University students completing mandatory, unpaid placements are facing increasing financial pressures, at the same time as struggling to balance academic commitments with the the rise in the cost-of-living.
According to the Australian Universities Accord Interim there has been a definitive causal link between the current requirements of unpaid placements and student poverty.
Sydney University student Montanna Mills, who is completing her undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy, said that it is stressful and mentally exhausting to focus on the financial strain of unpaid placements instead of her studies, health and overall well-being.
“Students in the Allied Health faculty also have longer placement hours than nursing students, with OT students doing 1000 hours compared to nursing students who do 880 hours in total,” Miss Mills said
“I have to be on campus four days a week, so juggling my studies has meant that I have had to reduce my work hours to accommodate long days at university, study time, and travel.
“I’m currently searching for another job that can accommodate my unpredictable schedule. Many students in my class have multiple jobs as well.”
A Work Integrated Learning in Universities report showed that 43 per cent of students carried out work-based placements in 2017.
However, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman, there is still no entitlement to pay for the work students undertake.
Notre Dame University student Lucy McGrath, who is completing an undergraduate degree in Primary Education, said the expectation to complete unpaid placement for 10 weeks at a time was unrealistic.
”As both of my teaching placements have been 10 weeks, full time it makes it impossible to save money and work,” Miss McGrath said.
“My university expects us to complete a total of 32 weeks of placement over the course of my degree.
“We have no chance to save any money while studying and completing placements.
“I did struggle with the running of my car and paying for groceries each week, I had to live a different lifestyle while completing my 10-week placement.”
Starting July 2025, paid placements will be introduced, but initially only for certain degrees like primary education and nursing.
The payments will be means-tested, prioritising students who need it the most.