
The Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences commissioned a national research study in 2025 to address issues with student prac placements.
The Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences (ACDHS) is calling on Minister Jason Clare MP and Minister Mark Butler MP to support the thousands of allied health students facing placement poverty in completing their education. This report, developed after the Universities Accord report noted the adverse impact of placement poverty on student completion of mandatory prac placements, directly connects to how workforce gaps in health are addressed.
In several cases, over 1,000 hours of prac placement are required, and the displacement impact and financial costs can deter students from completing allied health degrees.
The report emphasises that solving this issue is consistent with the commitment the Commonwealth made in introducing the Commonwealth Prac Payments (CPP) program. ACDHS calls for the inclusion of all allied health students in the CPP so that they can graduate and contribute to the future growth and sustainability of Australia’s allied health workforce.
Over the coming months, ACDHS will:
- Share key findings with policymakers and education leaders
- Engage media to highlight the urgency of CPP support
- Collaborate with health and education partners nationally
Read the Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences (ACDHS) Report: A call for the inclusion of allied health professions in the Commonwealth Prac Payment program by clicking the link below.