Paid student placements for teachers, nurses, midwives, social workers

Paid student placements will come into play for four fields of study across the country. Find out which sectors will benefit and how much they’ll be paid.

Student teachers, nurses, midwives, and social workers will soon be paid for their time learning on the job.

The nation’s future education and health workforce will be paid $319.50 per week during their student placements.

The financial assistance will take effect as of July 1, 2025 and will be added to an additional income support a student might receive.

Previously, students needed to attend unpaid work placements to complete their qualifications, adding to their cost of living pressures while they were forced to take time away from paid work.

Student nurses, teachers, midwives, and social workers will be paid $319.50 per week while on placement from July 1, 2025. Picture Mark Brake

Charles Darwin University was one of six dual-sector institutions who co-signed a submission to the Australian Universities Accord last year calling for paid student placements.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Reuben Bolt said successful completion of student placements was one of the biggest hurdles to completing a given qualification.

“Many students, particularly those from low socio-economic areas, need to pause or give up paid work or even relocate to complete the required placement hours” Mr Bolt said.

“Some must choose between filling their car with petrol in order to travel to their placements or having enough food for the week.

“The Commonwealth government establishing a Prac Payment to support students will help ease cost-of-living pressures for our students and we are incredibly happy that the government has taken the advice of the Universities Accord.”

Mr Bolt said he hoped to see more students consider a career in healthcare or education thanks to the additional financial support.

He said he hoped to see more study areas included in the commitment in the future to “ensure all students have an equal opportunity to enter their chosen area of the workforce“.