Commonwealth Prac Payment

Gee supported expanding the scheme to allied health and medical students, noting they require over 1,000 hours of practical experience. Gee argued that regional placements increase the likelihood of graduates working in country areas, citing a University of Queensland study. Gee also mentioned the recent allocation of 10 additional medical student places to Charles Sturt University but called for further expansion to address workforce needs.

Garland defended the government's approach, stating that the initial cohort selection was informed by the Australian Universities Accord. Garland highlighted that the payment of $331 per week helps students focus on their studies without financial stress. Garland reiterated that the three-year review would assess the program's effectiveness and consider expansion to other fields, describing the policy as a blueprint for the next decade.

Sharkie welcomed the scheme but argued it needed immediate refinement to include all relevant students, including those in medicine and allied health. Sharkie shared her daughter's experience of financial strain while balancing nursing placements with other work. Sharkie suggested that waiting for the statutory review was too slow and urged the government to act quickly to remove barriers for young people from diverse backgrounds.

Coffey shared personal anecdotes about the financial difficulty of completing unpaid teaching practicums in the past. Coffey expressed pride in the government's decision to provide direct financial support to students in key professions. Coffey noted that the legislation allows for a review after three years to determine if payments should extend to allied health, ensuring the policy evolves based on evidence.

Le argued that excluding allied health and medical students creates a two-tiered system that undermines workforce planning. Le cited projections indicating a need for 25,000 additional allied health workers by 2033. Le shared the story of a local student worried about affording clinical placements and called for an immediate extension of the payment to all health disciplines with mandatory clinical components.

Ambihaipahar acknowledged the challenges faced by students but defended the government's prioritisation of nursing, care, and teaching professions based on the 2023 Employment White Paper and the Universities Accord. Ambihaipahar highlighted that this was the first time a federal government had provided such support. Ambihaipahar also pointed to the 20 per cent cut in student debt as part of a broader strategy to support students.

Ryan argued that the current scheme fails to address the significant costs faced by medical and allied health students, who often undertake thousands of hours of unpaid placements. Ryan cited data showing that placement poverty affects 75 per cent of medical imaging students. Ryan contended that the government's inaction exacerbates gender and intergenerational inequities and called for a roadmap to include all courses with mandatory prac components.

Gregg praised the introduction of paid practicums as a decisive action against placement poverty. Gregg noted that the initial scope reflected the Australian Universities Accord's recommendations for specific course areas. Gregg emphasised that the three-year review mechanism ensures the government can revisit the scope and expand support to allied health if necessary, framing the policy as part of a broader education reform agenda.

Scamps highlighted testimonials from allied health students experiencing homelessness, skipping meals, and mental health strain due to unpaid placements. Scamps argued that excluding these students jeopardises the future health workforce, particularly in primary care. Scamps urged the government to develop a roadmap to include all courses with mandatory prac components, including veterinary sciences, engineering, and agriculture.