Australia Introduces Prac Payment to Support Student Placements in Essential Fields
The new initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens for students in teaching, nursing, and social work by providing a weekly stipend during mandatory placements.
- The Commonwealth Prac Payment will provide A$319.50 per week to eligible students starting July 2025, aligned with the Austudy rate.
- Designed following recommendations from the Universities Accord, the payment targets students in high-need sectors facing unpaid work challenges.
- Payment will be means-tested, with specifics yet to be finalized, ensuring targeted support for those in need.
- The initiative also aligns with broader educational reforms, including adjustments to student loan indexations to ease debt burdens.
- Critics and supporters alike await further expansion of eligible disciplines to include more students in diverse fields.
The Conversation 
The Guardian 