Independent Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, has welcomed news the government will expand payments for mandatory practical placements to allied health students, marking a major victory in her campaign to address “placement poverty” among Australia’s future health workforce.
The government has announced it will expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment from 1 July 2027 to include students studying in clinical psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, paramedicine, radiography, pharmacy, rehabilitation therapies, audiology and podiatry.
The announcement follows sustained advocacy spanning nearly two-years by Dr Haines, in conjunction with peak body Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), Senator David Pocock and members of the crossbench.
Dr Haines first called for allied health students to be included in the Paid Prac Payment scheme when the legislation was introduced to Parliament in September 2024. She successfully negotiated an amendment to the legislation requiring a three-year review of the scheme to pave a path for support to include more health disciplines.
Most recently, Dr Haines joined independent Senator David Pocock to present a petition signed by more than 43,000 people calling for the scheme to be expanded.
Dr Haines said students must complete hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of hours of mandatory placement without pay and this decision would be welcomed by students, universities, health providers and regional communities struggling with critical workforce shortages.
“This is fantastic news for allied health students across Australia and will alleviate enormous pressure on students trying to juggle study, placement and their day-to-day bills.
“I’ve heard from students from across Indi and around Australia who have told me they skipped meals, delayed paying bills, travelled thousands of kilometres for placement, and questioned whether they could afford to finish their studies.
“At a time of urgent health workforce shortages, particularly in rural and regional Australia, we cannot afford to have financial pressures preventing students from completing health degrees.”
Dr Haines commended AHPA and other advocacy groups that helped build strong community and sector support for reform.
“This campaign united students, universities, professional bodies, health services and parliamentarians from across the country around a clear message: allied health and medical students should not be left behind.
“I particularly want to acknowledge Allied Health Professions Australia, who we worked with closely with on this campaign to build a strong case for change.
“This decision will make a real difference to students across Australia and help strengthen Australia’s future health workforce.”
Dr Haines said she looked forward to seeing further details of the government’s proposal and urged its swift implementation, noting the government was still not extending payments to medical students.
“While this is a significant step forward, medical students and others required to complete mandatory placements continue to face many of the same financial pressures.”
ENDS