Australian Government Expands Paid Prac to 10 More Frontline Health Professions
CANBERRA, Australia — The Albanese Labor Government has announced a major expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment, extending financial support to students training in ten additional frontline health professions to ease cost-of-living pressures and strengthen Australia’s future healthcare workforce.
The expanded program will provide eligible students with $338.60 per week during mandatory clinical and professional placements, helping cover living costs while they complete unpaid practical training. The payment is means-tested, benchmarked to the single Austudy rate, and indexed annually.
The new professions eligible for the payment are:
- Clinical psychology
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech pathology
- Paramedicine
- Radiography
- Pharmacy
- Rehabilitation therapies
- Audiology
- Podiatry
The Commonwealth Prac Payment already supports eligible students studying teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work.
The government said unpaid placements often require students to reduce or give up paid employment, with some needing to relocate for extended periods, particularly to regional and remote communities where healthcare worker shortages remain significant.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the expansion would help students manage living expenses while completing essential training and support Australia’s long-term healthcare needs.
“Paid prac is already making a real difference—it’s helping students with cost of living while they train, and that’s why we’re expanding it,” Albanese said.
Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler said the initiative would strengthen Medicare by helping train more Australian healthcare professionals.
“This expansion means that if you’re training to be a pharmacist, physio or psychologist, you’ll also now have a bit of extra help to get through,” Butler said.
Education Minister Jason Clare said the payment helps students cover everyday expenses such as rent, fuel and parking while completing practical placements.
The government said the expanded support is part of its broader cost-of-living agenda, alongside its 20 per cent student debt reduction, tax cuts, cheaper childcare and investments in free TAFE and wage growth.
Source: Australian Government – Prime Minister/Media
