WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL 2025 MEDIA RELEASE:
KATE HOOK’S STANCE FOR FAIR AND EQUITABLE TERTIARY EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL STUDENTS IN CALARE
Community independent candidate for Calare, Kate Hook, has announced a detailed education policy for regional tertiary students. Her policy demands to see changes made to ensure regional students can access and complete higher education without unfair and unnecessary rules getting in the way.
“To build a strong and sustainable regional workforce, we must ensure that students from rural and regional areas receive the financial support they need to complete their degrees without undue hardship,” said Ms Hook. “This includes removing barriers that disproportionately impact students who must relocate for university and ensuring essential worker trainees—such as teachers, nurses, midwives, medical and allied health students—are not left struggling during mandatory unpaid placements.”
Students from regional areas who pursue higher education often return to their hometowns or nearby regional communities to live and work once qualified. However, financial barriers frequently prevent them from completing their studies, contributing to workforce shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and social services.
“By investing in fairer financial assistance, practical placement support, and stronger regional education pathways, we can create opportunities for students to succeed while strengthening the future workforce and economy of Calare.”
The Key Issues Impacting Regional University Students
1. Unfair Financial Assistance Rules
- Parental Income Thresholds Are Too Low – Youth Allowance payments are reduced when parental income exceeds approximately $55,000, and all assistance is cut off at around $75,000. These thresholds fail to reflect the real cost of supporting a student who must live away from home.
- Dependency Age Restriction – Students under 21 are considered financially dependent on their parents, even when they live independently for university. This prevents them from accessing the financial support they need during the most critical years of their studies.
2. Unpaid Practical Placements in Essential Sectors
- Financial Hardship for Health Students – Students in nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, medicine, and other health courses must complete compulsory unpaid placements lasting 4–6 weeks. Many are forced to stop working during these placements while still covering rent, food, and transport costs.
- Increased Costs for Regional Students – Those studying in regional areas often need to travel long distances or temporarily relocate for placements, further increasing their financial burden.
- Workforce Shortages – Without better financial support, many students are unable to complete their qualifications, exacerbating workforce shortages in regional healthcare and other essential services.
Kate Hook’s Plan for Equitable Tertiary Education Support
1. Reform Financial Assistance for Regional Students
- Lower the Age of Independence for Financial Support – Reduce the age at which students are considered independent for Youth Allowance, allowing those living away from home to access financial support earlier.
- Adjust Parental Income Tests – Reform the parental income test to better reflect real living costs for regional students, preventing middle-income families from being unfairly excluded from assistance.
- Improve Access to Financial Assistance Information – Ensure students and families have clear, accessible information about available financial support, making it easier to navigate the system and plan for university.
2. Introduce Financial Support for Unpaid Practical Placements
- Placement Support Payments – Introduce direct financial assistance for students completing mandatory unpaid placements in health and other essential sectors.
- Regional Placement Grants – Provide targeted grants or subsidies to support students who must relocate for placements, covering travel, accommodation, and living expenses.
- Develop Paid Placement Models in Critical Sectors – Advocate for paid placements in industries facing significant workforce shortages, such as teaching, nursing, aged care, and allied health.
3. Strengthen Regional Education Pathways
- Expand Regional University and Training Options – Advocate for the expansion of regional university courses and training programs, reducing the need for students to relocate.
- Increase Local Placement Opportunities – Strengthen partnerships between universities, hospitals, and businesses to create more regional placement opportunities, reducing the need for students to travel for practical experience.
- Encourage Regional Workforce Retention – Support policies that help graduates stay in regional areas or relocate back to their hometowns and regions after completing their studies, ensuring local communities benefit from skilled professionals.
Why This Matters for Calare
Reforming financial assistance and increasing support for students in regional areas will:
- Expand University Access – More students will be able to afford higher education without financial stress.
- Address Workforce Shortages – More qualified professionals in healthcare, education, and essential services will remain in or return to regional communities.
- Strengthen Regional Economies – Investing in education creates stronger, more resilient rural and regional communities.
“I am absolutely committed to regional education equity, to removing financial barriers to higher education, ensuring that no student is forced to choose between financial hardship and their future. By tackling these inequities, we can create a fairer, stronger future for regional students and communities in Calare.”