Occupational therapy students to receive Commonwealth Prac Payment

Occupational therapy students will be eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment from 1 July 2027, following today's announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the scheme will be expanded to include 10 additional health professions.

This is a major win for occupational therapy students and the broader allied health sector.

Eligible students will receive up to $338.60 per week while undertaking mandatory clinical and professional placements, helping to ease the financial pressures associated with unpaid placements.

The announcement follows sustained advocacy from OTA and across the allied health sector since the scheme began in 2025. We have consistently highlighted that occupational therapy students complete extensive mandatory unpaid placements, often incurring significant travel, accommodation and living costs.

Earlier this year, OTA also backed Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), alongside Dr Helen Haines MP and Senator David Pocock, in calling for all allied health students to be included in the scheme. The campaign’s petition received more than 43,000 signatures ahead of its tabling in Parliament. Thank you to every OTA member who helped make this outcome possible.

This important reform will reduce financial barriers for future occupational therapists and help strengthen Australia's future health workforce. Read more here.

Support the NSW Thriving Kids Petition

Last week, OTA joined with the NSW Allied Health Providers Group to launch the NSW Thriving Kids Petition, calling for occupational therapists and the broader allied health workforce to be meaningfully included in the design and delivery of Thriving Kids. Without this expertise, children may lose access to timely therapy, continuity of care and local services. NSW OTA members, NDIS participants, families, carers and people with lived experience are encouraged to sign the petition by 3 October. Thank you to the almost 2,000 people who have already signed.

EOIs open for providers on NDIS changes

The NDIA is seeking expressions of interest from NDIS providers to help inform the implementation of recent changes to the Scheme.

Providers can register their interest to:

• test new or modified systems or tools, including the NDIS provider portal
• participate in surveys, group consultations or one-to-one interviews

The NDIA is looking for providers who understand their organisation's operations, are comfortable using the NDIS provider portal and are interested in contributing to future engagement activities.

Participation timeframes have not yet been confirmed. Providers who register now will join a waitlist for future opportunities.

Register your interest here.

Help shape the future of the ACT mental health workforce

Are you a community mental health OT working in the ACT? The Mental Health Community Coalition is seeking your input through its 2026 ACT Community-Managed Mental Health Workforce Survey. Your response will help build essential evidence on the size and nature of the workforce, informing mental health workforce planning and advocacy within both the ACT and federal governments. Take the survey here.