More support for rural health placements

Students undertaking rural health placements are set to receive greater financial support, with the Federal Government expanding the Commonwealth Prac Payment to ten additional health professions from July next year.

The National Rural Health Alliance says the change could help more students accept placements in country and remote communities, where travel and accommodation costs are often a major barrier.

Eligible students studying fields including physiotherapy, pharmacy, paramedicine and speech pathology will be able to access up to $338.60 a week while completing mandatory placements.

Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen says rural placements provide valuable hands-on experience and can encourage graduates to build long-term careers in regional Australia.

More than 20,000 extra students are expected to benefit under the expanded scheme.

However, the Alliance says further support for travel and accommodation will still be needed to make rural placements affordable for many students.