I'm a full time Australian uni student, living away from home. I've completed 7 weeks of mandatory practical work- full time, 8 hour, 5 days a week work- and I'll be doing increasingly more as my course continues.
I cannot understand why TAFE apprentices get paid a training wage for their work, but uni students don't? I'm expected to fully participate and carry the workload of an employee, but dont get paid a cent, under the guise of 'education'; however apprenticeships are educational also. I obviously understand not being paid a normal wage, but I am losing money in travel and food and -in some circumstances- accomodation. It is impossible to hold down a full time job and complete full time uni practical hours. I do not get centrelink. Is this a government level decision…? I just don't understand.