{"id":29512,"date":"2025-10-15T09:24:58","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T01:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=media-release&p=29512"},"modified":"2025-10-15T09:25:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T01:25:01","slug":"new-acses-equity-fellowship-report-calls-for-fairer-student-placements","status":"publish","type":"media-release","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/media-release\/new-acses-equity-fellowship-report-calls-for-fairer-student-placements\/","title":{"rendered":"New ACSES Equity Fellowship report calls for fairer student placements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success<\/a> (ACSES) has today released a new Equity Fellowship report identifying how universities, industry and government can help create a fairer, more inclusive experience for students required to undertake work placements as part of their studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project saw students and educators co-develop dozens of practical solutions to address the issues facing tertiary students in courses with mandatory industry placements, such as teaching and nursing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommendations from the report include expanded financial support, greater flexibility and a focus on inclusivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACSES Research and Policy Program Director Professor Ian Li<\/a> said many students can be disadvantaged when required to participate in mandatory placements for their study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey can miss out on paid employment opportunities while having to cover living expenses and tuition fees, which is especially stark given the cost-of-living crisis we are in at the moment,\u201d Professor Li said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany students are also asked to compromise on other core responsibilities, such as caring for family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe obstacles are particularly prevalent for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associate Professor Amani Bell from the University of Sydney\u2019s Faculty of Medicine and Health authored the report, supported by student co-researchers Minahil Khan, Lachlan Sibir, Tara Soanes and Tina Tran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associate Professor Bell said while the introduction of measures such as Commonwealth Prac Payments was welcome, the research highlights more can be done to support students on their placements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis project brought together equity-deserving students with university and placement educators, which was productive in co-developing solutions.\u201d Associate Professor Bell said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWoking with four amazing student co-researchers and a wider group of 74 students and educators from across Australia, together we generated 40 practical solutions to tackle placement poverty and exclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe report provides a practical roadmap for universities, governments and industry to ensure placements contribute to equity and success, rather than reinforcing disadvantage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key findings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n