Canberra’s expansion of its “prac payment” programme has been “warmly” welcomed, but postgraduate associations want the measure extended to “the students still left out”, while universities have renewed their pressure for an overhaul of tuition fees.
The measure, unveiled by prime minister Anthony Albanese as a curtain raiser to the Labor Party’s national conference in Adelaide, enhances one of the most practical reforms that emerged from the Australian Universities Accord. The programme current delivers A$338.60 (£177.42) a week to nursing, teaching, social work and midwifery students undertaking practical placements required as part of their courses.
From next July, eligibility will be extended to 10 allied health professions: audiology, clinical psychology, occupational therapy, paramedicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, radiography, rehabilitation therapies and speech pathology.
“They’re the front line of our health system, and this will help them to stay at uni and finish their degrees,” education minister Jason Clare told Channel Nine. “Often they’ve got to give up their part-time job to do…practical training, or they’ve got to move away from home, and that can make life really tough.”
