I have a feeling he doesn't have the cert or the BA yet and he's weighing up his options...
If you're doing it just to get work O.S... its the choice between a few months versus a few years.... and ending up in the same workforce...often times on the same salary....hmmm...tough decision....gimme a minute...
If you already had a BA - secondary ESL, then you wouldn't need the CERT.
Any employer who asks for it doesn't appreciate or respect your qualifications and you wouldn't want to work there anyhoo.
If you have a Bachelor's degree in another field...not Education... and you're thinking of doing a second Bachelor's degree - in Education, this time...you'd be better off doing the MASTER OF TEACHING DEGREE at Sydney University... its a Masters by coursework... only assessed thru written assignments and a large practical component...very hands on..... like an apprenticeship in teaching... No prior Education Qualifications required...as long as you have a Bachelor's Degree.