Education Assistant - Special Needs

Department of Education, Western Australia; Shire Of Kellerberrin; On-site; AUD 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

South Bunbury ESC, as part of the Department of Education WA, invites Education Assistants – Special Needs to join a pool for permanent and fixed-term vacancies arising during the 2027 school year. Roles include assisting under teacher direction with specialised education programs and therapies, using digital tools, and supporting students with high-need autism or intellectual disability.

Applicants should be able to work flexibly in a dynamic classroom environment, with strong teamwork and

Qualifications

• Be prepared to support therapies and education programs under supervision.
• Ability to cope with frequent unpredictability and varied needs.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the delivery of planned education programs under teacher direction.
• Operate computers and digital technologies as required.
• Provide feedback on education and therapy programs.
• Participate in the evaluation of goals in special education.

Skills

Self-care

Emotional intelligence

Teamwork

Flexibility

Job description

We are seeking to establish a pool of Education Assistants – Special Needs 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.

South Bunbury Education Support Centre (ESC) is a specialist setting which caters to the needs of students with diagnosis of high need Autism Spectrum Disorder or Intellectual Disability. With a steady student population of approximately 70 students, the school offers individual support and attention in all areas of student development.

Our school motto, “Learn, Grow, Belong” is an important foundation of everything we do at South Bunbury ESC. Our aim is to support each student to learn and grow to their full potential in their academic, physical, and social development, in order to have active, positive participation in their community in the future.

South Bunbury ESC is a proud School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) school, with strong philosophy around teaching and reinforcing expected behaviours, and supporting students to be their best. Our Education Assistants are a vital part of the team, delivering programs and interventions in the areas of academics, social emotional learning, and functioning living skills. Within small group settings, each student has an Individualised Education Program, which caters specifically to the needs of the individual child. The program is clearly linked with Western Australian Curriculum and ABLEWA. South Bunbury ESC keeps abreast of evidence-based strategies and programs, and utilises a range of these to deliver exemplary programs targeted at students achieving their potential.

We care about our students and each other and are committed to providing the supports necessary for students to achieve their individual goals. Our school environment can be extremely challenging, both physically and emotionally. It is important to have strong self-care strategies and excellent emotional intelligence. Education Assistants who work at South Bunbury ESC need to be able to work flexibly, think on their feet, and work well as part of a team.

Find out more about our school by visiting southbunburyesc.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

The Role

Suitable applicants will ideally under teacher direction, assist in the implementation of specialised education programs such as occupational therapy, speech therapy and/or other therapies as required. You will ideally assist the teacher in the delivery of planned education programs, including the operation of computers and digital technologies, and implement individual student or small group programs or demonstrations. If required, you should provide feedback on education and therapy programs and participate in the evaluation process relating to the achievement of goals in special education. You will ideally have the ability to cope well with frequent unpredictability as our students have a range of special needs and we cannot expect them to follow an exact pattern every day. Their needs are widely varied and, as such, our approach and thinking must be too.

We deliver a range of programs, applicants will ideally have professional knowledge and expertise in the delivery of our current whole school approaches. Knowledge of TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped Children), Alternative and Augmentative Communication, Team Teach, Trauma Informed Practice and Promoting Literacy Development (PLD) programs will be highly regarded.

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 Ross Davidson, 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.

Advertised Vacancy Number: SS/SS1069546

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Thursday, 5 November 2026