From the 1st July, you may be invited to complete a Skills Check as an important step in your application or enrolment process. Read more.

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11212NAT

Certificate III in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

Get a head start on your teaching career with this entry-level qualification designed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Apply now
STUDY LOCATIONS North Queensland
WAYS TO STUDY TAFE at School
NEXT INTAKE Start date: 02 Feb 2026 Duration: 8 terms View all intakes
WHAT YOU'LL PAY
TAFE at School Full Fee

This is the total course fee for High School students also studying at TAFE.

$5,010

Course overview

Get a head start on your teaching career with this entry-level qualification. This course is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is offered to both high school students and adult learners.

This course will teach you essential skills in education support including contributing to the planning of educational programs, respectfully engaging with young people and guiding responsible behaviour in a safe and supportive environment. You'll also learn how to use educational strategies to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education such as developing resources to support First Nations students, producing work that expresses Indigenous identity, and supporting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children with reading development.

Successful completion of this course will qualify you to seek work as a qualified teaching assistant. You will also be able to take advantage of our pathway options and apply to progress into a Bachelor of Education at James Cook University.

What can I do?

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Worker
  • Teacher Assistant
  • Teacher Aide

Course outcome:

11212NAT Certificate III in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

Community-based education

This course is offered through RATEP — a community-based teacher education program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The program provides a direct pathway for people in remote, rural and regional areas to become qualified teachers or teacher assistants. Students may study at one of several RATEP sites throughout the state or via an offsite delivery model. Learn more>

Indigenous student support

Our Indigenous Student Support Officers (ISSOs) provide tailored support designed to meet the unique needs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. ISSOs can provide assistance with enrolment processes, Centrelink ABSTUDY enquiries, tutor support, referrals to other community service providers, and personal support.

What you will study

The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all units listed below. You will also be required to undertake 100 hours of vocational placement in an approved setting. 

Ways to study
  • Your course is primarily online and you may interact with your teachers and other students using Zoom. You will also need to come in to campus to complete some practical learning and assessment. Learn more

  • demo View comparison chart
CAMPUS STUDY MODE START DATE DURATION WORKLOAD WHAT YOU'LL PAY
Cairns
Online with on campus practical training
02 Feb 2026
8 terms
Part time online with teacher coordinator support statewide
  • TAFE at School Full Fee: $5,010

    This is the total course fee for High School students also studying at TAFE.

demo

Cairns

Online with on campus practical training

  • Online Time

    How much of the course will be delivered online. 

    80%
  • On Campus Time
    20%
START DATE

The date the course starts. Apply early as intakes fill up quickly. 

02 Feb 2026
DURATION

The total length of time it takes to complete the course.

8 terms
Workload

The average amount of time students will need to allocate to study each week.

Part time online with teacher coordinator support statewide
WHAT YOU'LL PAY
  • TAFE at School Full Fee: $5,010

    This is the total course fee for High School students also studying at TAFE.

Class format

Some courses include classes at scheduled times while others can be completed in your own time.

Teacher-led, Scheduled
VIRTUAL CLASS

Scheduled online classes using video conferencing software (such as Zoom).

No
ASSESSMENT

The primary location assessments will take place. Some courses also require vocational placement.

Online, On-Campus
TEACHER COMMS

The different ways you can contact your teacher throughout the course.

  • Phone, Email, Face-to-face, Zoom

Download Brochure

Certificate III in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education (11212NAT)

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Certificate III in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

COURSE CODE: 11212NAT
Payment Options

How can I pay for this course?

No matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what’s right for you, get in touch. We’re here to help. 

Payment plan

If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

Learn more
Upfront payment

This may be the full fee for the course, or the student contribution amount if you are eligible for a subsidy or concession.

Learn more

Entry requirements

Skills check

You will be invited to complete a Skills Check following your application submission, before enrolling to your studies. This helps you to decide if your course is right for you and allows us to understand your current abilities in English, Maths, as well as using Digital technology. 

The recommended benchmark levels for this course are 3 in English, 3 in Maths and 3 in Digital Technology.

Access and instructions on how to complete the Skills Check will be emailed to you once you have submitted your application.

Read the Skills Check FAQs.


Selection criteria

Student applicants entering or currently in year 11 are acceptable as Certificate III students.

Adult applicants with no previous classroom work experience are acceptable as Certificate III students.

Whilst this course has no specific entry requirements, the unit CUAATS111 - Develop understanding of own Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Identity requires interpretation of one's own Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island cultural identity in order to complete the unit of competency. Due to this unit being a core unit, enrolment into this course is limited to those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Resources required

It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader. This equipment and software is available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.

Off-site students must have access to a computer and internet connection during study hours.

Placement

During your course you will be required to complete 100 hours of vocational placement at an approved Primary School in one of the RATEP locations listed below so you can start practising your new skills in a real-world environment. 

Completing placement is compulsory, and you will be expected to manage family and work commitments in order to complete your shifts. 

Off-site students must do 100 hours of vocational placement at a Queensland Education Department school.

Important information

This course is offered through RATEP. RATEP is a community-based teacher education program that provides a direct pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote, rural and regional locations to become registered teachers or qualified teacher aides. The RATEP program is a partnership between TAFE Queensland North Region, Queensland Education Department and James Cook University. Currently there are several RATEP sites throughout the state, providing teacher training at the Certificate III and Diploma levels.

RATEP locations are as follows:

  1. Barambah (Cherbourg)
  2. Cairns
  3. Mackay
  4. Bamaga
  5. Rockhampton
  6. St George
  7. Toowoomba
  8. Townsville
  9. Yarrabah
  10. Thursday Island

RATEP is also available to students who do not have access to a RATEP site via the off-site model.
Offsite students must ensure that they have access to a computer and internet and that they are willing to complete the vocational placement requirements in a Queensland Education Department school.

Assessment methods

Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning. Read more about assessment methods.

Pathways

University pathways

If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.

Learn more about University Pathways

  • James Cook University
  • Southern Cross University
  • University of Canberra
  • Griffith University
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • University of Southern Queensland

How to apply

Direct application

If you're ready to get started, simply hit the Apply Now button on your preferred course information page and get your application underway online. 

Course disclaimer

All information was accurate at time of publication, however TAFE policies, tuition fees, available subsidies, and course content is subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change prior to commencement and/or during the duration of your course.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfers

Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.

Learn more