Government moves to fund students on university placements

Students in Australia experiencing ‘poverty placement’ caused by mandatory, unpaid practical placements required for their university degrees will be eligible for a new Commonwealth payment to be unveiled in the upcoming budget, writes Conor Duffy for ABC News.

University students studying teaching must do 16 weeks of unpaid practical experience, nurses 20 weeks and social workers 26 weeks. Earlier this year, students told ABC News they were forced to choose between food and going to the doctor in order to meet their course requirements and graduate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said these students would now be eligible for a new Commonwealth Prac Payment of AU$319.50 (US$211) a week. “Teachers give our children the best start in life, they deserve a fair start to their career,” Albanese said.
Full report on the ABC News site