The Australian Psychological Society (APS), the largest peak body for psychologists, welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to extend the Commonwealth Prac Payment to psychology students completing placements from 1 July 2027.
APS CEO Dr Zena Burgess said the announcement was an important step forward to address the financial hardship experienced by thousands of psychology students completing unpaid placements.
“This is a positive outcome for all psychology students, and we welcome the Government’s recognition of the financial pressures associated with mandatory placements,” Dr Burgess said.
“Supporting psychology students during placement is essential to building a sustainable mental health workforce and improving access to psychology services across Australia,” Dr Burgess said.
Psychology students are required to complete thousands of hours of supervised placement as part of their training. The resulting financial hardship creates a significant barrier to entering and completing psychology qualifications.
Since 2024, the APS has consistently advocated for the Commonwealth Prac Payment to be extended to all psychology students and, more broadly, to all allied health students undertaking mandatory placements.
Earlier this year, the APS joined Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), Independent Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines MP and Senator David Pocock in launching a national petition calling on the Australian Government to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment to all allied health students.
From 1 July 2027, the Commonwealth Prac Payment of approximately $338 per week will be extended to students in 10 additional health disciplines, including psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, podiatry, speech pathology, audiology, radiography, paramedics and rehabilitation therapies. The program currently supports eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students.
While the original announcement named only clinical psychologists, subsequent announcements and conversations between the APS and Government confirm this includes “professional pathway courses that lead to professional registration as a psychologist”.
The APS has also confirmed this includes postgraduate courses on the 5+1 pathway as well as those leading to all Areas of Practice Endorsement.
