100 signatures reached
To: The Hon. Jacinta Allan - Victorian Minister for Public Transport
Concessions for Victorian Postgraduate Students
Give full-time postgraduate students in Victoria the same rights as their counterparts in every other Australia state and territory. While some students have the opportunity to apply low a low-income healthcare card, this is not applicable to students who earn over the threshold. It is also difficult for full-time students to find time to attend Centrelink, as their time in business hours is often consumed by uni, study, and work.
Why is this important?
The number of full-time domestic postgraduate students in Victoria has more than doubled in the last 10 years—from 13,858 in 2005 to 28,798 in 2015 —while part-time domestic postgraduate enrolments have remained steady (1). The changing nature of domestic postgraduate study requires a different approach from the Victorian government, one that recognises that full-time students at all levels of study deserve the same support (2).
Students often work jobs that are low paying. Furthermore, students often are involved in volunteering and unpaid internships.
It is not sustainable for a person to be working full-time and studying full-time. These students are using their time to study, and will proceed to use these skills to contribute to the workforce of Victoria. While they are unable to work, but are refining these skills, they deserve the support of their government - like in every other state.
Victoria, as seen on our number plates, refers to itself as "The Education State" - it's time that this is reflected in its policies.
A myki full fare daily fare is (Zones 1+2) is $8.60. A concession daily fare (Zones 1+2) is $4.30. (1). University students generally have two 12 week semesters a year. If attending 5 days a week, that is a total of 120 days, the difference in cost is $516 a year. For those living out of home and not working full-time, that is a lot of money.
1. Department of Education and Training 2016, Higher Education Statistics Data Cube (uCube)
2. Fares Fair PTV position paper Public transport concessions for Victorian postgraduate students, March 2017.
http://faresfairptv.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Fares-Fair-PTV-Position-Paper.pdf