Course Overview
Course Duration: Students have up to 18 months to complete the course (Self-Paced), including the 100 hours of work placement.
*Enrolments are currently restricted to QLD based students, please see the accepted LGA’s listed in the course overview.
Please note: It is the student’s responsibility to source the school they wish to conduct their placement in.
This qualification reflects the role of workers who assist teachers and support student learning in a range of classroom settings under the guidance of a teacher or other educational professional. At this level, workers may be involved in facilitation of learning for a range of instructional groupings, including for those students in need of additional support. In these roles, the education support worker sources and analyses information from diverse sources, may work with limited direct supervision and could provide guidance to other workers.
Education support roles can give great work/life balance! It is a rewarding career, helping shape the lives of our future generation.
Currently enrolment into this course is restricted to the below QLD Local Government Areas:
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- Logan
- Ipswich
- Redland
- Moreton Bay
- Scenic Rim
- Somerset
- Sunshine Coast
- Lockyer Valley
- Toowoomba
This qualification is funded by the Queensland Government for eligible students. Check your eligibility HERE.
This funding source is open to any Queensland resident aged 15 years or over who is no longer at school and is an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency. A co-contribution fee of $50 or $25 concession is payable for this qualification.
For more information on Higher Level Skills Funding, please visit our funding page HERE.
Please note: Within this course, there is a mandatory work placement requirement of a minimum of 100 hours, enabling you to graduate highly skilled and confident. The placement must be completed in a classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Australia. Students will be required to complete assessment tasks whilst in the workplace, with some requirements for direct observation by a First Choice College Assessor. Students will be required to source their own placement.
- Expected Outcomes
Education support roles can give great work/life balance as it is one of few careers where you get all the school holidays off. It is a rewarding career, helping shape the lives of our future generation. By participating in this program, you can expect to attain the following outcomes:
- Use positive support techniques to support the behaviour of children and/or young people.
- Establish learning environments to facilitate the learning process.
- Adapting education resources to meet the needs of students with learning difficulties.
- Implement student self-management strategies.
- Implement work practices which supports the protection of children and young people.
- Support literacy and mathematics learning.
- Participate in workplace health and safety.
- Practical skills through a 100-hour work placement in an education environment.
- Career Opportunities
Possible job roles relevant to this qualification include:
- Education Support Worker
- Teacher Aide
- Teacher Assistant
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander education worker
- Education Assistant
- Literacy Worker
- Target Group Description
The target market for the delivery of the training product is identified as having 1 distinct group, which we refer to as a cohort (See “Structure” tab for more information).
Group/Cohort 1: General Stream
- This offering is aimed at students who are already working in an education setting, or
- Seeking employment within an education setting.
- Pre-Enrolment Requirements
Student Liaison Officer Contact
During your enrolment application period, a Student Liaison Officer will contact you to run through the entry requirements specific to your course application and answer any questions that you may have about your enrolment.
Required Course Entry Skills
Existing skills needed to complete this qualification include:
- Computer skills such as typing and sending an email, and opening PDF documents,
- Basic skills to use your own printer and scanner,
- Basic skills to use Microsoft Office programs such as Word and PowerPoint such as creating and saving a new file, adding and editing text, tables, images and font,
- Basic internet skills to undertake online research.
Resources needed to complete the course
You will need to ensure you have access to the following resources:
- Stable internet connection with a minimum download speed of 3mbps,
- Go to speedtest.net to perform a speed test of your internet connection
- An email account – can be created through Yahoo, Hotmail and Gmail,
- Microsoft Office (2010 version or later) – must include Word, Excel and PowerPoint,
- Compatible operating systems – Windows 8 and higher, or MAC,
- Current version of a web browser – Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox,
- Latest version of Adobe Reader,
- Video recording device that produces clear footage and audio,
- Desktop computer/laptop,
- Printer and scanner,
- Video conferencing software (Zoom),
- Classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Australia, where a minimum of 100 hours of work placement can be undertaken.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
A USI is a 10-character string unique to you which is needed to undertake nationally recognised training with First Choice College, such as applying into this program. All you need is a form of Australian identification, and 10 minutes of your time to create one. Click HERE to create a USI.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Indicator Tool
To determine a student’s learning support needs and eligibility for enrolment, prior to confirmation of enrolment, you may be required to complete the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Indicator Tool. an LLN report will be developed and utilised by your trainer and assessor to ensure your individual learning needs are supported throughout the duration of your studies. Any potential learning support strategies to address your LLN needs may be discussed with your trainer and assessor.
- Additional Course Requirements
Work Placement Requirements
Prior to commencing your course, you will need to show that you have:
- A pending Working With Children Check (or Blue Card),
- A pending National Police Check.
