How much do education assistants earn in WA?

Education assistants in WA public schools earn between $34.75 and $43.28 an hour from 1 January 2026, under the Education Assistants' (Government) General Agreement 2025. Mainstream Level 1 starts at $34.75, Level 2 runs from $36.87 to $39.05, and Special Needs Level 3 pays $39.78 to $41.37. Specialist EAs, such as Auslan or Braille EAs and EA Leads, earn $43.28. Catholic and independent schools set pay under their own agreements.

Do I need a qualification to be an education assistant in WA?

Not always, but it helps a lot. Many WA public school EA positions do not list a mandatory qualification, though EAs working with kindergarten students may need a Certificate III or be working towards one. In practice, the CHC30221 Certificate III or CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support puts you ahead of other applicants, and the Certificate IV is especially valued for special needs roles.

What checks do I need to work as an education assistant in Perth?

You need a current WA Working with Children Check, and public schools also require a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check processed through the Department of Education before you start. Catholic and independent schools typically ask for a National Police History Check and a Working with Children Check. Apply early, because screening can take several weeks and schools generally cannot roster you until it is cleared.

What is the difference between a mainstream and special needs education assistant?

A mainstream EA supports whole-class learning, reading groups and small-group work, while a special needs EA works with students who have disability or additional learning needs. Special needs roles can involve personal care, behaviour support and individual education plans, often in education support centres or schools. Because the work is more complex, special needs EAs are paid at Level 3, from $39.78 an hour in WA public schools.

How do I become an education assistant in Perth with no experience?

Start by getting your Working with Children Check and enrolling in a Certificate III or IV in School Based Education Support, which includes a supervised work placement in a school. Then join the Department of Education's education assistant employment register and the relief lists that many Catholic and independent schools run. Relief shifts build references and often lead to fixed-term or permanent positions.

Education Assistant Jobs Perth

Education assistant and teacher aide roles in schools in Perth, Western Australia.

Latest Education Assistant Jobs in Perth

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Education Assistant Jobs in Perth Right Now: What the Ads Show

9 education assistant job ads are live for Perth on Jobs In Perth as of 9 November 2026. The newest went up today and the oldest still open is 17 days old.

None of the current ads state an annual salary. Ask for the award level or hourly rate before you apply.

By work type: 8 full time (1 ads don't say).

Bell Bay Aluminium has the most ads open (6). 4 employers are advertising in total.

Advertising now:

Bell Bay Aluminium (6 ads)
C0001225248P (1 ad)
ILSC Education Group (1 ad)
Our HRIS (1 ad)

Where the ads are:

Perth (7)
Perth CBD (2)

Hiring education assistants in Perth?

Reach Perth and WA job seekers directly. Post a job from $29 for a 30-day listing, or compare job ad pricing.

Not sure where these candidates look? See how to find education assistant staff in Perth.

About Education Assistant Jobs in Perth

Education assistant jobs in Perth are school-based support roles where you work alongside teachers to help students learn, from kindergarten through to Year 12. Education assistant (EA) is the WA name for what other states call a teacher aide or teacher assistant. The largest employer is the WA Department of Education, which staffs public primary, secondary and education support schools across the metro area and the regions, while Catholic Education Western Australia and independent schools, including Anglican Schools Commission campuses and other AISWA member schools, hire their own EAs directly.

There are two main streams. Mainstream EAs support classroom programs, reading groups and small-group learning. Special needs EAs work with students who have disability or additional learning needs, including in education support centres and schools, and their work can include personal care, behaviour support and individual learning plans. Special needs roles are paid at a higher level.

Every EA in WA needs a current Working with Children Check, and public schools also require a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check through the Department before you start. A formal qualification is not mandatory for every public school role, but the CHC30221 Certificate III and CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support, offered through WA TAFEs and private RTOs, are what most shortlists favour. EAs working with kindergarten students may need to hold, or be working towards, a Certificate III. In public schools, pay is set by the Education Assistants' (Government) General Agreement 2025: from 1 January 2026, mainstream Level 1 starts at $34.75 an hour, Level 2 runs from $36.87 to $39.05, and Special Needs Level 3 runs from $39.78 to $41.37.

Most EA jobs are part-time and follow school hours and terms, which is why the work suits parents and people studying to become teachers. Vacancies come up across Perth, from Joondalup and Clarkson in the north to Byford, Rockingham and Mandurah in the south, and in regional schools from Port Hedland to Esperance. Relief and casual work is a common first step: the Department runs an education assistant employment register, and many Catholic and independent schools keep their own relief lists.

Education Assistant Salary in Perth

Average salary ranges for education assistant positions in Perth:

Position Level	Salary Range
EA Mainstream Level 1 (public schools)	$34.75 - $35.41 per hour
EA Level 2 (public schools)	$36.87 - $39.05 per hour
EA Special Needs Level 3 (public schools)	$39.78 - $41.37 per hour
Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer (start point)	From $39.78 per hour
EA Specialist (Auslan, Braille, Advanced EA, EA Lead)	$43.28 per hour

Market Outlook: Special needs and relief EA positions are advertised throughout the school year across public, Catholic and independent schools in Perth and regional WA, with most vacancies opening ahead of each new term.

How to Get Teacher Aide Jobs in Perth: Qualifications & Licences

Common qualifications and certifications required for education assistant positions:

Current WA Working with Children Check
Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (Department of Education screening for public schools)
CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support (preferred; may be required for kindergarten roles)
CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support (valued for special needs roles)
Current first aid certificate (often requested in job ads)

Work Environment: Mostly part-time, school-hours work during term in classrooms, education support centres and playgrounds. Special needs roles can involve personal care, manual handling and behaviour support.

Who Is Hiring Education Assistants in Perth

Major companies hiring for education assistant positions:

WA Department of Education
Catholic Education Western Australia
Anglican Schools Commission
Independent schools (AISWA member schools)
John XXIII College
Frederick Irwin Anglican School

Education Assistant Career Pathway in WA

Entry Level (0-2 years): Relief Education Assistant, Mainstream EA (Level 1), Kindergarten EA
Experienced (2-5 years): EA Level 2, Special Needs EA (Level 3), Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer
Specialist (5+ years): EA Specialist (Auslan or Braille), Advanced EA, EA Lead