IFSW congratulates student advocacy movements, the Australian Association of Social Workers, the Australian Council of Heads of Social Work Education, and all other involved parties for their successful lobbying of government ministers to secure payments for social work students during their placements.
During their 1000-hour practicums social work students, as well as nursing and teaching students, will receive a weekly government payment of $319.50. It is recognised that this is a minimal payment given the costs of living in Australia but will alleviate ‘placement poverty’. The Australian Association of Social Workers CEO Cindy Smith commented, “Members of our AASW community have voiced concerns regarding financial stress, from student level and beyond. We applaud this initiative, recognising it as a positive step towards addressing the challenges encountered by students in social work.”
The Australian Council of Heads of Social Work Education, comprising 38 universities across the country, stated “Social work placements, alongside teaching and nursing, have been recognised as an equity issue in feminised professions where many students, urban and rural, face considerable disadvantage. The achievement paves the way for future endeavours to overcome student poverty in social work, teaching, nursing and midwifery”.
IFSW Secretary-General, Rory Truell congratulated all the parties. He said, ‘This is a wonderful demonstration of students, national associations, university educators and others taking joint action to address the challenges faced by social work students. This problem is not limited to Australia as most governments provide little support for social work training even though social work, like nursing and teaching, is essential for every society. While this is a first step, it acts as an inspiration for further action in Australia and everywhere”.