These requirements are necessary for enrolment into this course, as students must be able to meet these requirements in order to complete the mandatory 100 placement hours within an education environment.
Location Requirements
Currently enrolment into this course is restricted to the below QLD Local Government Areas:
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- Logan
- Ipswich
- Redland
- Moreton Bay
- Scenic Rim
- Somerset
- Sunshine Coast
- Lockyer Valley
- Toowoomba
- Educational and Support Services
First Choice College will review your LLN Indicator results to determine if support services and reasonable adjustments are required. Reasonable adjustment options are available to accommodate anyone who may have a learning need, disability or impairment. Reasonable adjustments that are made to the training materials and assessments are recorded in the student’s file.
Prospective students who require other support services (not listed) can call the office to discuss the options available prior to enrolment.
Learner need Method of support offered by First Choice College Language barriers - Explain concepts in clear terms over the telephone
Visual impairment - Enlarge the font size of learning materials
Literacy issues - Allow students to be assessed in person at the office of First Choice College by an assessor
Learning difficulties - Dedicated Learning Support Trainers
- Additional Learning Support Supplements individually tailored from LLN results
- Access to Foundation Skills Training
Trainer Support
Your trainer is available to support you during business hours and outside of normal business hours by appointment, either via email at rto@fcc.edu.au or by telephone on (07) 5689 5060 during office hours. There is no additional cost to speak with a trainer, as trainer support is included in your course fee. Our trainers are passionate industry experts who are available to guide you through your learning experience.
Administration Department
First Choice College has a dedicated Administration Department which provides administrative support to enrolled students. Contact may be made by email at rto@fcc.edu.au or by telephone (07) 5689 5060 during business hours.
- Structure
This course comprises 17 units of competency, of which 13 are core units, and 4 are elective units.
Unit Code Unit title CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships CHCECE054 Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ culture 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 & CHCEDS057 (CLUSTER) Work with students in need of additional learning support & Support students with additional needs in the classroom (CLUSTER) CHCEDS051 Facilitate learning for students with disabilities CHCEDS056 Provide support to students with autism spectrum disorder CHCEDS058 & CHCEDS061 (CLUSTER) Support the implementation of behaviour plans & Support responsible student behaviour (CLUSTER) CHCEDS059 Contribute to the health, safety and wellbeing of students - Mode of Delivery
First Choice College utilises a combination of modes to deliver the training and assessment components of the course. This includes online training, trainer support, self-paced study, distance-based assessing and direct observation. Features of our delivery mode include:
- The online training refers to the learning activities which take place through the online Portal.
- Trainer support refers to email and telephone contact with the trainers which is available to all students as and when required.
- Students must complete and upload the assessments via the Student Portal or submit these for marking via email to rto@fcc.edu.au.
- Self-paced study is a mandatory requirement of completing the course.
- Student Access to Resources
Once your enrolment application has been approved (e.g., after meeting the entry requirements), You will receive access to the following learning and assessment resources:
- Contact details for your allocated trainer,
- Access to your e-book,
- Access to the first 3 units of competency via the Student Portal.
- Duration
Students have up to 18 months to complete the course from the day of commencement, including the 100 hours of work placement.
Your course will commence once your enrolment application has been finalised and enrolment fees have been paid. Notification of your course commencing is sent via email with your eighteen-month course period being defined in the official Enrolment Letter. Access to your course materials will be available through your student log-in on the day your course commences.
- Amount of Training and Assessment
The amount of training is calculated based on the following formal learning activities:
- Mandatory work placement
This will take place at a workplace in an educational setting. Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to organise work placement.
- Total duration of mandatory work placement for Cohort 1 is 100 hours
- Self-paced study
Self-paced study includes accessing the learner guides and associated readings, independent research, and trainer interaction via email and telephone.
- Cohort 1 (General Stream) total self-paced study is 659 hours
Where students present with Credit Transfers and/or RPL the self-paced study hours would be reduced accordingly.
Based on the above formal learning activities, the total amount of training is:
- Cohort 1 (General Stream) total amount of training is 759 hours
*Mandatory work placement hours are allocated to units of competency that specifically require performance of skills to a minimum duration of hours.
- Information Regarding Assessments
Each module in this course contains a range of assessments including written questions and project based practical assessments.
Assessment Marking System
Every assessment has been developed against the competency standards in each unit. Competency standards include elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, critical aspects for assessment, performance evidence, knowledge evidence, foundation skills and assessment conditions. You will be assessed against all of these standards. If your assessment responses satisfactorily meet all standards you will receive a satisfactory result. If they do not, then your assessors will provide assessment feedback to you and give you the opportunity to resubmit your assessment addressing just the areas where you have not met the standards.
