Study CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support online
CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support is designed for people who want to develop practical skills for supporting students and teachers in primary, secondary and specialist school settings.
Phillips Institute delivers the course through flexible, self-paced online learning and assessment, with optional virtual classes and trainer support. Practical skills are developed through workplace-based activities, including at least 100 hours of work in a classroom environment within an Australian school.
The qualification may suit people entering education support for the first time, as well as existing Teacher Aides, Learning Support Officers, Integration Aides and other education support workers who want to strengthen or formalise their skills.
Course at a glance
- Qualification: CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support
- Delivery: Flexible self-paced online learning and assessment with optional virtual support
- Duration: Approximately 9 months, with up to 3 months additional time available where required
- Workplace requirement: Minimum 100 hours of work in a classroom environment within an Australian primary, secondary or specialist school catering to primary or secondary school students. Eligible students who already work in a suitable school may be able to complete this requirement through their employment.
- Direct observation: Some units require workplace performance to be directly observed by a Phillips Institute assessor
- Regional and interstate students: Live remote workplace observation may be used where the assessment requirements can be fully met and the placement school approves the arrangement
- Placement support: Students are encouraged to identify a suitable local school, with support and guidance from Phillips Institute
- Qualification structure: 17 units of competency – 13 core and 4 electives
- Previous experience: Not required
- RPL and credit transfer: Available for eligible applicants with relevant previous training, skills or education support experience
- Commencement: Flexible commencement is available
Who is this course suitable for?
CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support may suit people who want to begin or develop a career supporting students and teachers in school environments.
It may be particularly suitable if you:
- want to become a Teacher Aide, Learning Support Officer, Integration Aide or Education Support Worker;
- already work in a school and want to strengthen or formalise your education support skills;
- want to support students with literacy, numeracy or additional learning needs;
- are interested in supporting students with disability, autism or behavioural support needs;
- want to build practical skills for working with students individually and in small groups;
- have substantial current education support experience that may be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning; or
- want a nationally recognised qualification that can support further study or career development in education.
What will I learn?
The Phillips Institute program develops practical skills for supporting students, teachers and learning activities across a range of school environments.
Training includes areas such as:
- supporting student literacy learning;
- supporting student mathematics learning;
- assisting with classroom learning activities;
- working with students who require additional learning support;
- supporting students with disability;
- supporting students with autism spectrum disorder;
- supporting the implementation of behaviour plans;
- contributing to student health, safety and wellbeing;
- meeting legal and ethical responsibilities in education support;
- supporting student development across learning domains;
- supervising students outside the classroom;
- working with diverse people; and
- reflecting on and improving your professional practice.
Teacher Aide and Learning Support Officer roles
Education support workers assist teachers and students with learning, participation, wellbeing and day-to-day classroom activities.
Their work may include:
- supporting individual students or small groups with learning activities;
- assisting students with literacy and numeracy tasks;
- supporting students with disability or additional learning needs;
- helping implement teacher-developed learning and behaviour support strategies;
- preparing learning materials and classroom resources;
- supporting student participation, communication and independence;
- supervising students in classrooms and other school environments;
- observing and reporting relevant information to teachers; and
- working collaboratively with teachers and other education professionals.
Job titles and duties vary between schools and education systems. Common titles may include Teacher Aide, Learning Support Officer, Education Support Worker or Integration Aide.
Online study and school placement
CHC40225 is delivered through flexible, self-paced online learning and assessment with optional virtual support from trainers.
You can complete theory, knowledge assessments, projects and other learning activities online while progressing towards the practical workplace requirements of the qualification.
The qualification requires a minimum of 100 hours of work in a classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Australia.
Students are encouraged to approach suitable primary, secondary or specialist schools in their local area for placement. Phillips Institute provides guidance and support to help you identify and arrange a suitable placement, and can provide further assistance if you experience difficulty finding an appropriate school.
Several units require the student’s workplace performance to be directly observed by a qualified Phillips Institute assessor. For students outside Melbourne, these observations may be conducted live by video where this meets the requirements of the relevant unit and the placement school approves the arrangement.
Regional and interstate students must therefore have access to a suitable Australian school that can support the required placement activities and assessor observations. Placement suitability, school approval and observation arrangements will be reviewed before or during the enrolment and placement planning process.
If the required workplace observations cannot be completed remotely and an onsite assessor cannot reasonably be arranged, Phillips Institute may not be able to support the practical assessment requirements at that location.
How long does CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support take?
The expected Phillips Institute course duration is approximately 9 months.
Students who require additional time to complete placement or assessment requirements may be eligible for an extension of up to 3 months.
Some students may complete sooner where eligible credit transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning applies.
Entry and study requirements
CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support has no formal qualification entry requirements.
You do not need to complete Certificate III in School Based Education Support before enrolling.
Applicants need suitable English language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills for Certificate IV level study, together with access to a suitable computer and reliable internet connection.
Phillips Institute completes a pre-training review as part of the enrolment process to help determine whether the course and level of study are suitable for each applicant.
Before school placement, students must meet the requirements of the host school. These include an appropriate Working with Children Check and may also include a National Police Check or other school-specific requirements.
Regional and interstate applicants should discuss their proposed school placement and availability for live remote assessor observation with Phillips Institute before commencing the practical component of the course.
