Trade students get paid for their labour, why don't we?

Students across Victoria are expected to take part in compulsory, unpaid placements, that require them to either completely or partially sacrifice their paid work hours. Students were some of those hit the hardest by COVID, in regards to income and employment opportunities. Expecting them to now, forgo yet more of their income when the majority are still financially recovering, is completely unethical. 

We demand to be paid at least minimum wage while on compulsory educational placements.

Placement is expensive. Students are expected to continue to pay their full university fees, despite spending minimal time on campus. Students are required to pay for transportation to and from the unpaid placement. These placements are often 40+ hours a week and continue on for several weeks, during which the income of students is drastically reduced due to the time commitment.

Expecting students to financially support themselves, while taking part in 40+ hour unpaid work weeks is unrealistic and unethical.

The lack of financial support during placements is discriminatory and prevents students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, parents, carers and international students from accessing their desired fields and careers. Many of the fields that require unpaid placements are pillars of our community, like nursing, social work, and psychology. Preventing passionate students from entering these career choices, over something that should be a basic human right, like minimum wage, is uninsightful and shameful.

We have families to support. We have rent to pay. We need your help.