$320 per week cash boost for these Aussie uni students battling 'placement poverty'
University students struggling to juggle unpaid placements, study and work will get relief under a new government package. Yahoo Finance has spoken to students forced to do unpaid placements who said the hundreds of lost hours of potential work means they struggle to afford basics like food and housing.
The government has responded to increasing "placement poverty" by announcing a weekly $320 payment for some students in several health or teaching fields. But, not all university students will be eligible and it won't come into effect until next year.
So will you benefit? Here's a breakdown of the plan announced ahead of next week's federal budget.
Have you been struggling while on a university placement? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com
Am I eligible for placement poverty payment? And how much is it?
The initiative will be targeted at around 73,000 students facing "placement poverty" and will come into effect on July 1 next year. This means students currently struggling will have to endure until then.
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The $320 weekly payment is for students studying:
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Nursing
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Teaching
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Midwifery
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Social work
This included university students and VET students, approximately 68,000 and 5,000 respectively.
The payment will be means-tested and paid in addition to any income support the student may already receive.
Placement poverty stops Aussies training for jobs nation needs
Education Minister said the move would help address placement poverty, like that felt by Western Sydney University graduate Nariman Dein.
She was a vocal advocate to get better support for future students, revealing to Yahoo Finance that students have been “forced to choose” between getting an education and working to earn enough money to live.
“I really wanted to do my Masters and I have always wanted to be a psychologist, but I just found it unfair,” Dein said.
“It didn't seem right to me that I’m going to be training to be a psychologist and actually offering what I’ve learnt at uni, just for me to not make any money off it.”
Clare said he'd spoken to students who echoed Dein's experience, some who are in fields Australia desperately needs.
“This will give people who have signed up to do some of the most important jobs in this country a bit of extra help to get the qualifications they need,” he said.