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.
To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of least 100 hours of work in a classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Australia
– A laptop / computer
– The internet
– A scanner, or a scanner app downloaded on their smart phone
Please advise our Training Coordinator at your initial telephone or personal meeting if you require additional support in your learning. This will allow a support plan to be devised before you commence your course.
This qualification can be completed through a traineeship pathway. Please contact Natalie Thornberry at natalie@nbmc.nsw.edu.au or call 9970 1053 for further information. New entrant traineeship course cost is currently fee free.
Training in priority qualifications is fee-free and fully funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.
Reasonable technical skills include but are not limited to:
Total number of units = 17
13 core units
4 elective units
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
| CHCEDS056 | Provide support to students with autism spectrum disorder |
| CHCEDS058 | Support the implementation of behaviour plan |
| CHCEDS033 | Meet legal and ethical obligations in an education support environment |
| CHCEDS059 | Contribute to the health, safety and wellbeing of students |
| CHCEDS051 | Facilitate learning for students with disabilities |
| CHCEDS047 | Assist in facilitation of student learning |
| CHCEDS048 | Work with students in need of additional learning support |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
| CHCEDS045 | Support student mathematics learning |
| CHCEDS046 | Support student literacy learning |
| CHCPRT001 | Identify and respond to children and young people at risk |
| CHCECE054 | Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures |
We have selected the following electives to meet industry requirements
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| HLTAID012 | Provide First Aid in an education and care setting |
| HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety |
| CHCEDS049 | Supervise students outside the classroom |
| CHCEDS050 | Support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander education |
Electives – 1 elective to be chosen by student
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
| CHCCCS010 | Maintain a high standard of service |
If you have a specific elective in mind which is not listed above, please let us know in your interview process.
To have this qualification awarded, you must complete all 17 units of competency – 13 core and 4 elective units.
Northern Beaches & Mosman College recognises that you may be able to demonstrate a particular competency based on prior learning, skills gained in the workforce, or skills otherwise gained.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) can be granted if you can demonstrate competency in all the performance criteria in the elements of a particular unit of competency (from a training package) or all the learning outcomes in a particular module (from an accredited course).
If you think you may be eligible for RPL in a prospective course, please contact the College for an initial discussion as to your suitability at least 2 weeks before the course commences, or for late enrolments, you must advise the Training Coordinator on enrolment. Students then have 3 weeks to lodge a fully completed application with all supporting documentation. Supporting and current evidence must be submitted with your application. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the evidence to support their claim for RPL. As RPL must be considered and assessed through one-on-one interaction between the applicant and assessor, the course fee remains the same (unless otherwise determined by a funding contract).
Applications received after this time will not be considered. Please be aware, if any of the training for units of competency for which you are applying for RPL are delivered while your application is still being considered, it is strongly recommended that you attend the related classes as we cannot guarantee that your application for RPL will be successful. As a guide the process will take between 2 and 4 weeks once your application has been submitted.
Steps in the RPL Assessment Process
If you decide you would like to investigate the possibility of RPL further:
Step 1 – Request a formal RPL Application Pack from NBMC
The pack will include an application form and details of the units of competency and competency skills required within the relevant qualification. The application must be fully completed with as much supporting documentation as possible before being returned to NBMC. Ensure that all the evidence that you provide is relevant to the units of competency for which you are applying for RPL. The more comprehensive the evidence is, the easier and faster the assessment process will be. You have 3 weeks on receiving the application to complete and return it to NBMC.
Step 2 – Conversation with Assessor
If required, the assessor will conduct a competency conversation with you. You will be required to answer questions related to the industry area to identify your current skills.
Step 3 – Practical demonstration of your skills
If required, the assessor will conduct a practical skills test at your workplace (if appropriate) or at another suitable venue. This, again, is an opportunity to demonstrate your level of competence. This assessment will be focussed on skills that are required in the qualification. Your assessor will identify the skills that he/she will want you to demonstrate.
Further steps
After the assessment, your assessor will give you information about the skills that have been recognised and whether you have gained any of units of competency applied for through RPL.
