Thousands of students to benefit from budget boost
Next Tuesday’s budget will include a financial package for students. Today it was announced by the Prime Minister and Education Minister Jason Claire. The government will for the first time, offer a payment to uni students while they’re completing compulsory placements as part of their studies. It doesn’t apply to all degrees for now, only teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work. All are expected to complete around 20 weeks of unpaid work before they’re qualified. From next July, these students will receive $319.50 per week. Help with their living costs. It’s in response to concerns People can’t afford to undertake these placements and are being locked out of their professions as a result. Placement poverty is a real thing. So many students have told me that it’s forced them to either drop out of their course or delay completing their degree. And this is practical help to help people to do the practical part of their degree. The Treasurer was out managing expectations today ahead of the budget, he says. They’ll be a focus on fighting inflation, so no major cash flashes. But says there will be some spending on cost of living relief on top of what’s already been announced. It would not be wise when people are doing it tough and when the economy is soft for us to slash and burn. In this budget, he’s again flagged. Further relief on energy bills is likely to take the sting out of higher prices.