The AHPA Insider: February 2026

The AHPA Insider
Thursday 12 February 2026

National petition for Prac Payment reform gains momentum

Earlier this week, AHPA launched a national petition with Independent Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines MP and ACT Senator David Pocock, calling for the Commonwealth Prac Payment to be expanded to include all allied health students. The response has been immediate, with more than 13,000 signatures already gathered in the first few days.

The petition highlights the growing financial strain on allied health students, who are required to complete extensive mandatory unpaid placements while managing rent, travel and living costs. With workforce shortages worsening across many allied health professions, expanding the Prac Payment is a practical step to reduce “placement poverty” and support students to complete their training.

Dr Haines and Senator Pocock launched the petition with AHPA, alongside support from other independent MPs and Senators who share the sector’s concerns about student hardship and workforce sustainability.

Read the full story to see why the sector is escalating its push for urgent reform and how expanded Prac Payments could help secure Australia’s future allied health workforce.

SIGN THE PETITION

AHPA in Canberra for Sitting Week

AHPA has been back in Canberra this week, meeting with Members of Parliament, Senators and their senior advisers to continue discussions on key issues affecting the allied health sector. Ensuring allied health has a strong and central voice in national policy and reform remains central to our advocacy.

A key focus of our meetings was the expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment, alongside productive discussions on NDIS, Thriving Kids, ongoing workforce shortages, and priorities outlined in our pre‑budget submission.

No child left behind: Thriving Kids Advisory Group releases final report

AHPA acknowledges the release of the Thriving Kids model of care and the endorsement of the program by National Cabinet, recognising the importance of earlier, family-centred support for children with developmental delay and autism.

We acknowledge the work of the Thriving Kids Advisory Group and its emphasis on early identification, accessible supports, and a strengths-based approach that focuses on children’s needs rather than diagnostic labels.

Allied health professionals have consistently advocated for models that reduce delays, remove unnecessary barriers for families, and provide support in the settings where children live, learn and play.

AHPA particularly notes the central role identified for qualified allied health professionals in delivering targeted supports for children and families who need them.

As governments progress bilateral agreements and operational planning, AHPA has highlighted several critical considerations to ensure the model is implemented effectively.

A year of major change: Allied health in the new aged care system

2025 was a pivotal year for allied health in aged care, with the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home reforms reshaping how services are defined, funded and delivered. As implementation challenges continue to emerge, AHPA has been working closely with members and government to highlight gaps, push for improvements and ensure older Australians can access the allied health care they need. You can read our full analysis of the reforms and their impact on the sector on our website.

Digital health is no longer emerging.
It’s becoming the baseline for how care is delivered, coordinated and reimbursed.

Join AHPA for the first national webinar in our 2026 Digital Health Series, featuring Commonwealth Chief Allied Health Officer Anita Hobson-Powell, who will set the national context and explain why now is a pivotal moment for allied health professionals to connect with and adopt digital health products.

The webinar will explore what’s changing across the health system, how digital health can reduce admin and improve care, and where to find practical support to get started.

Wednesday 4 March 2026, 5-6pm (AEDT).

Follow AHPA’s socials for registration information or sign up to the AHPA Digital Digest – a short, quick-fire bulletin sent only when there’s new and useful digital health information for allied health.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE AHPA DIGITAL DIGEST

AHPA submission on the NDIS Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025

AHPA has provided feedback to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee on the NDIS Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025. As the allied health sector plays a critical role in supporting people with disability and delivering a wide range of NDIS services, it is essential that any legislative changes strengthen – rather than hinder – access to quality supports.

Our submission emphasised that while strong integrity and safeguarding measures are important, they must remain proportionate. Excessive regulatory burden risks reducing service availability, particularly in areas with existing challenges, and may further strain an already stretched allied health workforce.

READ OUR SUBMISSION

AHPA submission to the 2025–26 NDIS Annual Pricing Review

AHPA has made its submission to the 2025–26 NDIS Annual Pricing Review, reinforcing the essential role allied health professionals play in delivering high quality supports to people with disability and the need to fund these therapy supports appropriately. Our feedback highlights the need for a pricing framework that ensures participants can continue to access the services they rely on.

AHPA continues to advocate for pricing that sustains workforce viability and upholds participant choice and control. We look forward to ongoing engagement with the NDIA to ensure the pricing supports a fair, accessible, and sustainable NDIS.