AMSA Calls On Government To Act On Full Fee Degrees, Australia

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 07 Jan 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) called on the Federal Government to outline details of their plans to scrap domestic undergraduate full-fee paying (DUFF) places at Australian Universities.

This call comes as Howard government legislation to remove the 25% cap on the number of full-fee paying places universities can offer came into effect on 1 January 2008.

"The new Government must honour its commitment to abolish this scheme so that we don't see another full-fee paying intake beyond 2008," AMSA National President Michael Bonning said.

"The Howard Government decision to allow universities to create full-fee paying places effectively removed the equity of access to tertiary education in Australia.

"The core issue is not just equity of access - there are also deeper implications for student well-being and for the future of the Australian healthcare system," Mr. Bonning said.

"Full-fee paying medical degrees cost up to $240 000 and this level of debt has a profound effect on students' wellbeing and future career choices.

"International experience suggests students with this level of debt will seek out careers in what are perceived as more lucrative specialties, forgoing careers in general practice and other areas of workforce shortage," Mr. Bonning said.

At the same time the Federal Government must commit to a funding model which adequately compensates universities for the loss of revenue from full-fee paying places.

"With recent increases in medical student numbers clinical training resources are already stretched to near breaking point.

"Any compensation package must adequately fund an expansion of clinical training resources so that Australia can continue to produce the highest calibre of medical graduates," Mr. Bonning said.

Australian Medical Students' Association