CHC30221 - Certificate III in School Based Education Support

Version Effective: 6th of March, 2026
Course Details

Course Summary

This qualification reflects the role of an education support worker who assists teachers and supports student learning in a range of classroom settings in primary or secondary schools, as defined by State/Territory legislation. Work requires the use of discretion and judgement within the boundaries of established policies and procedures and complete general administrative as well as operational tasks to support students. To achieve this qualification, students must have completed a total of at least 100 hours of work in a classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Australia.  The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.

Requirements - To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.

Entry Requirements

CQUniversity requires: completion of bksb (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy, numeracy and digital literacy assessment before enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher-level course.

The requirement to complete the Vocational Placement component for the duration of the qualification of at least 100 hours in a classroom environment within Primary or Secondary Schools. Placement is to be organised by the student, CQUniversity will assist where required.

The requirement to successfully obtain a Working With Children Check relevant to your state in Australia.

Access to a computer, internet and intermediate computer skills. 24 hour CQUniversity computer labs are available on selected campuses.

Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within a school environment, with a mandatory work placement of 100 hours at either Primary or Secondary Schools.

Within this time allocation, students can demonstrate the required vocational placement tasks and skills for other units as required for the qualification.

The total number of 100 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirements of workplace hours within this qualification.

Students completing Vocational Placement must complete a minimum of 100 hours of placement throughout the duration of the course. Each Cluster will require vocational placement and demonstration of the practical component in a classroom environment. 

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $4,410.00 (2026)
Subsidised Full Fee $1,080.00 (2026)
Subsidised Concession Fee $675.00 (2026)
Fee for service per unit $294.00 (2026)
Subsidised full fee per unit $72.00 (2026)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $221.00 (2026)
For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire or Apply Now
Study Area
  • Education and Humanities
Skill Area
  • Education Support
AQF Level Level 3: Certificate III

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

On completion of CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support, students can further their study opportunities and receive direct credits towards CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support.

Occupation includes education support workers assisting teachers in classroom settings within primary or secondary schools, as defined by State/Territory legislation.

Course Structures
COURSE STRUCTURE
ONLINE

Full-time 48 weeks - students enrol into two clusters at a time in the same study period.

Part-time 96 weeks - students enrol into one cluster at a time.

This course is delivered on Moodle and is competency and cluster-based; it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level. Students must complete all components of the assessment tasks within the course to be deemed competent.

The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within a school environment, with a mandatory work placement of at least 100 hours at either Primary or Secondary Schools. The total number of 100 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement of workplace hours within this qualification.

Students may be required to complete 240 hours of Vocational Placement within this course to demonstrate practical tasks, which is inclusive of the 100 hours required for units CHCEDS034 and CHCEDS035.

Students are to follow the sequence in the course planner.

If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study.

Cluster 8 consists of HLTAID012, and you will need to attend a CQU campus at either Gladstone, Mackay or Rockhampton to complete the practical requirements for this unit. Or, complete the unit HLTAID012 with another Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and submit a completed certificate to receive a credit for this unit.

  • Online
  • Domestic
COURSE STRUCTURE
START TAFE NOW (STN) - ONLINE

This course is delivered on Moodle for a period of 48 weeks, however as it is competency and cluster-based, it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level. Students must complete all components of the assessment tasks within the course to be deemed competent.

The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within a school environment, with a mandatory work placement of at least 100 hours at either Primary or Secondary Schools. The total number of 100 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement of workplace hours within this qualification.

Students may be required to complete 240 hours of Vocational Placement within this course to demonstrate practical tasks, which is inclusive of the 100 hours required for units CHCEDS034 and CHCEDS035.

Students are to follow the sequence in the course planner.

If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study.

Cluster 8 consists of HLTAID012, and you will need to attend a CQU campus at either Gladstone, Mackay or Rockhampton to complete the practical requirements for this unit. Or, complete the unit HLTAID012 with another Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and submit a completed certificate to receive a credit for this unit.

  • Online
  • Domestic
COURSE STRUCTURE
RPL STRUCTURE

RPL only - no training occurs. 

RPL involves an assessment process of an individual’s previously obtained skills and knowledge that has been achieved outside the formal education and training system. The duration is dependent on evidence collection by the candidate and approval of evidence by the CQUniversity assessor. 

Please refer to information on the CQUniversity website - Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit 

  • RPL/RCC/Credit
  • Domestic

Course Assessment Information

Assessment Types
Project
Third Party Verification
Practical Task
Written/Electronic Assessment
Other
RPL
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?

Domestic 2022 Availabilities

Online
START TAFE NOW (STN) - Online
RPL Structure

Domestic 2023 Availabilities

Online
START TAFE NOW (STN) - Online
RPL Structure

Domestic 2024 Availabilities

Online
Online
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
START TAFE NOW (STN) - Online
Online
November: Full Time/Part Time
RPL Structure

Domestic 2025 Availabilities

Online
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
START TAFE NOW (STN) - Online
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
RPL Structure

Domestic 2026 Availabilities

Online
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
START TAFE NOW (STN) - Online
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
RPL Structure
More Details

More Details

Enrolment Sequence

Please refer to the VET Course Planners for further details relating to the cluster enrolment sequence of this course. The student must enrol into all units of the cluster unless they are eligible for credit transfer of any unit/s completed within another qualification.


Compulsory Attendance Requirements

Students who are not currently working in an educational workplace must organise a voluntary work placement. All students will need to complete third-party reports, practical assessment, and a vocational placement logbook. These observations and reports will need to be signed off by a registered teacher. Students will be required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of placement throughout the duration of the course. 

All students will need to hold a Working with Children Check card prior to starting their practical work placement. Details of how to apply for one of these cards is on Moodle. 


Resource Requirements 

All resources for this qualification are available online through Moodle.