Recognition of Prior Learning and credit transfer
If you have previously completed relevant nationally recognised training, you may be eligible for credit transfer for equivalent units already achieved.
Experienced Teacher Aides, Learning Support Officers, Integration Aides and other education support workers may also be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) where they can provide sufficient current evidence of their skills and knowledge.
RPL is assessed individually against the requirements of each relevant unit of competency. Workplace evidence may include examples of education support activities, supervisor confirmation, workplace documents and assessor observation where required.
Where a unit requires direct assessor observation, RPL applicants must still meet the assessment conditions for that unit. For regional or interstate candidates, live remote observation may be considered where it can validly meet the unit requirements and the workplace approves the arrangement.
Where RPL does not fully meet a unit’s requirements, Phillips Institute can identify any remaining assessment or gap-training requirements.
Units of competency
CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support consists of 17 units of competency: 13 core units and 4 elective units. Phillips Institute’s program includes the units listed below, selected to develop practical skills for teacher aide, learning support and other education support roles in primary, secondary and specialist school settings.
Core units (13)
- CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people
- CHCECE054 – Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures
- CHCEDS033 – Meet legal and ethical obligations in an education support environment
- CHCEDS045 – Support student mathematics learning
- CHCEDS046 – Support student literacy learning
- CHCEDS047 – Assist in facilitation of student learning
- CHCEDS048 – Work with students in need of additional learning support
- CHCEDS051 – Facilitate learning for students with disabilities
- CHCEDS056 – Provide support to students with autism spectrum disorder
- CHCEDS058 – Support the implementation of behaviour plans
- CHCEDS059 – Contribute to the health, safety and wellbeing of students
- CHCPRP003 – Reflect on and improve own professional practice
- CHCPRT025 – Identify and report children and young people at risk
Elective units (4)
- CHCEDS035 – Contribute to student education in all developmental domains
- CHCEDS036 – Support the development of literacy and oral language skills
- CHCEDS049 – Supervise students outside the classroom
- HLTWHS001 – Participate in workplace health and safety
Workplace requirement: CHC40225 requires a minimum of 100 hours of work in a classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Australia. Placement may be completed in a suitable primary, secondary or specialist school catering to primary or secondary school students.
Phillips Institute supports students to identify and arrange a suitable local school placement. Your trainer and our placement team will provide guidance once you are ready to commence your practical placement.
Elective units may be subject to change in accordance with qualification packaging rules and training requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support online?
Yes. Phillips Institute offers flexible self-paced online learning with optional virtual classes and support. You can study the theory and assessment components online, but you must also complete the required practical placement in a suitable Australian school.
How long does CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support take?
The expected course duration is approximately 9 months. An extension of up to 3 months may be available where additional time is required to complete placement or assessment requirements.
Do I need Certificate III in School Based Education Support before enrolling?
No. CHC40225 has no formal qualification entry requirement and you do not need to have completed Certificate III in School Based Education Support first. Applicants complete Phillips Institute’s pre-training review to help determine whether the course and level of study are suitable for them.
What jobs can CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support lead to?
Graduates may seek education support roles such as Teacher Aide, Education Support Worker, Learning Support Officer or Integration Aide. Job titles and employment requirements vary between schools, education systems and states or territories.
Does CHC40225 require school placement?
Yes. The qualification requires at least 100 hours of work in a classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Australia. This practical experience allows you to apply your learning and demonstrate required education support skills in the workplace.
Can I study CHC40225 if I live outside Melbourne or interstate?
Potentially. You will need access to a suitable Australian primary, secondary or specialist school for the required placement. Several units require direct assessor observation of your workplace performance. For regional and interstate students, Phillips Institute may conduct these observations live by video where the assessment requirements can be fully met and the placement school agrees. Placement suitability and observation arrangements should be confirmed before the practical component begins.
Do I need to find my own school placement?
Students are encouraged to approach suitable primary, secondary or specialist schools in their local area for placement. Phillips Institute provides guidance and support to help you identify and arrange a suitable placement, and can provide further assistance if you experience difficulty finding an appropriate school.
What checks do I need before school placement?
Students must meet the requirements of the school hosting their placement. These include an appropriate Working with Children Check and may also include a National Police Check and other school-specific requirements. Phillips Institute provides information to help students prepare before placement.
What is the difference between CHC40221 and CHC40225?
CHC40225 is the current version of Certificate IV in School Based Education Support and replaces CHC40221. The qualifications are considered equivalent, with the main update being the replacement of the previous child protection unit with the current CHCPRT025 Identify and report children and young people at risk.
Can I apply for RPL or credit transfer?
Yes. If you have completed relevant previous qualifications or units, or have substantial current experience working in education support, you may be eligible for credit transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning. Eligibility is assessed individually against the requirements of the relevant units of competency.
Still have questions about Certificate IV in School Based Education Support?
Talk to Phillips Institute about online study, school placement, entry requirements, previous education support experience, RPL or credit transfer, or whether CHC40225 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support is suitable for your career goals.
Related courses and further study
After completing CHC40225, you may choose to continue into higher education studies in primary or secondary teaching, specialist education, disability support or other education-related fields. You may also be interested in the CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health offered by Phillips Institute.