“That ICPA (Aust) advocates the Minister for Education and Minister for Skills and Training to expand the cost-of-living Commonwealth Prac Payment to include students who are undertaking a vocational education and training or university qualification in the allied health field, in order to help address the shortage of these professionals in rural and remote areas.”
In May 2024, the Albanese Government announced it would establish a Commonwealth Prac Payment to support students undertaking mandatory workplace placements required for university and vocational education and training qualifications.
Australians studying to be a teacher, a nurse, a midwife or a social worker will be eligible for this payment.
We acknowledge the skills shortage in these fields; however, our geographically isolated students are also affected by the shortage of services provided by allied health professionals. Without the services provided by these professionals, students' educational outcomes are compromised.
As quoted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “Teachers give our children the best start in life, they deserve a fair start to their career”, our geographically isolated students equally deserve the best in health support services to ensure they have the opportunity to achieve optimal educational outcomes.
