Thousands of students to be paid during work placements
Australians studying teaching, nursing, midwifery or social work could be paid nearly $320 per week during their work placements in a federal government effort to alleviate cost-of-living pressures.
As part of their degrees, teaching students are required to undertake about 600 hours of placement, while aspiring nurses have to do about 800 hours, forcing many to give up part-time jobs for unpaid labour.
But from July 2025, about 68,000 university students and 5000 vocational education and training students will be eligible for a $319.50 payment each week in addition to income support they may already receive, as part of the federal government’s budget in mid-May.
Education Minister Jason Clare says the paid placements are aimed at easing workforce shortages in the care and education sectors and the government could expand this to other industries later down the line.
“It’s intended to make sure that a lot of people who struggle to pay the bills while they’re doing (practical work) as part of their degree, finish their degree,” he told ABC radio on Monday.
Nursing students have to work about 800 hours in hospitals, forcing many to give up part-time jobs. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)
The payments will also be means-tested, Mr Clare added, to ensure they go to students who need it most.
The announcement is part of a broader government effort to appeal to young voters after the Commonwealth also revealed it would wipe about $3 billion of student debt in the federal budget.
Under the measure, more than three million Australians will receive a deduction from their loans at an average cut of roughly $1200 each.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says these announcements will help expand access to education and ensure no Australians are left behind.
“We’re proud to be backing the hard work and aspiration of Australians looking to better themselves by studying at university,” he said.
“We’re funding support for placements so our future nurses, teachers and social workers can gain the experience they need.”