Education Assistant - Special Needs

Department of Education; Serpentine; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Education invites applications for Special Needs Education Assistants at Serpentine Primary School in Western Australia. These roles are available on permanent and fixed-term, full-time and part-time arrangements during the 2027 school year, commencing as vacancies arise.

Under teacher direction, you will support inclusive education programs, assist in delivering planned education activities, and help students develop academic, social, emotional and physical skills, including

Qualifications

• Be comfortable supporting students with diverse learning and behavioural needs.
• Knowledge of learning difficulties, including dyslexia and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is advantageous.
• Experience with trauma-informed practice and Team Teach principles is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers in delivering planned education programs to help students reach their potential across academics, social, emotional, and physical skills.
• Provide feedback on education and therapy programs and participate in evaluation of goals in special education.
• Support positive classroom management, consistent expectations, and calm responses to challenging behaviours.
• Build positive relationships with students and support their use of digital technologies and computers.

Job description

We are seeking to establish a pool of Special Needs Education Assistants for permanent and fixed term, full-time and part-time vacancies which may arise during the 2027 school year. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period. At Serpentine Primary School (PS) we acknowledge our history and tradition and seek to balance this with a focus into the future, embracing innovation, current educational research, and teaching and learning practices. Our commitment is to ensure that children attending Serpentine PS are treated to all benefits that a rural school has to offer while still receiving the highest quality education. The belief that all children can be high achievers and that every child matters every day is fundamental to our approach. A wide range of specialist programs (physical education, the arts and science) offer children a full curriculum, inclusive of their individual abilities and interests. We also have an experienced and supportive student services team, led by our learning support coordinator, to enhance our commitment to ensure the specific learning needs of children are met and to aid in the development of safe and supportive learning environments for all students. Find out more about our school by visiting serpentineps.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

The Role

As a Special Needs Education Assistant, suitable applicants will under teacher direction, assist in the education programs and in promoting a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Education Assistants will assist teachers in the delivery of planned education programs to assist students to reach their full potential through the development of their academic, social, emotional, and physical skills including the operation of computers and digital technologies. Within this role you would provide feedback when required on education and therapy programs and participate in the evaluation process relating to the achievement of goals in special education. Suitable applicants would support students with diverse learning and behavioural needs by implementing consistent classroom management and behaviour support strategies. The role may involve building positive relationships with students, maintaining clear expectations and responding calmly and consistently to challenging behaviours. You should use your understanding of learning difficulties, including dyslexia and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), to support students’ learning, communication, sensory needs and emotional regulation. Knowledge of trauma-informed practice and Team Teach principles, including proactive strategies, de-escalation and safe responses to challenging behaviour, will be highly regarded. Team Teach training is desirable but not essential.

Want to know more? Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF). For more information about this opportunity, please contact Stephanie Le Lievre, Principal, on [phone] or emailing [e-mail].

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.

Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process. Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 20 November 2026.