Its 2022, we're in our third year of dealing with the stressors of COVID and the need for mental health professionals is increasing by the day.

The Andrews government has made promises such as extra funding for mental health services and putting mental health professionals in all state government schools across Victoria.

If the need is there for Victoria, it'll be there for the rest of the country as well.

Where do all these mental health professionals come from though? I can explain that.

They come from the social work students, the psychology students and the numerous other students who study mental health related degrees, diplomas and postgraduate study throughout the country.

All of these students are required to complete a certain amount of UNPAID placement hours to gain their qualifications.

For example: Social Work students are required to complete 1000 hours throughout their degrees to gain their qualification.

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) have stipulated an unrealistic expectation that these hours can not be paid and expect students to go without any income for the two lots of 500 hours (1000 in total).

Why is this unrealistic? Here are some reasons:

1. If the average social work student were to earn the minimum wage of Australia whilst studying they earn $20.33 an hour. So with having to work FOR FREE for 1000 hours, the AASW is essentially making students lose $20,330 in income during that time.

2. Students who have more than three years full-time experience in a related field can apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) for one of their placements, but are still required to do one. From my experience the social work students are often mature aged students who have worked in the sector for many more than three years and are able to show they are competent at preforming their duties without having to work for free. 

3. As stated above, from my experience social work students are often mature aged students. Mature age, comes with more responsibility. Children, mortgages and general living expenses etc. How is a family supposed to afford to lose one of their incomes for 6 months in total over the course of a four year degree? Please note, there are definitely students who are not mature aged who still need to complete the placement, and the 1000 hours of unpaid work is hard on them as well, however I am just highlighting what I have experienced.

4. When an organisation is employing a new employee, they can not allow the person to do a six month probation period that is unpaid. Social Work students may not do a role to the full capacity of a qualified social worker whilst on placement, but they are still expected to do the work. Why is it deemed ok for social work students to do this work unpaid?

5. A first year mature aged apprentice carpenter is paid approximately $23.38 per hour. By the time a social work student gets to their first placement they have finished two years of their degree and have very likely got at least a few years of full-time work experience in the field up their sleeve. Why are they not being paid the same as a 1st year mature aged apprentice carpenter for at least the time of their placements? The carpenter on this income is not expected to work to the full capacity of that of a qualified carpenter, much the same as a social work student on placement.

6. The AASW claim to stand for social justice, they even have students and qualified social workers follow their code of conduct. But by making social work students work for free for 1000 hours, the are effectively widening the gap on social injustices.

7. The country is screaming for mental health support, but students are worn out before they even graduate from already working in the sector and needing to meet these unrealistic placement requirements.

So what can be done?

Here are some suggestions:

1. The Government could support students and pay them at the very least minimum wage whilst on placement. 

2. Assess everything on a case by case basis. Students who have a number of years experience and other qualifications relevant to their industry don't require the same amount of placement hours as students who are new into the sector.

3. Provide financial assistance to students on placement such as vouchers for fuel and food to make getting through placement easier.

The current requirements are set up with the thought process that all students are straight out of high school with no industry experience, living at home with no bills or responsibilities. This is NOT the case! Many students don't finish their degrees because they can't survive the placement hours. SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE or we will lose to many of our future mental health professionals. 

Please sign this petition to help close the gap that myself and all other students undertaking degrees with unpaid placement face.