12 August 2026
Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has met with Education Minister Jason Care to push the case for veterinary students to receive support under the Commonwealth Practical Placements program.
“I have had productive discussions with Minister Clare, both yesterday and today, in relation to this important matter,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Minister is aware of the situation facing students and particularly the financial hardship faced by those veterinary students at Wagga Wagga.
“The Vet course at Charles Sturt University is world leading and the students undertaking that course, who are the best of the best, deserve and need every assistance to help them achieve their goal.
“The Minister visited the Wagga Wagga CSU campus last week to launch the connected pathways program as a bridge between university and TAFE and I acknowledge this initiative.”
There is a long list of courses for which students are able to receive, rightly, paid practicum support whilst completing compulsory placements.
These previously included teachers, nursing, midwifery, social work and now this has been extended for physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, pharmacy, radiography, audiology, rehabilitation therapy, podiatry and to paramedics.
“Why not vets?” Mr McCormack asked.
Students undertake lengthy compulsory placements, often in regional and rural communities where the need for vets is greatest.
“Veterinary students are doing the hard yards to become the vets our farmers, livestock producers and regional communities desperately need,” Mr McCormack said.
“They should not be forced to choose between completing their compulsory placements and putting food on the table.
“About 60 to 65 veterinary science students graduate from CSU Wagga Wagga every year, with 90 per cent of them choosing to stay in a rural and regional practice.”
Final-year Charles Sturt University veterinary student Hannah Chick said studying in a rural area came with additional financial and logistical challenges, particularly when it came to completing compulsory placements.
“Being in a rural area means access to services and clinics is limited and students often have to travel much further distances to complete placements,” Miss Chick said.
“Because many of our placements are in rural areas, we can also be travelling huge distances between placements. I have travelled between Wagga Wagga and Warrnambool, which are around 700 kilometres apart. All of those costs add up, while we are also expected to complete demanding placements and university assignments.
Miss Chick said the financial pressure meant students were sometimes forced to make decisions based on their ability to afford a placement, rather than where they could gain the best experience.
“Practical payments would take a huge financial burden off veterinary students,” Miss Chick said.
“I have had to give up exciting placement opportunities and instead prioritise placements in Wagga Wagga, where I have a rental, or near family and friends to reduce the cost of living and travel.
“I have also had to take time off between placements to work so I can help fund my studies.
“Placements can involve long days, often from 8am to 6pm, five days a week, as well as after-hours work and university assignments. While we are recommended not to work during our 12 months of final-year placements because of how demanding the rotations are, for many students that simply isn’t financially feasible.
“A practical payment for veterinary students would allow us to make the most of our placement opportunities without being limited by our finances. It would also give us more time to rest, complete our university work and look after our physical and mental wellbeing, rather than having to work excessive hours just to fund our studies.”
Mr McCormack said the Albanese Labor Government needed to recognise the unique challenges facing veterinary students and the importance of supporting the future regional veterinary workforce.
“Every veterinary student we help through their training is an investment in the future of regional Australia.” Mr McCormack said.
ENDS