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Teacher Aide

Support teachers and students with classroom activities, learning resources and individual educational assistance.

Teacher aide supporting students with classroom learning activities in a modern Australian school

What They Do

Teacher Aides support teachers and students in primary and secondary school classrooms.

They help prepare learning materials, supervise activities, assist small groups and provide individual support to students who may need additional help with academic, social or behavioural needs.

They may also organise classroom resources, assist during excursions and activities and support students with disability or additional learning requirements under the direction of a teacher.

Who This Career Suits

This career suits people who enjoy helping young people, working as part of a team and supporting learning.

Teacher Aides need patience and strong communication skills because students have different abilities, personalities and learning needs.

It can particularly suit someone who enjoys education and working with people but does not necessarily want to complete the university pathway required to become a qualified teacher.

Key Skills

Communication, Patience, Organisation, Student Support, Teamwork, Empathy, Problem Solving, Adaptability

Work Environment

Indoor, Active, Team-Based

Education & Training

A common national qualification is the CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support.

The qualification is designed for people who assist teachers and support student learning across primary and secondary school environments.

Training can include:

supporting student learning, assisting with literacy and numeracy, working with students who need additional support, classroom organisation, student wellbeing and workplace safety.

The qualification has no formal entry requirements.

To complete it, students must undertake at least 100 hours of work in an Australian primary or secondary school classroom environment, allowing them to develop practical experience alongside their formal training.

Career Changer Pathway

Teacher aide work can suit people moving from childcare, disability support, community services, administration or other people-focused careers.

Someone without school experience can complete the Certificate III in School Based Education Support while gaining the required classroom placement experience.

People with existing experience supporting children, young people or people with disability may already have useful communication, behaviour-support and care skills.

Early Career

Early-career Teacher Aides learn classroom routines and how to support students while working under the guidance of qualified teachers.

They may help prepare resources, supervise activities and work individually with students who need extra assistance.

Developing strong relationships with teachers and understanding different learning needs are particularly important during this stage.

Mid Career

Experienced Teacher Aides take on more complex student-support responsibilities and may work with students requiring significant individual assistance.

They may develop experience in:

literacy support, numeracy support, disability support, behavioural support, learning difficulties or classroom inclusion.

Experienced aides may also help new support staff understand classroom routines and individual student needs.

Senior / Veteran Career

Experienced Teacher Aides can progress into senior education-support or specialist student-support positions.

Some move into roles involving disability support, student wellbeing, learning intervention or school administration.

Others use their experience as a pathway into further study in education, community services or teaching.

Salary Guide

Early Career

55000

Mid Career

68000

Senior / Veteran

80000

Indicative annual salary (AUD)

Indicative annual salary (AUD)

Indicative annual salary (AUD)

Salary data source: 

Jobs and Skills Australia / Indeed

Salary data source URL:

Date : 

9 October 2026 at 12:00:00 am

Career Outlook

Jobs and Skills Australia reports approximately 137,900 Education Aides across the broader occupation group.

The group recorded annual employment growth of approximately 6,800 workers, indicating strong recent expansion.

Teacher Aides are increasingly used to provide additional classroom support, assist students with disability or learning difficulties and help teachers manage diverse student needs.

The occupation also provides relatively accessible entry into the education sector compared with careers requiring university teacher registration.

Job Outlook :

Outlook Source :

Strong

Where do I go from here?

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