24/02/2025
I often have discussions on why free or very low cost tertiary education is of benefit to everyone. Some of us got it free. Some of us paid for it. For those who paid or have a debt (which needs an overhaul and is a whole topic in itself) there are some that think well I had to pay it. Why should others get it easy? (again a whole topic for another time). Once you have that Uni degree, or apprenticeship or even Cert IV in something or the other, you end up earning more right? Why help someone get more when I cant?
My answer is the cost to benefit ratio. Who benefits if people are able to go out and work in a specialised field. Especially if their skills are better aligned or they have a talent? Lets look at a current skills shortage. Medical.
How many of you have had truly crap interactions with a GP, a nurse, or a specialist? Been misdiagnosed or just not treated well, as that person who clearly doesn't like people very much, went into a field that paid well, and they had the ability to pay the fees, pay the rent and put food on the table.
In your circle of family and friends who would make a great doctor? or could have if they didn't have to leave school as soon as they could to be an apprentice or get a job because they hated being poor? Or just a necessity because it would have meant not just Poor but poverty stricken? Even now, before you go to a doctor you might ring this person first and discuss your symptoms and course of action because they listen, have an ability to collect disparate information and suggest some possible things to ask the doctor about? (Not a diagnosis but its funny how those suggestions ended up being correct) Now these people may never have wanted to become doctors, but they had no options open to explore this. I wonder how many lives may have been made better, and even saved, if these people with real aptitude could do the job, instead of those who just had the money to do it and felt it was a job worthy of them.
Currently urgent wait times to see a Paediatrician is two years for new patients. Neuro psychologists about 3 (for adult diagnosis for things like ASD or complex disabilities across a range of domains) If you do get a diagnosis like ADHD you need to see a Psychiatrist to get meds renewed regularly, even if your GP can do a few repeats, if you HAVE a GP who you have been able to see regularly, that is. And we all know what's happening in NSW with the Psychiatrists.
Endocrinologists, Oncologists, Cardiologists don't even get me started... And of course since there is such a shortage none of them will bulk bill- which means presentation at the ED for many (which costs the taxpayer a heck of a lot more,) goes up. Because it's free, and desperate sick people will sit all day for help.
Nursing staff, who are often the first line of defense in a hospital? Don't they all speak with lovely accents as we madly recruit from overseas since even if you can get into your three year degree, no one will employ newly qualified nurses (another topic for another time). I'm betting having to manage chronic health conditions via the Emergency department costs the health system and the tax payer a heck of a lot more per annum than the total cost of degrees that year. (I could look it up but every time I have the results come out the same)
Sure that individual will get paid more in their lifetime than you will because we subsidised their degree. But when you are waiting in the ED next time with someone who's suffering and cant be seen yet I bet those dollars aren't so begrudged.
And that's just Health. There's Engineering, Law, Community services, Economics, and even the Arts. My life has been enriched by every piece of street art I've passed along St Georges terrace. (yeah everyone loves the Kangaroos but have you seen the giant paper planes one with a crumpled nose? Makes me smile every time I pass it.)
So what if individuals benefit? We all benefit along with it. That's worth paying for it.
