suart

Hi guy's

Just wondering if anyone can give me some information on becoming a teaching assistant in OZ, eg, what qualifications you need, can you work and study at the same time etc
Any info will be greatly appreciated

thanks emma

quoll

I assume you mean a teacher's assistant? Around here as long as you are of good character and have a clean police record you can register - there are a few training courses out there for STA (Special Teacher's Assistant) in TAFEs usually but AFAIK not a requirement by any means. STAs get the dogs end of jobs - wiping snotty noses, changing nappies, pushing wheelchairs, reading with teenagers who are likely to throw a tantrum etc and are often, but not always, associated with students who have a disability of some kind. Our STAs are not teachers per se and they do not have duty of care like they may do in UK I believe.

They may be part time or full time all depending on what the needs of the school are but usually they are not permanent positions any more - contracts are the name of the game. I have known STAs who have been at uni while working but there was a careful juggling of their timetables with the needs of the student which would be paramount. If you were training to be something that would be an advantage to the child - like you were going to be a physio or psychologist or something then that would be an advantage to you in gaining employment.