The Commonwealth Prac Payment supporting students on unpaid placements is set to aid university students living under the poverty line.
The payment plan, which will be launched on July 1, will provide some students up to $331.65 each week to support them on placement on a means-tested basis, or 33 per cent below the Australian poverty line.
Western Sydney University occupational therapist student, Jade Higgins said though the payment plan will provide support for some students, it is not enough to cover the costs of placement.
“It’s really difficult because the universities notify us of where we’re going and what placement block we get only one to two weeks before our placement,” Miss Higgins said.
“It’s really hard to actually find accommodation and places to stay.
“Because it is really last minute, it’s really expensive.”
The Commonwealth Prac Payment will be available to undergraduate and postgraduate students studying nursing, teaching and social work if they can prove that they are financially disadvantaged and completing a full-time placement.
The Australian Medical Association President, Doctor Danielle McMullen said in a media statement that excluding allied health from the funding was unfair and detrimental for rural communities.
“Medical students are required to undertake about 2000 hours of unpaid clinical placements,” Dr McMullen said.
“Evidence also tells us that medical students that practice in a rural and regional area are more likely to stay in a rural and regional areas.
“Helping these students stay and undertake their practice in rural and remote communities will mean more doctors in areas that struggle the most with access.”
A 2024 study published in the Australian Health Review found that 70.2 per cent of university students on unpaid placement experience food insecurity.
The study also found that unpaid placements disproportionately affect parents and students with low socio-economic backgrounds.
An anonymous psychology student interviewed for the study said that being away from her kids and her employment for eight weeks left her struggling to survive.
“I went without food whilst trying to feed my kids and keep in sports or activities whilst on placement,” the student said.
“I begged extensions on rent payments.”
University of Wollongong nursing student Ruby Wall said the solution was to fund all students on placements.
“We need some more government support, because we are told not to work our normal jobs when on placement,” she said.
“We’re expected to work full-time hours, often in demanding environments, and not being compensated just doesn’t reflect the reality of what we’re giving during that time.”
