How to become an Education Aide

Education Aide

Education aides assist teachers with the supervision and support of students and the delivery of learning programmes. They also provide support and assistance to students with special needs, including those with physical or intellectual disabilities, or behavioural issues.

Personal requirements for an Education Aide

  • Good communication skills
  • Patient in dealing with people
  • Mature and sensible
  • Able to work independently or as part of a team
  • Enjoy helping children learn
  • Able to accept direction and supervision

Education & Training for an Education Aide

You can work as an education aide without formal qualifications, but employers usually require Year 10. You will probably get some informal training on the job. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications. You may like to consider a VET qualification. Some courses provide training in specific education areas such as science, food or information technology. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.


Additional information

Before undertaking practical placements required by courses, students will need to obtain a Working with Children Check. A National Police Certificate may also be required. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Duties & Tasks of an Education Aide

Education aides:

  • Assist and participate in activities that improve the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children in schools and preschool centres
  • Prepare indoor or outdoor areas for learning or recreational activities
  • Assist children with intellectual, physical and behavioural difficulties with their academic studies
  • Assist students with physical challenges by lifting, positioning and exercising, and transferring them to or from transportation
  • Assist with personal hygiene, toileting and feeding requirements as required by each individual student
  • Undertake specific therapy tasks with individual students under the guidance of the teacher or nominated professional
  • Assist students with intellectual disabilities with the use of learning aids
  • Assist children individually to learn social skills
  • Assist with the preparation of teaching materials, copying and collating written or printed material
  • Distribute and collect lesson material.

Tasks

  • Assisting children with intellectual, physical and behavioural difficulties with their academic studies
  • Distributing and collecting lesson material
  • Assisting with preparing teaching aids, and copying and collating written and printed material
  • Providing home-school liaison and counselling for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori students and their families
  • Demonstrating, supervising and participating in activities which enhance the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children in schools and preschool centres
  • Assisting children individually to learn social skills
  • Preparing indoor and outdoor areas for learning and recreational activities
  • Providing assistance to small groups of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori students

Employment Opportunities for an Education Aide

Education aides are employed in primary and secondary schools and colleges. The hiring of support staff is usually done by the school's principal. Jobs may be full time or part time.Contact the Department of Education in your state or territory for more information.


Specializations

Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Education Worker

An aboriginal/torres strait islander education worker provides assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and liaises with educational bodies, government agencies and committees.

Education Aide - Braille

An education aide - braille provides assistance to blind or vision-impaired students and facilitates communication between teachers and other staff members.

Education Aide - Auslan

An education aide - auslan provides assistance to deaf and hard of hearing students and facilitates communication between teachers, other staff members, and hearing students.

Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Education Worker

An aboriginal/torres strait islander education worker provides assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and liaises with educational bodies, government agencies and committees.

Education Aide

Education aides assist teachers with the supervision and support of students and the delivery of learning programmes. They also provide support and assistance to students with special needs, including those with physical or intellectual disabilities, or behavioural issues.

Education Aide - Auslan

An education aide - auslan provides assistance to deaf and hard of hearing students and facilitates communication between teachers, other staff members, and hearing students.

Education Aide - Braille

An education aide - braille provides assistance to blind or vision-impaired students and facilitates communication between teachers and other staff members.

  • Average age
    Average age
    46 years
  • Future Growth
    Future Growth
    Very strong
  • Gender Share
    Gender Share
    90% female
  • Average full-time
    Average full-time
    39 hours
  • Weekly Pay
    Weekly Pay
    $1,094
  • Skill level rating
    Skill level rating
    Lower skill
  • Unemployment
    Unemployment
    Lower unemployment
  • Full-Time Share
    Full-Time Share
    22% Full-Time
  • Employment Size
    Employment Size
    90,500 workers
  • Employment Size
    Employment by state
    ACT: 1.4%
    NSW: 21.7%
    NT: 1.6%
    QLD: 27.3%
    SA: 6.6%
    TAS: 2.9%
    VIC: 22.2%
    WA: 16.3%
  • Employment Size
    Age brackets
    15-19: 2.1%
    20-24: 5.4%
    25-34: 10.6%
    35-44: 25.6%
    45-54: 34.1%
    55-59: 12.7%
    60-64: 6.7%
    65 and Over: 2.8%
  • Employment Size
    Education level
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 16.5%
    Bachelor degree: 11.6%
    Below Year 10: 4.5%
    Certificate III/IV: 35.2%
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 5.5%
    Year 10 and below: 10.6%
    Year 11: 4.9%
    Year 12: 15.7%
    Years 11 & 10: 17.5%
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