Tens of thousands of healthcare students are expected to get up to $338 per week as the federal government expands its practical placement payments to 10 new professions.
Australians studying clinical psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, pharmacy, paramedicine, radiography, rehabilitation therapies, audiology and podiatry will be able to access the payments from July 1, 2027.
The government has extended its paid prac program to 10 new professions. Nine
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will announce the change during a speech to the Labor Party conference in Adelaide on Thursday.
“I’ve heard from students who had to go straight from their hospital placement to their part-time job, just to pay the rent. Others who had to move back home to get through,” he will say.
“Paid prac has changed their life, and today we build on its success.
“Today I announce we will expand paid prac to physio and occupational therapy, clinical psychology, pharmacy and podiatry, speech pathology, audiology, radiography, rehab therapies, and our future paramedics.”
Paid practical payments were introduced in the 2024-25 budget, with $427 million to support students over the following three years.
The rate is means-tested, benchmarked to the Austudy rate and indexed annually.
It already covers teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students and has now been expanded to the 10 new professions.
Students are unpaid for the work they do during their practical placements, which can sometimes take up to 12 months.
Some also have to relocate or travel to complete their training.
“This is one of those reforms where it is hard to believe that it didn’t already exist,” Albanese will say.
More healthcare workers will be supported through their practical placements. Supplied
Health Minister Mark Butler said supporting healthcare students was crucial for the country.
“These are people who are going to look after us when we’re sick or old, helping women during childbirth, helping Australians living with disability,” he said.
“This expansion means that if you’re training to be a pharmacist, physio or psychologist, you’ll also now have a bit of extra help to get through.
“This will make a big difference for students doing placements in the bush who face extra costs when they’re training away from home.”