Mastery Teaching Support Foundation Course
Take the next step in your career with the Mastery Teaching Support Foundation Course. This program provides hands-on, practical training to build your professional skills and knowledge so you can effectively support teaching, student learning and community engagement.
To enrol, you’ll first need to become a Good to Great Schools Australia member. Membership is free and quick to join.
Why Choose This Course
Principals for their Teaching Assistants
✔ Strengthens classroom support with consistency across the school.
✔ Confident, skilled assistants reduce teacher workload.
✔ Boosts student outcomes with well-trained, evidence-based support staff.
Teaching Assistants
✔ Builds practical, job-ready skills for classroom and student engagement.
✔ Provides nationally recognised pathways for career advancement.
✔ Offers flexible, supported study while working in a real school setting.
✔ Fast-track pathway into teaching, saving time and money while preparing for university study.
✔ Build confidence step by step, with a foundation course leading to Certificate IV and on to a teaching degree.
Course Highlights
19 short modules
- Video demonstrations
- Scenarios and quizzes
- Short applied tasks
- End of module knowledge checks
- Certificate of Completion issued for each module
100 hours of work placement
- Supervised practice in a school setting
- Practice applying new skills in the classroom
- Support from a qualified supervisor
- Time to build real, work-based evidence
On-the-job coaching
- Regular feedback from supervisors
- Support to refine techniques and classroom practices
- Coaching aligned to course standards
Assessment
- Supervisor observation and sign-off
- Evidence reviewed against course standards
- Assessment of mastery of effective teaching support practices
- End of module knowledge checks
- Certificate of Completion issued for each module
Qualified training
- Alignment to the Certificate IV in School-Based Education
- Support
- *Formal certification issued on successful completion
- Evidence packaged for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
*Completion of Unit 2 results in a Good to Great Schools Australia certificate. The nationally accredited Certificate IV is awarded separately by the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) following successful completion of all RPL and RTO assessment requirements.
Course Details
Unit 1: Effective Teaching
Hours – 23
Unit 2: Differentiate Teaching
Hours – 20
Unit 3: Education Support
Hours – 20
Key Course Features
Hands-On Practical Training
Gain real classroom experience in a supportive school setting, allowing you to apply what you learn immediately.
Supervised Work Placement
Complete 100 hours of supervised work placement with skilled teachers who provide guidance and feedback.
Expert Coaching
Benefit from expert coaching and practical video-based assessments to help you refine your skills.
Flexible, Self-Paced Study
The flexible teaching assistant course structure fits around your work schedule, with 30 short online modules you can complete at your own pace.
This course is for:
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Teaching Assistants: Gain essential, work-ready skills to excel in classroom support and access new professional opportunities. |
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Aspiring Teachers: Build foundational knowledge and experience to fast-track entry into teaching degrees and future teaching roles. |
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Year 10-12 Students: Prepare for employment as a teaching assistant by studying part-time while still at school, including supervised placements. |
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Year 12 School Leavers: Fast-track employment and further study by starting a teaching assistant role while working towards formal qualifications. |
Teaching assistants from across the country will be undertaking the Foundation course, and our course coordinators will bring participants together online. Throughout the course, participants will access webinars, forums and tutorials alongside other participants.
What You'll Learn
This course is designed to provide you with the core skills needed to be an effective educator.
- Structured, Explicit Teaching Skills: Learn to deliver clear, direct instruction that helps all students succeed.
- Effective Classroom Management: Gain strategies to create a positive, organised, and productive learning environment.
- Lesson Support and Delivery: Build the confidence to support and lead parts of a lesson under teacher supervision.
- Strategies for Student Engagement: Master techniques to keep students focused, motivated, and actively participating in their learning.
Course Structure
Three Units:
- Effective Teaching
- Differentiate Teaching
- Education Support
Course Modules:
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Effective Teaching
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Differentiate Teaching
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Education Support
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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Your existing classroom experience is valuable. Through RPL, you can get credit for the skills you already have, which can help fast-track your qualification journey, saving you time and money.
Good to Great Schools Australia has worked with recognised organisations from across Australia to structure a course that ensures you have the knowledge, skills and evidence to be assessed by the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) on what you know and what you do in your role as a Teaching Assistant. Through this course, you will become confident in applying to the RTO, as you will have all the documentation ready before you apply.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Completing the Foundation Course opens doors to significant career growth. Gaining Certificate IV can help you move to higher pay scales and provide a seamless entry point into university study, potentially fast-tracking a Bachelor of Teaching degree.
Enter University and fast-track your way to becoming an accredited teacher. Gain a year of credit, so your degree is a three-year full-time degree, not a four-year degree.
Choose the Best Pathway for You
The Mastery Teaching Support Foundation Course offers more than traditional Education Certificate IV courses.
