27/07/2026
Allied health professions like occupational therapy, physiotherapy and exercise physiology just had a big win, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing that the $338.60 per week prac payments for allied health professionals undertaking clinical and professional placements will be expanded to include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, exercise physiology and eight other allied health professions.
This ensures more equitable access to anyone interested in studying occupational therapy, physiotherapy and exercise physiology, and gives students much-needed financial relief as they complete their mandatory, unpaid clinical placements.
Credit for this achievement should go to the Allied Health Professions Australia, who represents both Occupational Therapy Australia and the Australian Physiotherapy Association, who altogether raised a petition which garnered more than 51,000 signatures.
Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) has welcomed today's announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the Commonwealth Prac Payment program will be extended to ten allied health professions from 1 July 2027, a direct result of a national campaign backed by more than 43,000 Australians