If this course is deemed competitive, you will be informed during your application via TAFE Admissions and additional entrance requirements will apply.

You'll be able to access your personal timetable (find out how on our Timetables page), once you have paid your fees. In the meantime the information below provides an indication of the time commitment required to complete this course, depending on available study options.

On campus delivery

A typical timetable runs Monday to Friday, from 9:00am - 2:45pm

You will also have to complete a 2 week full-time block of work placement in term 1 and a 3 week full-time block of work placement in term 2, run Monday to Friday.

There is also an option to study On campus part-time over 12 months, please contact us to discuss your options.

Online delivery  (12 month course)

The majority of your study happens via our online platform, Blackboard. You will work through online units containing readings, videos, web links, journal articles and more. You will need to devote between 10 and 15 hours to online study and assessment work each week.

Orientation

Orientation is compulsory and provides you with important information regarding your studies. Mandatory orientation for online study will be available in a Collaborate session via Blackboard.

Delivery

You will also attend live lectures online two days per week (Monday and Wednesday) from 9:30am - 11:30am. These lectures are recorded so that you can listen to them if you miss a class.

Although the majority of your study is online, there are approximately 6 mandatory on campus days across the year. These include practical assessment and simulation days, work placement preparation days and debrief days. If you cannot come on to campus for these days, you will not be able to pass this course.

Work placement

Your mandatory work placement in a school will happen in two blocks - 2 weeks of full-time placement in Semester 1 of study and 3 weeks in your final semester of study.

North Metropolitan TAFE facilitates work placements for students studying online exclusively within the Perth Metro area. As part of our placement protocols, we have established the following geographic boundaries: Rockingham to the south, Two Rocks to the north, and Mundaring to the east.

Students living outside the Perth Metropolitan area are more than welcome to enrol in our courses. However, students must commit to attending the on-campus assessment days at our Leederville campus and fulfilling their 5 weeks of full-time work placement in a Metro school.

Please note if you choose to study online, you'll need all of the technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.

This timetable information is indicative only and subject to change.

Other job titles may include:

• Integration Aide
• Preschool Aide
• Kindergarten Assistant
• School Services Officer

Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations. 

Visit one of our four Jobs and Skills Centres located at NMT's Balga, Joondalup, Midland and Perth campuses for free career planning advice and job search support. You can find out more about a career in education, including tips for finding jobs, interview practice hints, clues about what employers are looking for and more.

On successful completion of the Certificate III you will have up to 8 units of credit towards the Certificate IV in School Based Education Support, adding only one additional Semester of study.

As part of this qualification, you will undertake a supervised work placement where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned in a classroom setting. A suitable industry work placement will be arranged for you.

You will complete at least 25 full days of work placement in a school setting. The dates and times of placement are set by NMTAFE and cannot be changed. Full-time placement means 5 days per week from 15 minutes before the students’ start, until 15 minutes after they finish. For most schools, the working day would be 8.15am - 3.15pm. 
Dress requirements - smart casual dress at all times.

Please see the timetable section for more information on work placement based on your choice of study mode/delivery.

Before attending work placement you will be required to obtain:

• Working with Children Check (WWCC), and 
• Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (Education Department of WA), or
• WA Department of Education Confidential Declaration Form (if under 18 years of age)

The Working with Children Check forms will be available for collection in the first two weeks of study and must be uploaded onto our system by week 6 of study to be eligible for placement.

In the first week of study, you will be required to sit a literacy and numeracy test to ascertain your suitability for the course.

Please note one of the units required to achieve this qualification, HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting is not offered within the Education Support area at North Metropolitan TAFE, you will need to complete this unit with First Aid training provider such as St John Ambulance and provide evidence of completion to gain credit for the unit.

Study outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research will be required to successfully complete your course.

Bring your own device (BYOD) is encouraged but not essential. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.

As a student you will also have additional costs associated with your study, for example text books and stationery, printing and other materials required for your assignments.