Juggling study and work can be a struggle at the best of times.

But some uni students are also required to complete thousands of unpaid hours for placement, and many say 'placement poverty' is causing severe financial and psychological distress. 

Now, a group of students and politicians are calling for the government to expand its paid placement scheme. 

Last year, the government started paying students in nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work degrees a small wage during their mandatory placement. 

But students in medicine, speech pathology, dentistry, pharmacy, OT and other courses are not included. 

In this episode, we hear what it's like struggling to get by while on placement and unpack a new proposal to expand the scheme.

Guests: 

• Seniru Mudannayake, president, Australian Medical Students' Association 

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