9 December 2025
Following meetings with medical radiation science students and ASMIRT representatives, Independent MPs Helen Haines and Dr Sophie Scamps have spoken in Parliament about placement poverty.
They say Medical Radiation Science (MRS) students doing compulsory unpaid placements are facing financial stress, emotional strain and physical exhaustion.
Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines said “A recent survey by the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy found 95 per cent of medical radiation science students are not confident they can manage to support themselves financially during full-time placement. Worryingly, almost 10 per cent say they plan to skip meals, sleep in their cars, defer subjects or drop out entirely.”
Dr Sophie Scamps MP read out the following testimonials from MRS and other allied health students about unpaid placements.
One student said:
I go without food, and work outside of placement hours to afford accommodation. This cycle is exhausting and restrains my time to study whilst on placement.
Another said:
Being able to work and support myself during a full time 36-week placement has been virtually impossible and incredibly stressful. It has had a huge impact on my mental health.
Another said:
I feel extremely burnt out and exhausted and struggle to apply myself on placement academically.
Another said:
There is an assumption that we all live at home with parents that can afford to support us, when many of us don't. I feel that financial stress has greatly impacted by grades and health over the placements these past three years. I have considered dropping out many times.
From 1 July 2025, the Australian Government has provided a Commonwealth Prac Payment of $331.65 per week to students completing unpaid placements in nursing, midwifery, social work and teaching. MRS students were not included, despite having one of the highest practical placement hour requirements of any profession.
ASMIRT has written to the government to request the inclusion of MRS students, and ASMIRT President Naomi Gibson is personally meeting with Members of Parliament to discuss placement poverty. ASMIRT will continue to advocate on this issue.
