What do Teacher’s Aides do?
Teacher’s Aides work in classrooms supporting teachers to deliver lessons by preparing resources, supervising, and looking after students wellbeing helping them work towards their learning goals, as well as carrying out a variety of other general tasks.
If you enjoy working with children, are patient, organised and fun-loving, this career could be a great fit for you.
About you:
- Patient, trustworthy and approachable, whilst remaining professional and responsible
- Able to be understanding and encouraging, communicating ideas in different ways and on different levels
- A problem-solver with a creative streak, great at conflict resolution with a good sense of humour
The job:
- Organise, maintain and prepare classroom resources for each lesson and tidy up between activities
- Help individuals or small groups of students with activities, additional learning support, or testing.
- Provide one-one-one assistance to children with special needs, disabilities, or those who have English as their second language.
- Carry out basic administrative tasks including photocopying, filing, distributing information and ordering supplies
- Attend staff and parent-teacher meetings if required
Lifestyle Impact: Low
- Part Time opportunities: High (79% of Teacher’s Aides work part time – Source: joboutlook.gov.au)
- Below average hours for full-time workers (average 40 per week)
- Teacher’s Aide salary (average) *$65,000 per year (Source: indeed.com) *Full-time positions
- Future career growth: Very Strong (Source: joboutlook.gov.au)
- Working from home is not an option for this career but many jobs are school hours and term times only.
Teacher’s Aides are most in demand in these locations:
Queensland employs the highest number of employees in this role, but Teacher’s Aides work and are in demand in most parts of Australia.
How to become a Teacher’s Aide in Australia
Formal qualifications aren’t always necessary for this job, but it could help you find a job more easily, applications are often highly competitive.
Also, once you secure a job, you may be eligible to earn a higher salary bracket if you have some qualifications.
Step 1 – Successfully complete Year 12 – good grades in English and Maths could be useful.
Step 2 – Consider undertaking a qualification relevant to education, or look for a traineeship. For example:
Certificate III in Education Support through TAFE or another RTO
Certificate IV in Education Support through TAFE or another RTO
Diploma of School Age Education and Care
A Certificate III is the entry-level qualification that covers the basics including literacy and numeracy. A Certificate IV or Diploma could provide you with more opportunities to work with children with disabilities or special needs.
Step 3 – Although formal qualifications may not be required, before applying for jobs you’ll need to check if you’re eligible and may also have to apply for:
- A driver’s license
- National police check
- Working with children check
- First Aid Certificate
- Anaphylaxis training
And you may have to take (and pass) a psychometric or aptitude test.
Step 4 – Get some work experience and decide if you would like to upgrade your qualifications and become a teacher.
Find out more here –
https://www.australianteacheraide.com.au/
Similar Careers to Teacher’s Aide
Early Childhood Educator or Carer
OSHC Co-ordinator
Special Needs Teacher
Find out more about alternative careers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Do I need qualifications to become a Teacher’s Aide?
No, you don’t always need a formal qualification to become a Teacher’s Aide but it could help you find work faster and get paid at a higher level.
Where do Teacher’s Aides work?
Teacher’s Aides work in Kindergartens, Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and other training or education organisations. They are not home-based jobs, you’ll need to be on site to work (possibly with some travel required depending on your role).
How long will it take to qualify as a Teacher’s Aide?
You could secure a job after leaving high school without any additional qualifications and start working straight away.
A traineeship could take up to two year to complete, you’ll need to complete all the necessary course material and practical (paid) hours. (Note: You could be eligible to start a traineeship while you’re still at school).
A Certificate III takes 9 -12 months to complete, a Certificate IV takes on average 11 months of full-time study, and a Diploma could take up to 2 years.
What is the difference between and Teachers Assistant and a Teacher’s Aide?
Aides are responsible for general classroom tasks, whereas Assistant Teachers are qualified to provide instructional teaching support, they can take over when the lead teacher is absent.
