The Health Services Union (HSU) and Health Students Alliance (HSA) have warned allied health students are skipping meals and considering dropping out because they are missing out on critical federal support.
The HSU and HSA are urging the Albanese Government to extend its Commonwealth Prac Payment to all allied health students, who aside from social workers, are excluded from the scheme.
In a joint letter to Education Minister Jason Clare, the two groups express their ongoing support for the payment of $331 a week being made to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students.
But they sound a dire warning about students in other health disciplines who are: "foregoing meals, struggling to pay bills, and being forced to decide whether they can afford to continue their studies".
Pharmacists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, podiatrists, radiation therapists and psychologists are among these critical roles in allied health.
HSU National Secretary Lloyd Williams said:
"The Albanese Government must be congratulated on its bold Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students.
"But it's clear the exclusion of critical allied health care disciplines is pushing students to the brink, which has heartbreaking personal consequences and puts the country at risk of turning a workforce crisis into catastrophe.
"Students are completing thousands of hours of placements and taking time off their casual jobs without receiving a cent to help them keep their heads above water.
"It's clear the government takes this issue seriously. Now we need concrete action to tackle placement poverty and end the severe inequality for allied health students."
HSA Spokesperson Sebastian Harper said:
"The Health Students Alliance remains deeply concerned by reports of students struggling to put food on the table, just so they can afford to finish their studies.
"Our partnership with the Health Services Union highlights to the Albanese Labor Government that students across the health disciplines are in urgent need of paid placements, to build the healthcare workforce of tomorrow."
University of Newcastle Pharmacy Student Leilani said:
"Often my physical and mental health has taken an impact, and I have found myself putting work over my own health and wellbeing.
"There seems to be no recognition for students who must live out of home, being sent across the state and even across the country on our own savings to then work for free."