For more information about how results are determined, please refer to the Student Handbook.
Assessment Resubmissions
Assessments will need to be attempted in full before being submitted for marking. You have up to three (3) attempts to demonstrate competency in each unit. If you are deemed Not Yet Satisfactory (NYS) on the third attempt, you are able to apply for re-assessment, however a $50.00 re-assessment fee applies. You will then have a further three attempts to demonstrate competency. If you are still unable to demonstrate competency after three further attempts, your enrolment will be reviewed by the Operations Manager before any further enrolment is permitted. Please refer to the fee schedule located in the Student Handbook.
- Recognition Processes
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
First Choice College offers an RPL assessment only pathway for this course! If you currently or have recently worked/volunteered as a teacher aide, please contact our office on (07) 5689 5060 to discuss this option with one of our qualified trainers.
First Choice College offers students the opportunity to be assessed through recognition of prior learning. You have up to three (3) opportunities to submit your RPL application for review. If there are gaps in your RPL evidence, then you will be required to complete the remaining gaps through formal assessments which will be organised by your RPL assessor. This may result in being enrolled in specific units to complete some training and assessment for whole units and/or parts of units.
Credit Transfer (CT)
First Choice College recognises statements of attainment and qualifications issued by other registered training organisations (RTOs). There is no charge to transfer these into your enrolled program, just ensure you can send these through as evidence.
- Course Fees
Funded Students
This qualification is funded by the Queensland Government for eligible students. Check your eligibility HERE.
This funding source is open to any Queensland resident aged 15 years or over who is no longer at school and is an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency. A co-contribution fee of $50 or $25 concession is payable for this qualification.
For more information on Higher Level Skills, please visit our funding page HERE.
Fee For Service Students
First Choice College offers two payment options:
OPTION 1 – Upfront payment: Split payments over duration of course:
- First Payment of $1,170 to be made after enrolment has been finalised
- Second payment of $1,170 to be made after the completion of your 4th unit
- Final payment of $1,150 to be made after the completion of your 8th unit
- Total Price: $3,490
OPTION 2 – Payment plan: Payment of a $199 deposit with your enrolment application, followed by 52 weekly instalments of $67.12. Total Price: $3,689.24
- Your student journey begins by completing the enrolment application and payment of a $199 deposit. The remaining balance of your total investment will be 52 weekly instalments of $67.12.
- Signing an EziDebit Direct Debit Request form to authorise weekly direct payments from either your credit card or your bank account. First Choice College will email you a link to a pre-filled EziDebit Direct Debit Request form outlining the terms of the payment arrangement, after the initial investment fee is received. Follow the prompts and instructions provided to complete the form.
- Instalment payments will commence from your preferred plan starting date as nominated on your electronic EziDebit Direct Debit Request form. The weekly instalments of $67.12 will be directly debited each consecutive week until all fees are paid in full (52 weekly instalments).
- Your enrolment will commence upon receipt of your first debit into our account, which may take up to 3 business days to process.
Please note:
By opting to pay your course fees via a payment plan, you also agree to the EziDebit terms and conditions. EziDebit will charge the following fees to the student:
- Amex credit card transaction fee – 3.8% each time
- SMS Payment Reminder – $0.28 each time (applies if you select the field: ‘I authorise EziDebit to remind me of upcoming debits via SMS’)
- By selecting the payment plan option, you agree to making payment to the full financial commitment, regardless of whether you are a current or withdrawn student.
- Ezibebit can only process payments from Australian Bank Accounts and Australian Credit Cards.
Failed payment fees apply and are imposed by EziDebit. Refer to the EziDebit terms and conditions. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure there are sufficient funds in their nominated bank account or credit card, prior to the payment being made. Access to training materials, support services and the online learning system will discontinue if instalment payments are not received by First Choice College in accordance with the debit arrangement.
Note: Special offers, discounts, and sale prices are not available under the payment plan option.
- Miscellaneous
National Accreditation
First Choice College’s national accreditation profile was adapted from the National Register. training.gov.au is the official National Register on VET in Australia and is the authoritative source of information on Registered Training Organisations. You can check out our registration HERE
National Regulator
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), First Choice College is required to comply with the Standards for RTOs (2015) which is regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). You can find more information about the governing body HERE
Consumer rights
Once a prospective student has enrolled and paid for a course offered by First Choice College, each individual is entitled to exercise their right as a consumer in accordance with the Australian Consumer Law and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
For more information about our Refund Policy, you can refer to the Student Handbook.