CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support
Make a meaningful difference to the lives of students. Learn how you can help children with diverse needs feel engaged and supported in the classroom with this 12-month certificate.
Course essentials
Qualification Code
Entry requirements
Duration
Locations
Course overview
Education support officers provide tailored support to children with diverse needs. This can significantly improve the academic progress, confidence, and overall wellbeing of a student with intellectual, physical or behavioural needs.
This course is designed to prepare you to work effectively and collaboratively under the guidance of a teacher or other education professional. You’ll learn how to assist with maintaining student records and how to deliver targeted literacy and numeracy support to small groups of students or specific pupils.
The Certificate IV in School Based Education Support covers:
• supporting students to build literacy and numeracy skills
• supporting students with additional needs in the classroom environment
• assisting with planned educational programs
• working with students and colleagues
• using an e-learning management system.
Please note that this course is currently in a transition period (superseded due to Government-mandated updates), with updates due for release shortly. Rest assured, your enrolment journey will allow for you to be transitioned into the current course version for completion. This will occur before the 22nd December, 2026. If you have any questions, please submit an enquiry.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Federation TAFE
Career paths
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
2026 indicative fees
The fees you pay will depend on your eligibility for a Victorian Government subsidised place under the Skills First Program. The indicative fees displayed below are estimates for the total course and may change depending on individual circumstances at enrolment.
Fees are subject to change annually.
| Concession Government Subsidised Place | Standard Government Subsidised Place | Full Fee Place (Not eligible for government subsidy) |
|---|---|---|
| $759 | $3,793 | $10,408 |
Material fees
This covers things like tools, stationery, uniforms, textbooks, excursions and so on. Expect the cost to be around $15.
Other study costs
Textbooks: “Supporting Education 4th Edition” – Karen Kearns, “Targeting Maths Dictionary” – Garda Turner (optional)
Other important information
If you need help managing your fee payments, you might be eligible for a direct debit payment plan. Students doing certificate-level TAFE courses can access payment plans for both tuition and materials fees. Diploma and advanced diploma students can access payment plans for materials fees only.
If you’re accessing government-subsidised training under the Skills First Program, doing this course might affect your ability to access future government-subsidised training.
If you’re eligible to enrol in a course under the Victorian Government Free TAFE initiative, the tuition would be free but you’d still have to pay the materials fee (if applicable).
Find out more about fees, payments and refunds.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 1, 2026
Locations
Mt Helen (on campus)
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.
Contact hours
Classes 2 days per week: - 1 day on campus 9.30am – 4.30pm. 1 day online. 9:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Additional study time is required to complete assessments, reading, and activities. We recommend that approximately 10 hours per week should be put aside for these activities.
Work integrated learning
This course requires students to complete a 120-hour practical placement. During your placement you’ll watch and learn from other professionals. You’ll practice using your discretion and judgment when carrying out your work in the context of established policies and procedures.
Our team will help to find placement opportunities with local organisations. Prior to placement, we help guide you through the mandatory documents required (police check, Working with Children Check) and then confirm your placement hours.
Sample course structure
This is a list of units available in this course. Which units you enrol in will depend on the course and stream available.
- Work with diverse peopleCHCDIV001
- Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait islander peoples' culturesCHCECE054
- Meet legal and ethical obligations in an education support environmentCHCEDS033
- Support student mathematics learningCHCEDS045
- Support student literacy learningCHCEDS046
- Assist in facilitation of student learningCHCEDS047
- Work with students in need of additional learning supportCHCEDS048
- Facilitate learning for students with disabilitiesCHCEDS051
- Provide support to students with autism spectrum disorderCHCEDS056
- Support the implementation of behaviour plansCHCEDS058
- Contribute to the health, safety and wellbeing of students (CHCEDS059
- Reflect on and improve own professional practiceCHCPRP003
- Identify and respond to children and young people at riskCHCPRT001
- Contribute to student education in all developmental domainsCHCEDS035
- Supervise students outside the classroomCHCEDS049
- Provide First Aid in an education and care settingHLTAID012
- Participate in workplace health and safetyHLTWHS001
Entry requirements
Applicants must have successfully obtained a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and Police Check prior to undertaking their first work placement or any work based experiences.
For all TAFE applications, pre-training review questions and a literacy and numeracy review are part of the application process.
How you apply will depend on your current situation. Visit our how to apply page for options and instructions.
After you submit your application, we’ll get you to do an online literacy and numeracy review to help us understand where you’re at (and if the course you’re applying for is a good fit). We’ll give you feedback and offer you support if needed.
For information about students’ rights and responsibilities, please refer to the VET Information Guide.
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- LBJ
- National course code
- CHC40221
CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Hear from our students
Hi, my name is Maddie and I'm studying a Bachelor of Education. I'm specialising in inclusive Ed and I'm in my third year of studies. I chose to study at Fed Uni because it is close to home and because I had a few friends who were studying here as well. I would recommend federation to those considering studying because of the placement opportunities they have here. This year as part of my diversity placement I was given the opportunity to travel to the NT to a remote indigenous community. This option was available to all students in my degree in the third year and it was made even more accessible as the majority of the accommodation and flights were funded by the Uni Arunga. The community I was placed in was the most beautiful little community with wonderful students and incredible classroom facilities. I'm so glad and proud of myself for taking that leap of faith because now I have so many more skills and experiences under my belt. This opportunity will be something I'll happily share with anyone and we'll think about forever. I really couldn't recommend this programme more.