Thu 23 July 2026
AdPha welcomes expansion of Commonwealth Prac Payment to pharmacy students
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) today has welcomed today's announcement by the Albanese Government that pharmacy students will become eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment from 1 July 2027, recognising the financial pressures associated with mandatory clinical placements and strengthening support for Australia's future pharmacy workforce.
The Commonwealth Prac Payment, currently available to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students undertaking mandatory placements, will be expanded to include pharmacy and several other allied health professions.
AdPha has consistently advocated for pharmacy students to be included in the Commonwealth Prac Payment, noting that they complete extensive mandatory unpaid placements as a core requirement of their degree while facing many of the same financial pressures as students in other health professions.
AdPha President Assoc. Prof. Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) said the announcement was an important investment in the future of the pharmacy profession and the patients it serves.
‘This is a significant and welcome step for pharmacy students, who complete extensive mandatory placements that are essential to their education but have, until now, been undertaken without the same financial support available to students in comparable health professions.
‘Mandatory placements are a vital part of becoming a pharmacist, but they can also place considerable financial pressure on students and their families, particularly when placements require travel, relocation or time away from paid work. Extending the Commonwealth Prac Payment recognises those realities and helps remove barriers for the next generation of pharmacists.
Assoc. Prof. Simpson said the announcement would help strengthen Australia's health workforce at a time of growing demand for pharmacists across hospitals, community pharmacies and other healthcare settings.
‘Supporting students through their training is an investment in the future accessibility, safety and quality of medicines care. Every step that helps more pharmacy students complete their education and enter the workforce is a step towards a stronger health system.
‘We thank the Albanese Government for listening to the concerns of the profession and recognising the important contribution pharmacy students will make to Australia's healthcare system.’