Landmark win for allied health students as Government expands paid Prac Payments to ten new professions
Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) has welcomed today's announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the Commonwealth Prac Payment program will be extended to ten allied health professions from 1 July 2027, a direct result of a national campaign backed by more than 43,000 Australians.
From next year, eligible students studying clinical psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, podiatry, audiology, radiography, rehabilitation therapies, paramedicine and pharmacy, will receive up to $338.60 a week while completing mandatory clinical placements.
The announcement, made at the Labor National Conference in Adelaide, builds on the existing Prac Payment for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students, introduced in the 2024–25 Federal Budget.
The result reflects months of coordinated advocacy by AHPA and its member organisations, together with Independent Senator David Pocock and Independent MP Dr Helen Haines who campaigned to keep placement poverty on the national agenda.
AHPA Chief Executive Officer Bronwyn Morris-Donovan said the expansion was a hard-won and welcome step forward for the allied health workforce.
“This is a genuine win for allied health students, for our 300,000-strong workforce, and for the 43,000 Australians who signed our petition demanding an end to placement poverty. Today's announcement shows that when Australia's second largest health workforce speaks with one voice, government listens.”
“We thank Dr Haines and Senator Pocock for their sustained advocacy and our member organisations for campaigning alongside us every step of the way, and every student who shared their story about choosing between rent and finishing their degree. This Prac Payment expansion will increase equity and create a more diverse future allied health workforce.”
Next step: extending Paid Prac Payment to all allied health professions
AHPA is calling on Government to keep the momentum going, extending the same support to the remaining allied health professions – including dietetics, exercise physiology, optometry and sonography, the latter having sat on the National Skills Priority List for 13 years.
Ms Morris-Donovan said today's win laid the groundwork for finishing the job across the whole sector.
“This result proves that real change happens when Government works with the workforce delivering care on the ground. We won’t stop here. Every allied health student, in every profession deserves the same chance to complete their training without being pushed into poverty. We’re ready to keep working with Government to finish what we’ve started, so no student is left between their studies and paying the rent.”
AHPA looks forward to using the statutory review of the paid prac system – secured by Dr Haines and due within three years – as the next milestone in extending full coverage across allied health.
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Media inquiries: AHPA CEO Bronwyn Morris-Donovan is available for comment.
Email: communications@ahpa.com.au