Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in School Based Education Support
Education support staff work alongside teachers in primary and secondary classrooms, helping students follow the lesson and stay engaged.
- How long it takes
- 6 to 12 months
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $1,590
- Subsidised at TAFE Queensland, full fee up to $10,023
- How you can study
- Online, on campus or a mix
- Main job
- Teacher Aide
- $69,800 median pay
- Taught by
- 26 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in School Based Education Support asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- patience when working with students at different levels
- an interest in helping children learn to read and write
- comfort working alongside teachers in a busy classroom
- respect for student privacy and school rules
Before you start
Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.
Certificate III or Certificate IV?
The Certificate IV in School Based Education Support is the higher level. This Certificate III covers assisting teachers and supporting student learning in classrooms, with work under guidance and within set policies.
See the courseWhere this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Teacher Aide
Teacher aides work alongside a classroom teacher, supporting students one to one or in small groups so the rest of the class can keep learning.
What else you need
Complete the classroom placement and applicable school and jurisdiction screening requirements; this is not teacher registration.
Median pay$69,800
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $1,590
at TAFE Queensland. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$4,905 to $10,023
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,600 | $240 | $8,410 | 6 to 12 months |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $10,023 | |||
| The Gordon | VIC | $4,372 | $878 | $8,618 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $1,590 | $1,170 | $4,905 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $1,600
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $8,410
- How long
- 6 to 12 months
GOTAFEVIC
- Full fee
- $10,023
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $4,372
- Concession
- $878
- Full fee
- $8,618
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $1,590
- Concession
- $1,170
- Full fee
- $4,905
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 26 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Website for Melbourne Polytechnic (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
13 campuses, VIC
3.7from 485 Google reviews
What students like
- Some teachers are supportive and go out of their way
- Student services offer understanding and compassion
What to weigh up
- Messages to staff can go unanswered
- Enrolment mistakes can take time to fix
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
11 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- How long
- 6 to 12 months
- Fee
- From $1,600 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Charles Darwin University (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
12 campuses, NSW, NT
4.2from 619 Google reviews
What students like
- Admin and support staff are helpful
What to weigh up
- Units vary depending on the lecturer
- Feedback on assessments can vary
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
10 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- Fee
- From $1,590 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
- Website for Alffie (opens in a new tab)
Alffie
2 campuses, VIC
2.7from 84 Google reviews
What to weigh up
- Staff can be slow to reply
- Course materials can contain errors
- Website for Box Hill Institute (opens in a new tab)
Box Hill Institute
4 campuses, VIC
3.0from 372 Google reviews
What students like
- Teachers are friendly and supportive
- Course content is practical and relevant
What to weigh up
- Admin replies can be slow
- Course organisation can be inconsistent
What you’ll learn
15 units: 10 that everyone takes and 5 you choose.
- Literacy and oral language
- Numeracy support
- Students with additional needs
- Supporting student behaviour
- Health, safety and wellbeing
- Legal and ethical obligations
See all 10 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It prepares you to assist teachers and support student learning in primary and secondary classrooms, completing administrative and operational tasks under a teacher's guidance. You work with discretion and judgement within established policies. It leads to roles like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Worker and Teacher Aide.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
Entry requirements are set by each provider, so check with the provider you choose.
How is it different from Certificate IV in School Based Education Support?
The Certificate IV in School Based Education Support is the higher level. This Certificate III covers assisting teachers and supporting student learning in classrooms, with work under guidance and within set policies.