Federation University welcomes expanded Commonwealth Prac Payment

Federation University Australia has welcomed the Australian Government's announcement to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment to students in an additional 10 health disciplines from 1 July next year, helping ease financial pressures for students undertaking mandatory placements.

The change is expected to support thousands more students completing compulsory placements as part of their studies, lowering the financial burden of unpaid placement requirements and helping address workforce shortages in critical professions.

Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley said the announcement was a positive step towards improving access to higher education and supporting Australia's future workforce.

"We welcome the Australian Government's commitment to better supporting students undertaking mandatory placements," Professor Bentley said.

"At Federation, industry experience is embedded throughout the student journey, with our Co-operative education model playing a vital role in connecting learning with real-world practice," Professor Bentley said.

"Placements are an essential part of professional education, but they can place significant financial pressure on students, particularly in regional areas where travel, accommodation and reduced working hours can add substantial costs.

"For a university committed to access and success, measures that help students stay engaged and succeed are particularly important. This announcement recognises the real challenges many students face and will help more people complete their studies and transition into the workforce."

Students enrolled in a range of placement-intensive programs at Federation University are expected to benefit from the expanded support, including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Clinical Psychology and Paramedicine.

Professor Bentley said reducing financial barriers to placements would strengthen the pipeline of graduates entering professions experiencing workforce shortages across regional Victoria and Australia.

"Regional communities need more nurses, teachers, social workers, psychologists and allied health professionals. Supporting students while they undertake mandatory placements is an investment in their success and in the future workforce our communities rely on," he said.

"Many Federation students are the first in their family to attend university, balance study with paid employment, or have caring responsibilities. Additional support during placements can make the difference between completing a qualification and struggling to continue."

Professor Bentley said Federation University had long advocated for policies that improve equity and access to higher education, particularly for students from regional, rural and low socio-economic backgrounds.

"We look forward to working with government and the health sector to ensure these reforms are implemented effectively and deliver the greatest possible benefit for students and the communities they will go on to serve," Professor Bentley said.