We are seeking to establish a pool of Education Assistant - Special Needs for permanent and fixed term, full-time and part-time vacancies which may arise during the 2026 school year and up to the end of Term 2, 2027. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period.
At Port Kennedy Primary School (PS), our students are at the forefront of everything we do. Our goal is to provide our students with the best possible education, while fostering a sense of community and belonging. Our dedicated staff work collaboratively, leveraging their strengths and areas of interest to create a strong and positive school culture focused on continuous improvement.
At the heart of our school is the belief in ‘Striving for Excellence’. We foster a culture where every student, staff member, and community member is encouraged and supported to reach their highest potential.
Find out more about our school by visiting Port Kennedy Primary School or Schools Online.
The Role
As a Special Needs Education Assistant, you will work under the direction of teachers to support students with diverse learning, behavioural, social, emotional, physical, and communication needs. You would play a key role in creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment that enables all students to participate successfully in school life.
Suitable applicants will assist in the delivery of educational programs, working with individual students and small groups to support academic, social, emotional, and functional goals. You will provide feedback to teaching staff on student progress and assist with the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), behaviour support plans, and therapy recommendations.
Our school values inclusive, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. Suitable applicants should understand that behaviour is a form of communication and will use positive, relationship-based approaches to support student engagement, wellbeing, and self-regulation.
Ideally, you would:
- Be passionate about supporting students with diverse needs.
- Display a commitment to inclusive education and student wellbeing.
- Have an understanding of trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming practices.
- Build positive relationships with students, staff, and families.
- Support students to develop independence, confidence, and self-regulation.
- Work collaboratively as part of a team.
- Be organised, flexible, and proactive.
- Remain calm when supporting students experiencing dysregulation.
- Be committed to ongoing professional learning.
This role provides an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by supporting students to achieve success, develop independence, and reach their full potential.
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 Leah Baas, Deputy Principal on (08) 9553 0950 or emailing leah.baas@education.wa.edu.au.
During the school holidays, please contact Leah Baas on 0421 232 016.
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
To work with us, you must:
- 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).
Application Instructions
Apply online in two easy steps:
Step 1: Select Apply for Job
Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one (1) being your current line manager.
Step 2: Attach your documents
Your application should include:
- A CV outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position; and
- A two (2) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF
1. Demonstrated good written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact with students with special needs, parents and teaching professionals on the provision of educational programs, and to assist teachers in understanding students where necessary.
2. Demonstrated good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as part of a team in the evaluation of educational programs, including special education and therapy programs where these have been implemented.
4. Demonstrated ability to assist teachers or therapists in implementing educational programs, including special education and, should this be a requirement of the position, occupational and/or physiotherapy programs.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of health and physical disabilities in students and adolescents.
Shortlisted applicants will have their skills and experiences in relation to the remaining selection criteria outlined in the attached JDF assessed in the further stages of the recruitment process.
It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.
Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.
For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.
Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SS1055628
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 17 July 2026.
