University of Newcastle welcomes extension of prac payments
The University of Newcastle welcomes the Australian Government’s decision to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment to students undertaking placements in an additional 10 frontline health professions.
The 10 courses include clinical psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, paramedicine, radiography, pharmacy, rehabilitation therapies, audiology, and podiatry. Today’s decision will have a positive impact on more than 2380 students in aligned programs at the University of Newcastle.
This announcement recognises the significant financial pressures many students face while completing mandatory clinical training and will provide relief for the cost of living pressures our students are feeling.
For the University of Newcastle and the regions it serves, the announcement is also a positive step toward strengthening the future health workforce and improving access to healthcare in regional, rural and remote communities.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky welcomed the Federal Government’s decision.
“The expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment will make a meaningful difference to students undertaking extended clinical placements as part of their studies. Many of our health students complete hundreds of hours of placement and, in some cases, need to relocate for the duration of these vital practical experiences.
Today’s decision clearly reflects that the Federal Government has listened to our students and our communities. The extension of Commonwealth Prac Payments will help ease financial pressures and improve equity of access for those wanting to move into health professions,” said Professor Zelinsky.
“I congratulate the Federal Government and particularly thank Minister Clare for his direct engagement with students from the Hunter and Central Coast regions and for listening and acting strongly.
“We are very proud to educate thousands of health professionals each year who go on to serve the Hunter, Central Coast and regional communities in NSW and beyond. Placements are a critical part of preparing students for their future professions and critical to ensuring we can continue to build the skilled workforce needed to meet growing healthcare demand.
“We thank the Australian Government for recognising the challenges faced by those students and for taking practical action to strengthen the pipeline of future health professionals.”
University of Newcastle Head of School of Health Sciences, Professor Bronwyn Hemsley said this decision will be enormously valuable for both students and their future patients or clients.
“Clinical placements ensure our students meet the competencies and skills they require for safe and effective practice and we need them immersed in the workplace for weeks in a row. This funding will help more students to cover their living expenses while on placement, to complete their degrees. I'm thrilled for what this means for Australian allied health students and the communities they will be serving in the near future,” said Professor Hemsley.
“This will be enormously valuable for students. We’ve heard that some regional students are going without food or medicines due to the financial impacts of long placements, so this funding is going to make a big difference to them.”
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Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.