Palliative Care Australia Backs Call to End Placement Poverty for Health Students
10 Feb 2026
The move follows Parliamentary Budget Office costings, commissioned by independent MP Dr Helen Haines and Senator David Pocock, which estimate the expansion would cost $290 million over four years.
PCA National Policy Director Josh Fear said helping students avoid financial hardship during placements is vital for building a strong health workforce, including palliative care services.
“Palliative care relies on multidisciplinary teams, and we need enough trained medical and allied health professionals to meet demand,” he said.
“Unpaid placements can create real financial stress and even put students’ training at risk. Expanding the Prac Payment is a practical way to support equity and grow the workforce, especially in rural and regional areas.”
The Commonwealth Prac Payment, which started on 1 July 2025, currently covers nursing, midwifery, teaching, and social work students. Dr Haines and Senator Pocock are pushing for the payment to be extended in line with recommendations from the Universities Accord Final Report.
Recent survey data from the Health Students Alliance shows 42 per cent of students went hungry while on placement, highlighting the financial strain faced by many.
PCA is urging the Australian Government to expand the Prac Payment so placements no longer act as a barrier to completing training—and so patients and families can continue to access timely palliative care.
https://palliativecare.org.au/
Source: Palliative Care Australia
