Students studying Social Work must attend 1000 hours of Work Placement as part of the Social Work (Honours) degree in Australia. According to the Australia Association of Social Workers (AASW), it is a conflict of interest for these students to get paid for their placement. When students go on placements, they often experience significant financial hardships as it decreases availability for part-time and/or casual work. This then leads to difficulty in paying for various bills and general expenses (e.g. groceries, rent, medical care, transport costs, etc.). This is exponentially harder for international students who have higher university costs and less family support. 

Although it is understood as to the conflict of interest regarding students getting paid for placement, it causes much anxiety, stress and in some cases depression. Although most other placements in other degrees are not paid either, their hours are much less than that of Social Work. The roles we have on placement are similar, if not identical, to that of a paid employee. We are not treated as volunteers when on placement. 

Even if the pay started as a small stipend, it would really help those on placement who are working less, or not at all. Some who are forced to work to survive often take jobs such as Uber Eats at late hours and have little sleep. This is obviously not healthy and can impact their abilities on placement which in turn affects their studies.

Thank you for reading and signing this petition. Here's to students getting paid for placement!