JUSTINE DELIVERS FOR NORTH COAST STUDENTS

Local Labor MP Justine Elliot announced that the Albanese Labor Government will deliver two new major initiatives, which will support current and former higher education students on the North Coast.

“Both these major changes will make a big difference to locals on the North Coast, those with HECS debts, and those undertaking mandatory work placements for teaching, nursing, midwifery, and social work qualifcations.

“Labor is making our higher education system work better for students and work better for our economy.

“As your strong voice in the Albanese Government, I’m proud to be delivering this important support for locals,” Justine said.

1.CUTTING STUDENT DEBT

“The frst major change is cutting the student debt of more than three million Australians, including nearly 20,000 here on the North Coast.

“This will wipe around $3 billion in student debt nationally, easing the pressure on workers and students across the country.

“The Government will cap the HELP indexation rate to whatever is lower out of Consumer Price Index or the Wage Price Index with effect from 1 June 2023, and backdate the relief to 1 June last year.

“This will beneft every person with a HELP debt, fxing the issue of last year’s spike in the CPI indexation rate of 7.1 per cent and preventing growth in debt from outpacing wages in the future.

“This will make the system fairer and beneft all Australians with a HELP debt.

“I know many locals with HECS debts are impacted by the indexation increases. Labor listens, and Labor acts.

“By backdating this reform to last year, we’re making sure that those with student loans affected by last year’s jump in indexation get this important cost-ofliving relief.

“This continues our work to ease cost of living pressures and reduce and remove fnancial barriers to education and training,” Justine said.

For individual information see the HELP Indexation Credit Estimator: education. gov.au/HELPestimator.

2. COST-OFLIVING SUPPORT

FOR TEACHING, NURSING AND SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS

“The second initiative is establishing a Commonwealth Prac Payment to support students undertaking mandatory work placements for teaching, nursing, midwifery, and social work qualifcations.

“The payment will provide around 68,000 higher education students and over 5,000 VET students each year with $319.50 per week during their clinical and professional placement periods.

“This payment will provide cost-of-living relief for many students. It will be means-tested and available from 1 July 2025 and will be in addition to any income support a student may also receive.

“The Albanese Labor Government is addressing the care and teaching workforce skills shortages, while assisting more students to commence and complete their studies.

“Some students say prac means giving up their part-time job, and that they don’t have the money to pay the bills.

“This will help encourage more students to study teaching, nursing, and social work, all of which are critical to our local workforce and community.

“This will give people who have signed up to do some of the most important jobs in this country a bit of extra help to get the qualifcations they need,” Justine said.