Financial support for VET students

A NEW Commonwealth Prac Payment will provide more than five thousand Vocational Education and Training (VET) students – including those studying nursing at TAFE – with $331.65 per week during their mandatory clinical placements.

The payment is expected to ease workforce skills shortages and support the pipeline of critical workforces available to people requiring front-line support, as well as assist more students to commence and complete their studies.

Available from 1 July, eligible VET students undertaking a Diploma of Nursing can apply for a grant covering up to a maximum of 400 compulsory prac placement hours and will be accessible in addition to any income support they currently receive.

The initiative is in addition to 20 per cent of HECS and VET debts being waived from 1 July.

Students can submit an application by using their myGov account and linking to the Your Career Government service, and can also sign in to the portal on the Your Career website using their myGov login details.

On a recent visit to Bendigo, Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said his government is committed to addressing Australia’s skills shortage and doing what’s necessary to boost skills, particularly in industries that provide critical and front-line services.

“The Prac Payment is one of the many initiatives (we’re) rolling out to address skills shortages, build workforce capabilities and increase skills access through vocational training,” he said.

“This payment will ease the financial pressures for students in these important industries, where prac placements are mandatory.

“The payment can be used to support students who have extra costs such as uniforms, travel, temporary accommodation or childcare, during their clinical placements.”

Find out more on the YourCareer website.