Tens of thousands of Aussies to get $338-per-week payments as government expands paid prac
The Australian government is expanding its paid practical placement program to include 10 additional healthcare professions starting in July 2027. The initiative provides means-tested financial support to students who are currently unpaid during their mandatory clinical training.
Why it matters
This policy aims to alleviate financial stress for healthcare students, potentially increasing retention and graduation rates in critical medical fields.
shares Share article 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.
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