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Researchers at Charles Darwin University found through research that social work placement is not feasible for Australian students. Researchers said that the Australian students who accept the offer of unpaid internships at university are likely to suffer from the financial crisis and poor mental health outcomes. New research organised by a team of researchers at Charles Darwin University is identifying the consequences of compulsory lengthy, unpaid placement on low socio-economic, rural or remote, and First Nations students. Dr. Lisa Hodge, a senior social work researcher at Charles Darwin University, and her team identified that students who experience financial hardship, such as loss of pay, employment, and stable accommodation as a result of lengthy and unpaid placements, are likely to experience negative mental health and wellbeing. Dr. Lisa Hodge said, “Social work students are predominately women, who might be parents, carers, and sometimes people from low socio-economic backgrounds. So, having these unpaid placements could also heighten the disadvantage for women,”.