A $331 per week 'Prac Payment' to support student nurses and midwives during clinical placements, set to come into effect in July, would be axed under a Dutton government, costings released just two days out from the federal election revealed.

A range of other cuts, aimed at improving the nation’s budget bottom line, include getting rid of key Labor policies such as fee-free TAFE and a 20% reduction in HELP or student loan debt.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation which has long advocated for the ‘Prac Payment’ to help alleviate widespread ‘placement poverty’ experienced by student nurses and midwives and help them complete their studies, said it was deeply concerned about the negative impacts of the plan.

“We know that placement poverty is a real issue for students who lose income from their regular paid jobs and then have to pay for a range of everyday costs, like finding an affordable rental property, parking, tolls, childcare, uniforms and other clinical tools whilst they’re training,” ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said.

From July this year, eligible student nurses and midwives will receive just over $331 while undertaking their mandatory 800 hours-plus of clinical placements as part of their courses.

According to the Opposition, the ‘Prac Payment’ will be switched to a loan that needs to be paid back, rather than a grant, to cut costs.  

Ms Butler said the Coalition’s plans would combine to have a devastating impact on the next generation of nurses and midwives, meaning that the professions “couldn’t risk a government led by Peter Dutton”.

The Coalition’s sweeping cuts to education also came under fire from other leading unions.

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