Northern Beaches & Mosman College recognises Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by other Registered Training Organisations (RTO) where the Training Package guidelines allow it.
If you have a current qualification from another RTO that you wish to seek credit for (towards a course offered by NBMC) you can apply to the College for recognition of this achievement, including Credit Transfer where appropriate. You will be required to give permission to NBMC to verify the authenticity of the qualifications provided by contacting the issuing Registered Training Organisation or by checking your Unique Student Identifier records.
You must make this application within one week of the commencement of the course.
Credit Transfer may only be awarded for whole units of competence that meet the packaging rules of the Qualification they are enrolled in. Where a mapping guide identified a partial credit, this will not be considered for credit transfer, and the applicant will be advised to seek RPL.
This qualification requires
The Certificate IV in School Based Education Support can provide a pathway to the Diploma of School Aged Education & Care/Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care and a Bachelor of Early Childhood.
All NBMC Trainers/Assessors are current industry professionals with the required qualifications to deliver and assess this course. Trainers draw upon and share their own experiences in the industry to ensure that the training delivered to you is current and relevant. For information about individual trainers, please click on the trainer name in the class details below for the trainer’s bio.
From 1 January 2015 it is a requirement of the Federal Government that all students undertaking nationally recognised training will need to obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This involves an easy online application. See USI Fact Sheet for information on how to apply for a USI go to the Unique Student Identifier (USI) Website for additional information. Please ensure when completing your enrolment information, that the details relating to your name are identical to those on the identification evidence (eg passport or driver’s licence) used when creating your USI, eg no abbreviations or nicknames should be used. Once created, it is important that you keep a record of your USI and access to your accredited training records in a safe place. You will need this information for any future enrolments into accredited training in Australia. Please contact the College on 9970 1000 if you require assistance.
Enjoy smaller class sizes, a personalised relationship with your trainer, face-to face teaching sessions and qualifications that include real life work experience, when you choose to study at Northern Beaches & Mosman College. (NBMC)
With classes available across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore in Brookvale and Mosman, the College offers increasing numbers of accredited and vocational qualifications. Students include those looking to upskill, to change career direction and school leavers keen to step onto a career pathway. Courses on offer can lead directly to employment and/or go towards future learning opportunities.
The NSW and Federal Governments have signed an agreement to deliver more fee free vocational education places in NSW in 2025 and 2026. Funding is being rolled out in stages and for priority qualifications, including Certificate IV in School Based Education Support. The next funding period is for training to commence between 1 July and 31 December 2025.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT APPLICATIONS TO STUDY IN TERM 3 2025 ARE SUBMITTED BY NO LATER THAN JUNE 2025.
To be eligible you must be:
If you meet the above criteria, along with the Course Entry Requirements, you can apply to study this course fee free (includes course resources). Fee-free places are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
For further information, please contact Natalie Thornberry, Training Coordinator at natalie@nbmc.nsw.edu.au or phone 9970 1053.
| Title | Fee |
| Exempt or NSW Fee Free | $0 |
| Concession | $240 |
| If no prior post school qualification | $1600 |
| If a post school qualification has previously been completed | $1930 |
| If not eligible for Smart & Skilled | $8000 |
If there are no NSW Fee Free places available and you wish to enrol under the subsidised Smart & Skilled Program, the course cost can be paid:
If not eligible for subsidised training course cost is $8,000 – please contact us for payment options.
*Enrolment instalment is payable on acceptance into the course.
Below are our available intakes to the CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support . Select the intake you wish to enrol into and complete the Online Enrolment Form
| Name | Course Start Date | Course End Date | Apply |
| 2025 Term 3 - Thu & Fri - 9.30am to 2.30pm - Brookvale Campus | 31/07/2025 | 03/07/2026 | Click here |
Find out if you are eligible for Government Funding with our easy to using Funding Eligibility Calculator.
If you have any questions related to the CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support please enquire here. Alternatively you can email one of our course-cordinators here
Northern Beaches Community College Ltd t/a Northern Beaches & Mosman College. Nationally accredited qualifications, work & computer skills, lifestyle RTO ID 90113