Benefits:
- Direct and explicit instruction specialisation
- Body of knowledge on evidence-based practice
- Regular on-demand support from supportive experts
- Linked in school practical coaching support
Comparison Offerings
Consideration |
Direct to RTO | Mastery Teaching Support Foundation Course |
| Fees | Not all RTOs offer a fee subsidy. | Good to Great Schools Australia has the research and advises which RTOs offer fee subsidies. |
| When fees are paid | Before you start your course or before you gather your evidence for RPL. | After you have completed the Foundation Course and all of your RPL evidence has been collected and is ready to be assessed by the RTO. |
| Unit relevance | RTO selects the elective units – this will vary between RTOs. | Good to Great Schools Australia has worked with RTO Partners so electives align closely with the work you do in your school every day. |
| RPL | You need to interpret the RPL requirements, which can be confusing. | Good to Great Schools Australia guides you through what evidence is needed. |
| Completion | Overwhelming process of collecting the correct evidence and other complex tasks. | Good to Great Schools Australia guides you through what you will understand and what evidence you need, with a simple process for collecting evidence. |
Earn Certificates IV
Access to a training organisation to get your Certificate IV in School-Based Education Support with up to 95% Recognition of Prior Learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read through our FAQs to get answers to our most common queries.
Want to get in touch? Send our team an email at info@goodtogreatschools.org.au. We are happy to help.
How do I sign up for the Mastery Teaching Support Foundation Course?
What course is recommended for becoming a teaching assistant?
The Mastery Teaching Support Foundation Course is one of the best entry-level options for those looking to start a career in education support. This program focuses on practical training in classroom management, lesson delivery, and evidence-based instructional strategies, helping participants meet essential teaching assistant job requirements and prepare for further teaching assistant qualifications and a fast-tracked pathway to becoming a teacher.
How much is the teaching assistant course?
Good to Great Schools Australia offers its courses for free to Partner Schools. However, a nationally registered training provider supplies the accreditation component at their standard fee for that course. Prices vary from state to state. The registered training organisation sets the fee in accordance with state and territory guidelines. You may be entitled to a subsidy from the state or territory in which you live. The registered training organisation will work with you to determine the best price for you to receive the qualification.
Certificate IV fees
You only pay a Certificate IV fee when you apply for RPL assessment.
The RTO will issue an invoice at that point, and in some cases, no fee may apply.
Many schools choose to cover this cost as part of professional development.
School Costs
There is no cost to the school for the Mastery Teaching Support Foundation Course. A fee applies only if the Teaching Assistant proceeds to the Certificate IV RPL assessment. If the school chooses to pay, this occurs after the Foundation course is completed, once commitment and evidence have been confirmed.
How long is a teaching assistant course?
The duration of a teaching assistant course varies based on your schedule and prior experience. The Foundation Course is designed as a flexible teaching assistant course, with many participants completing modules and work placement activities over six months. This course allows you to study at your own pace while working or balancing family commitments.
Can you do a teaching assistant course online?
Yes, the Mastery Teaching Support Foundation Course is an online teaching assistant course Australia-wide, allowing you to study the teaching assistant course online from work or home. Interactive modules, video demonstrations and progress tracking make it convenient for anyone balancing a busy family life, work or other commitments.
What course do I need to become a teaching assistant?
Completing a recognised teaching assistant course, such as the Foundation Course, provides valuable training and a Certificate of Completion. For those seeking a nationally recognised qualification, you will be assessed through an RPL process by a Recognised Training Organisation, leading to a nationally accredited teaching assistant certification.
What support will I receive during the course?
We have designed the course with those who have never studied before in mind. The modules are designed in bite-sized pieces so you can learn in small chunks of time or multiple chunks at once. You will receive quizzes throughout to check your understanding along the way, and assessments let you re-do the work if you don’t get it right straight away. We want you to succeed and have structured the course so you can gain maximum knowledge and learn new skills. The modules contain video segments so you can learn by viewing as well as reading.
Will the school need to complete any observations?
Yes. Participants need to be observed applying the techniques and practices learned during the course. The process is simple and fully guided, with clear instructions provided to the school supervisor. A supervisor sign-off is also required as part of the evidence for the Certificate IV RPL assessment.
Legal Terms
Legal Terms
Participants who complete the Foundation Course are supported in preparing a portfolio of evidence for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) toward a Certificate IV in School-Based Education Support through our preferred Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). These RTOs have worked closely with us to ensure the course aligns with their RPL requirements.
In some states and territories, it is possible to achieve Certificate IV entirely through RPL; however, due to changing government policies, some participants may need to complete one additional unit with the RTO. This unit has been selected to require minimal time and aligns with national standards.
95 per cent of the Certificate IV can be completed via RPL. The remaining units relate to mandatory workplace health and safety (WHS) and legislative training, which are typically delivered by schools. If school-based evidence meets RTO standards, these units can also be recognised. Otherwise, participants may need to complete additional units directly with the RTO.
Upon achieving Certificate IV, participants may apply to our preferred university partner. Certificate IV is recognised for university entry, granting up to one year’s credit toward a teaching qualification. This can enable students to complete their teaching degree up to 25% faster and transition more quickly into a teaching role.
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