University researchers who helped develop the payment bill have shed light on the exclusion of medical students from the initiative.
The Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme, first introduced back in 2024, was initially criticised by medical bodies for its lack of inclusion of medical students.
Medical students are still yet to be added to the scheme, but members who were part of the scheme’s development have shed a light on why students were initially excluded.
“The higher education accord indicated that it would certainly at least begin with some particular degrees,” Dr Cathy Stone, consultant and researcher in higher education student wellbeing, equity and success at the University of Newcastle, told The Medical Republic.
“I think the reason [the designers of the scheme] chose those particular degrees is because in qualifications like nursing, midwifery, social work, and teaching, there is a high proportion of mature-age students who are working, who have family responsibilities.
“So, it was seen that [the scheme] would provide support to quite a large number of students who might otherwise find it very difficult to do teaching, nursing, social work, and midwifery.”
However, this lack of inclusion has left medical student bodies frustrated, given the increasing calls for workforce support in healthcare that could be remedied via more financially accessible medical education.
Regional and rural students have been hit hard by external financial burdens with the Prac Payment being touted as a way to alleviate those pressures.
“[The scheme] is an open acknowledgement that students [in general] are struggling with cost of living, however, we are disappointed that we weren’t included,” Australian Medical Students’ Association president Melody Ahfock told TMR.
“Medical placements are uniquely long and inflexible, we do upwards of 2000 hours of unpaid placement with volatile scheduling and relocation requirements.
“The data might show that medical students are doing okay, but there are many demographics, particularly those that are already under-represented within these degrees, who are struggling.”
The timeline for when medical students could be added to the program has also been criticised by AMSA, with the proposed legislative review only slated for some time in 2027 or 2028.
“Of course this is a start, and it’s a really important start, but obviously it’s not ideal, the financial support should be much greater,” Dr Stone told TMR.
“Student poverty is quite considerable across a wide range of degrees, so this is a start, it’s not a total solution.”
Expansions to other elements of student support have also been recommended to help bridge the gaps in medical education accessibility.
“Placement poverty assistance could look at things like guaranteed food, travel or rent assistance,” Ms Ahfock told TMR.
“Rental assistance payments could be particularly important to medical students who often have to relocate for their placement.
“Another thing that AMSA has been quite vocal about this year is an increase to the practice incentive payment, which would improve GP placement experiences for students.
“We definitely think that an inclusion in the Commonwealth PIP would be a fantastic first step.”
