Australian students in teaching, nursing, and social work to receive weekly payment during work placements

Australians studying teaching, nursing, midwifery or social work could be paid nearly $320 per week during their work placements in a federal government effort to alleviate cost-of-living pressures.

As part of their degrees, teaching students are required to undertake about 600 hours of placement, while aspiring nurses have to do about 800 hours, forcing many to give up part-time jobs for unpaid labour. Source: Getty / Getty Images

Key Points

• From July 2025, about 68,000 university students and 5000 vocational education and training students will be eligible for a $319.50 payment each week in addition to income support they may already receive, as part of the federal government's budget in mid-May.
• As part of their degrees, teaching students are required to undertake about 600 hours of placement, while aspiring nurses have to do about 800 hours, forcing many to give up part-time jobs for unpaid labour.
• Education Minister Jason Clare says the paid placements are aimed at easing workforce shortages in the care and education sectors.