Published: 15th October 2019. Last modified: 1st August 2024.
Written by Melinda Irvine
The Certificate III in Education Support is a practical certification that immediately qualifies graduating students for roles as teacher’s aids, tutors, integration aids, and community education workers. In this article we’ll be looking at four career paths in education support — what they do and where they work. If you’re about to enrol in the Educational Support genre, this article focuses on real world outcomes.
CAREER QUICK FACTS: According to joboutlook.gov.au, employment prospects for education support workers are excellent — with high growth expected in this employment sector over the next 3-5 years.
Teacher’s Aids
Teacher’s Aids work in a school classroom supporting the teacher and helping students. Teacher’s Aids photocopy lesson plans, collect assignments, setup and prepare equipment for recreational activities, and often work one-on-one with students as they read or attempt a class project.
Teacher’s Aids are invaluable to the development of kids with learning difficulties or behavioural problems — and many employed Teacher’s Aids find this an extremely rewarding aspect of their career. Boost your employment prospects by obtaining a:
Home Tutors
Home Tutors are in demand all over Australia supporting pre-schoolers, primary, and high school aged children with their school work. You can work as a private tutor helping kids excel in their academic studies, or focus on kids with learning difficulties who require extra literacy and numeracy focus. Expand your services by obtaining a:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Education Workers
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Education Workers are employed at preschools, public schools, community centres, and regional support organisations helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Some of this work is conducted in the classroom (completing assignments, supporting the teacher), but many ATSI Education Workers also provide home-school liaison and counselling for the students as well as their families.
Boost your employability by obtaining:
Integration Aids
Integration Aids work at schools, pre-schools, and early childhood centres helping students who have disabilities or other special needs integrate into general education classes. Some Integration Aids are assigned to a single teacher or classroom, while others work long-term with a specific student — assisting them in all aspects of their school life.
To succeed in this role you’ll need patience, problem solving, and advanced active listening skills.
In Australia there is a growing demand for qualified Integration Aids and your employment prospects (and earning capacity) will certainly increase by undertaking complementary studies. We recommend:
If you're ready to start a rewarding career in education support enquire with a provider for more information about the Certificate III in Education Support.