Alison Byrnes (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024 represents a key step forward in our efforts to improve, and futureproof, Australia's higher education system. The Albanese Labor government understands that receiving a higher education can be life-changing. It's life-changing not only for the individual but also for their families, their communities and the nation as a whole. Quality higher education is about more than just gaining the essential knowledge needed to complete a course; it is about empowering individuals to reach their full potential. A good education opens doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain closed. It equips individuals with the skills and critical thinking necessary to navigate the world that we live in. It also ensures that our workforce remains agile, innovative and capable of tackling the challenges of tomorrow. Investing in higher education is an investment in the future prosperity of our nation and in regions like the Illawarra.

Australia is home to an effective education system, delivered by remarkable institutions, such as the University of Wollongong. But there is more that we can do to make our education system better and fairer for more students. One way the Albanese Labor government is making our education system better and fairer is through this bill. This bill is in response to the Australian Universities Accord Final Report. The report contains 47 recommendations and targets to reform higher education and to help set it up for the next decade and beyond. The report recommends that at least 80 per cent of the workforce will need a VET or university qualification by 2050. Currently, we sit at 60 per cent. That means more Australians from the outer suburbs—regions like the Illawarra—disadvantaged backgrounds and more Indigenous Australians will be going to university. However, we are currently feeling the impact of significant skills shortages, particularly in trades, in technical roles and in the healthcare sector. RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven are completing a two-year research project which will identify skills demands and future opportunities in the Illawarra. The first round of the survey, which surveyed 185 employers, showed that 56 per cent of Illawarra businesses rate the level of skills shortages as either high or extreme.

The Australian Universities Accord:final report also emphasises the importance of innovative education models and comprehensive support for students. Recovery Camp is a social enterprise that was born from research at the University of Wollongong by Dr Lorna Moxham and Dr Christopher Patterson. Their program epitomises these principles from the report by bridging the gap between academic learning and real-life application. Since its inception in 2013, the program has revolutionised mental health education and care. The program's success is a testament to the power of university led initiatives to address critical gaps in health care, education and social services. Students from nursing, psychology, dietetics and other health disciplines engage directly with individuals with lived experience of mental illness in a therapeutic recreational environment. This experience allows them to develop critical clinical skills while challenging and reducing the stigma that often surrounds mental health. A five-year study involving 753 nursing students demonstrated significant improvements in clinical abilities, while another study, involving 874 students, showed a marked reduction in stigma. These outcomes are crucial not only for the future of mental health care but also for increasing interest in mental health nursing, an area that often faces challenges in recruitment and retention.

In addition to the educational benefits, Recovery Camp has a significant impact on participants' mental health outcomes. A 2019 study found a reduction in hospital admissions, bed days, ED presentations and community mental health service contacts among participants, compared to a matched control group. It showed that Recovery Camp participants showed a 42.7 per cent average reduction in mental health service contacts three years post-camp. The camp fosters key recovery outcomes, including increased self-advocacy, hope, confidence and autonomy. The personal stories of participants such as Andy, who has avoided hospital admissions for over a decade thanks to the camp's supportive environment, and Kaylene, who overcame severe social anxiety and depression, highlight the life-changing nature of this program.

By fostering a new generation of empathetic, skilled healthcare professionals and reducing barriers to mental health care, Recovery Camp serves as a model for how universities can lead meaningful social change. They have hosted 44 camps, with plans to host many more, and have provided 1,630 pre-registration health students with more than 130,000 hours of clinical placements. Not only do students and participants benefit from this incredible program; carers also gain the valuable opportunity for much-needed respite.

These students and the many more after them will have gained valuable skills and experience from attending Recovery Camp. However, these and many other clinical placements are currently unpaid. One of the key features of this bill is the introduction of the Commonwealth prac payment. This payment is a targeted financial support scheme for students undertaking mandatory prac placements in essential fields such as teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work. For years students in these fields have been required to complete unpaid placements as part of their degrees. Unpaid prac placements have not only placed significant stress on students but also acted as a barrier to entering these crucial professions. There are far too many students dropping out of these essential courses because of the burden of receiving no or very little income on placement. The Commonwealth prac payment will address the issue by providing eligible students with $319.50 per week, starting from July next year.

In addition to this payment, this bill includes significant measures to address the issue of student debt. The rising cost of higher education has left many graduates burdened with substantial debt, which can take years, if not decades, to repay. The bill proposes a new approach to the indexation of HELP debts, ensuring that they will be indexed at the CPI or the WPI, whichever is lower.

On this side of the House, we want to ensure that indexation doesn't go up faster than wages. On 1 June 2023, the indexation rate was a staggering 7.1 per cent. On 1 June 2024, the indexation rate was 4.7 per cent. These indexation rates make it extremely difficult for anyone with a student debt to pay off that debt and gave the feeling that it is becoming impossible to get ahead. I and many other members in this chamber have sent many letters to the Minister for Education on behalf of the constituents of Cunningham regarding this issue. The minister has listened, and this is why we have also backdated the indexation credits to 1 June 2023. This means that the indexation rate for 2023 would be reduced to 3.2 per cent. The indexation rate for 2024 would be reduced to the WPI figure of four per cent. To put this in perspective, a graduate with a HELP debt of $50,000 will see more than $2,200 wiped from their outstanding balance. This measure is designed not only to support students today but also to provide relief well into the future. With this change, we are expecting to help over three million Australians get rid of an estimated $3 billion of student debt across the country.

Another way this bill will help more students is by expanding the number of fee-free uni-ready courses. These courses are designed to provide foundational skills and academic preparation to students who may not have had access to higher education. Many potential university students face barriers, whether it's inadequate academic preparation, socioeconomic challenges or a lack of support. These uni-ready places are tailored to address these obstacles, helping students build the confidence, skills and knowledge that they need to thrive in their university studies.

The University of Wollongong is not just an educational institution; it is a vital part of our community and our local economy. It has consistently ranked among the top universities in Australia, and globally it is known for its cutting-edge research, high-quality teaching and strong connections with industry. I have spoken with a number of students from the University of Wollongong who have said that the introduction of the Commonwealth prac payment will be a welcome relief to anyone completing teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work courses. As I've mentioned, prac payments can be financially stressful for students, who are required to complete full-time placements with limited or no income. For students in healthcare fields such as nursing or psychology, the practical experience gained during placements is invaluable, particularly when they are given the opportunities to engage in innovative programs like Recovery Camp. These measures will not only alleviate financial pressures on students but will also enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education. This will ensure that our universities continue to produce the skilled professionals and innovative thinkers that our nation needs.

The Albanese Labor government is committed to ensuring that every Australian, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to access quality higher education. I would like to thank the Minister for Education for truly listening to the concerns of my community and other communities around Australia regarding reducing student debts and the introduction of the prac payment. Concerns were raised particularly around reducing financial barriers, expanding access and ensuring our regional institutions, like the University of Wollongong, continue to thrive. This is all reflected in this bill. By supporting our higher education students, we are building a stronger, more equitable Australia where education serves as the foundation for a brighter future for all.

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