MGA'S LOBBYING EFFORTS TO INCREASE HDR STIPENDS

Ongoing advocacy for fair HDR stipends and student wellbeing

The MGA is currently advocating for an increase to the RTP stipend rate, aligned with the minimum wage and informed by a framework similar to the lobbying efforts undertaken in 2024.

As part of this ongoing work, our HDR students have also made a formal submission to the University calling for renewed efforts in this area, drawing on key findings from recent graduate student satisfaction surveys. You can read the full proposal here.

While this campaign may not always be visible through public rallies, it remains a consistent and active priority behind the scenes. 

The MGA continues to raise the issue of graduate student financial hardship in every relevant University meeting, present evidence directly to Faculty Associate Deans (Graduate Research), and highlight the well-established links between financial insecurity, mental health, and completion outcomes.

This is sustained, ongoing advocacy work that we continue to pursue in the background, recognising how critical this issue is for our HDR cohort.

 

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If you're facing financial hardship, please know that the MGA offers a Welfare Assistance Program and other support programs to assist you. We also have a range of support guides with lists of resources for financial, mental health, and academic success to support you through your graduate studies journey.

Have questions, contributions, or ideas for lobbying? Get in touch with our Campaigns Officer, Jack Kennedy (jack.kennedy@monash.edu) to get involved in our advocacy efforts.