The National Union of Students welcomes suggestions from the 2020 Summit to relieve the burden of HECS debts but is concerned that only targeting volunteer work could mean that the most struggling and disadvantaged university students are unable to access the discounts.
“The National Union of Students will support any measure to reduce HECS debts. However, the reality is that the average uni student struggles to balance part time employment with study commitments in order to cover basic living costs. There simply is not much free time on top of this to commit to volunteer work. Generally, it is only wealthier students who do not have to work while studying that can devote themselves to volunteering,” said Angus McFarland, National President of the National Union of Students.
“It is important that if any discount system is introduced it can be accessed by all students. An alternative NUS has put forward is that discounts are applied to courses in community development areas (teaching, nursing, social work, engineering). There also should be cross the board HECS reductions to boost graduate participation in the economy,” Mr McFarland went on to say.
“A HECS discount system for volunteer work could only work if coupled with income support incentives so that all university students can access the program,” Mr McFarland said.
Your Student Union is an affiliated member of the National Union of Students.
