At a time of urgent workforce shortages, financial barriers should not prevent students from completing their qualifications. Allied health students are essential to Australia's health system, and equitable access to placement support must be a national priority.
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) together with Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) joined Independent Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines MP and ACT Senator David Pocock to launch a national petition calling on the Australian Government to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment to include all allied health students.
Australia is facing chronic workforce shortages across many allied health disciplines. Yet students are required to complete hundreds – and in some cases thousands – of hours of mandatory unpaid clinical placement as part of their training. For many, this leads to severe financial hardship, often described as placement poverty, as students lose income and face increased costs for rent, travel and food.
AHPA Chief Executive Officer Bronwyn Morris-Donovan said expanding the Commonwealth Prac Payment is a practical and immediate step the Government can take to help secure the future workforce.
"With more than half the allied health professions in national workforce shortage, expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment to include allied health is a simple and effective way to ensure Australians can continue to access essential allied health services across the NDIS, aged care and other health settings."
Ms Morris-Donovan warned the current approach is placing unnecessary pressure on students and undermining workforce sustainability.
"Extending the Prac Payment to allied health students is not optional – it's essential. Our future workforce is being held back by financial barriers that have nothing to do with capability and everything to do with affordability."
"Placement poverty is pushing talented students to the brink. If we want a strong, sustainable health, disability, and aged care workforce, we must ensure students can complete their training without sacrificing their wellbeing or financial security."
She also highlighted the disproportionate impact on students already facing barriers.
"Unpaid placements hit hardest for students already facing financial pressure and barriers – including those from rural areas, mature‑age students with caring responsibilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and anyone experiencing financial disadvantage. Expansion of the Program is crucial if we are serious about building a more diverse workforce and ensuring every student has a fair chance to complete their training."
AHPA welcomes the support of MPs standing with the sector.
"Addressing this gap in Commonwealth Prac Payments would remove a clear barrier for students and strengthen the pipeline of allied health professionals Australia urgently needs," Morris-Donovan said.
The Commonwealth Prac Payment currently supports eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students. Expanding the program to include all allied health and medical students would help reduce placement poverty and support a sustainable health workforce.
APS is calling on allied health professionals nationwide to add their signature and support urgent reform to ensure students can complete their training without financial hardship.
