Anonymous #05

Name (Individual/Organisation)

Anonymous #05

Responses

Q1. How could the purpose in the ARC Act be revised to reflect the current and future role of the ARC?

For example, should the ARC Act be amended to specify in legislation:
(a) the scope of research funding supported by the ARC
(b) the balance of Discovery and Linkage research programs
(c) the role of the ARC in actively shaping the research landscape in Australia
(d) any other functions?

If so, what scope, functions and role?

If not, please suggest alternative ways to clarify and define these functions.

I am a domestic phd student, single, no family or relatives. I'm completing my degree in chemistry to work in the field I love and I believe will be an important industry for Australia.

Phd stipends have not been meeting inflation and I almost want to quit, despite having already been educated in my phd for almost 2 yrs. Those of us who started our studies before or during covid are struggling to pay for the cost of living in the city of our university and i was expecting the RTP stipend to go up to meet changes in the economy for 2023. I have been rejected from sharehouses because the 550/week I make is not meeting 30% criteria. I can get seasonal work like tutoring but this is not enough to appease property managers. I am lucky now to have got a place to stay in community housing but I don't know who might be less lucky soon. Ive had friends experience secondary homelessness including myself, sleeping on couches for weeks. We are living in poverty and my agreement asks I work minimum 40 hrs per week, I struggle to find a permanent second job. We need help. Our uni doesnt have any mental health services and I pay $75 per week after Medicare rebate to see my psychologist. My rent is above the 30% threshold, I pay my own electricity and phone. I have applied for top up scholarships and haven't received any yet, and there's less of them to go around at my uni. I'm scared i might not be able to afford to live and continue my phd at the same time next year. We need help.

Submission received

21 November 2022

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