Landmark win: Podiatry students to receive paid Prac Payments from July 2027

Landmark win: Podiatry students to receive paid Prac Payments from July 2027

7 Aug 2026

Landmark win: Podiatry students to receive paid Prac Payments from July 2027

After months of coordinated advocacy alongside Australian Health Professions Australia (AHPA), the Australian Government has confirmed podiatry students will be included in the Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme. This is a significant win for students, for the profession, and for the future podiatry workforce. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that from 1 July 2027, the Commonwealth Prac Payment will expand to cover ten allied health professions, including podiatry. Providing real financial support at the point in their studies when it's needed most, eligible podiatry students will receive up to $338.60 a week while completing mandatory clinical placements. 

Why this matters for podiatry 

Podiatry students are required to complete extensive unpaid clinical placement hours to qualify for registration. For many, that means giving up paid work for weeks or months at a time, while still covering rent, transport and everyday costs.

It's a financial burden that has pushed students to defer, drop back to part-time study, or leave their course altogether which has resulted in a concern widely known as 'placement poverty'. 

At a time when podiatry, like much of the allied health sector, is grappling with workforce shortages and rising demand driven by an ageing population and increasing rates of chronic disease, losing students to financial hardship isn't just a student issue, it's a pipeline issue. Every podiatry student who can't afford to finish their degree is one fewer podiatrist for a system that urgently needs them. 

Expanding Prac Payments to podiatry directly helps address that barrier, and should result in stronger completion rates, less financial stress for students, and a healthier, more sustainable graduate pipeline for the profession. 

The advocacy behind the win 

This result reflects a sustained, sector-wide campaign led by AHPA, backed by more than 43,000 Australians who signed a national petition, and championed in Parliament by Independent Senator David Pocock and Independent MP Dr Helen Haines. 

The APodA was proud to stand alongside AHPA throughout this campaign. Earlier this year, members of the APodA's advocacy team travelled to Canberra with APodA members Beth Kerr and Blake Withers, and podiatry student Elise Stevenso to support the push in person and put a podiatry voice behind the petition. Read more about that trip and the campaign. 

AHPA Chief Executive Officer Bronwyn Morris-Donovan said the expansion was a hard-won and welcome step forward for the allied health workforce. 

“This is a genuine win for allied health students, for our 300,000-strong workforce, and for the 43,000 Australians who signed our petition demanding an end to placement poverty. Today's announcement shows that when Australia's second largest health workforce speaks with one voice, government listens.” 

“We thank Dr Haines and Senator Pocock for their sustained advocacy and our member organisations for campaigning alongside us every step of the way, and every student who shared their story about choosing between rent and finishing their degree. This Prac Payment expansion will increase equity and create a more diverse future allied health workforce.” 

We couldn't agree more, and thank every podiatry student, APodA member and supporters who signed and/or shared the petition and spoke up along the way. This win belongs to all of us. 

Be part of what comes next 

Wins like this happen because podiatrists, students and the profession show up together. It's a reminder of what your membership makes possible; a stronger, united voice advocating on the issues that matter to your career and your patients, backed by a professional association actively working in Canberra on your behalf. 

If you're not yet a member, now is a great time to join a profession-wide movement that's delivering real results. 

Become an APodA member and receive: 

  • Opportunities to engage with our national advocacy team representing podiatry's interests in Canberra and beyond. 
  • Professional indemnity insurance and practice support. 
  • Access to member-only clinical resources, CPD discounts and free webinars. 
  • Connection to a community of podiatrists working together to shape the profession's future. 

Join the APodA here >>

Help inspire the next generation of podiatrists 

We are putting a call out to all podiatrists to get involved by speaking at high schools, attending university open days and other events to help educate people on the wide scope of practice podiatrists have and their ability to make a real impact. 

Available to APodA members, the Careers Toolkit helps you promote the highly rewarding and diverse career podiatry has to offer. Learn more and get involved >> 

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