Tertiary Education and Training

Roberts commended the government for investing $158.4 million to expand practicum payments to ten additional health professions, including physiotherapy and paramedicine. Roberts described the reality of placement poverty, where students in Pearce faced costs for rent, petrol, and accommodation that sometimes forced them to sleep in their cars. Roberts argued that the expansion would help around 95,000 students annually and strengthen the health workforce in regional areas. Roberts linked the policy to broader cost-of-living relief measures, including student debt reduction and free TAFE.

Boyce supported the intent of the practicum payment but argued that the expansion did not include general practitioners, optometrists, or veterinary students needed in regional areas. Boyce cited the example of a nursing student in Flynn who faced high travel and accommodation costs during placements. Boyce questioned why the government had not gone further to support the pipeline of medical doctors, noting that many regional GPs are aging. Boyce called for policies that specifically address the additional costs faced by regional students to ensure they can complete their training and return home.

Cook drew on her background as a nurse and lecturer to describe the stress and financial pressure caused by mandatory placements. Cook stated that the introduction of paid practicum payments in 2024 had alleviated pressure on students in nursing, midwifery, teaching, and social work. Cook welcomed the expansion to ten additional allied health professions from 1 July 2027, arguing it would help build a stronger Medicare and workforce. Cook emphasised the need to support future healthcare workers to manage the demands of an aging population.