Western Sydney University Margaret Whitlam Chair Professor Linda Briskman writes about a campaign to address student poverty through the provision of paid placements for social work students. The campaign showcases the importance of collaborations in advancing human rights, including the right to education.
A consortium comprising the Australian Council of Heads of Social Work Education, Students Against Placement Poverty and the Australian Services Union worked tirelessly to ensure that social work students receive a stipend during compulsory internships.
From 2025, domestic nursing, teaching and social work students will receive a modest sum to assist with the costs incurred during placement and in recognition that most need to relinquish paid work for this integral component of their studies. In these feminised professions, research has revealed that disadvantage and poverty are rife for students.