Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) has called on the Federal Government to end placement poverty for students, backing Allied Health Professions Australia’s campaign to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to include all allied health students.

The CPP, which commenced on 1 July 2025 for nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work students, currently excludes occupational therapy students despite their mandatory placement requirements of at least 1,000 hours of unpaid clinical work.

“Occupational therapy students face exactly the same financial pressures as nursing and teaching students, yet they’ve been left out by government”, said Michelle Oliver, Chief Occupational Therapist of Occupational Therapy Australia.

“Our students are required to complete extensive unpaid placements, often in rural and remote locations, while managing study commitments and living expenses. This creates significant hardship and forces many talented students to delay or abandon their studies.”

The exclusion of occupational therapy students from the CPP comes at a time when Australia faces critical shortages of occupational therapists and other allied health workers, particularly in rural and remote areas, mental health services, and the NDIS sector.

“Placement poverty is a real barrier to creating a diverse and sustainable occupational therapy workforce,” Ms Oliver said.

“Students especially from low-income backgrounds and regional areas are being locked out of the profession because they simply can’t afford to complete their training.”

OTA is calling on Federal Education Minister Jason Clare and the Albanese Government to listen to AHPA and immediately expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment to include occupational therapy students and all allied health disciplines.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to complete their education without facing financial pressures and disadvantage,” Ms Oliver said.

“The government has recognised this principle for nursing and teaching students – now it’s time to extend that same support to the allied health students who are essential to meet Australia’s future health workforce needs."

Occupational Therapy Australia spokespeople are available for further comment on request.

Occupational Therapy Australia

Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) is the professional association and peak representative body for occupational therapists in Australia. There are more than 30,000 registered occupational therapists working across the government, non-government, private and community sectors in Australia. Occupational therapists (OTs) are allied health professionals whose role is to enable their clients to engage in meaningful and productive activities.