ADVANCED Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia have called on the Federal Government to immediately extend the eligibility criteria for the new Commonwealth Prac Payments (CPP) to include pharmacy students.

The payment, which commences this week, provides $331.65 per week to support students undertaking unpaid mandatory placements, but only those studying to become teachers, nurses, midwives or social workers are eligible.

While applauding the move to help others, pharmacy peak bodies argued that pharmacy students, who are also required to complete extensive unpaid placements, deserve equal recognition and support.

“Pharmacy students undertake full-time mandatory placements that are often far from home and entirely unpaid, placing enormous financial pressure on them and their families,” said AdPha President Tom Simpson.

“There is no justifiable reason to exclude pharmacy students.

“Like their nursing and teaching peers, they are fulfilling essential workforce training requirements and should be supported accordingly,” Simpson urged.

He warned that failing to include pharmacy students in the program could further undermine efforts to address critical workforce shortages.

“We commend the investment in other health and care professions, but it’s not too late to do the right thing and include pharmacy students,” Simpson said.

“This is a chance to show genuine commitment to Australia’s future pharmacy workforce.”

The Guild has long advocated for financial relief for pharmacy students, pointing out they often sacrifice paid employment to meet placement requirements.

With the profession facing workforce shortages and increasing demands, supporting students is essential to ensuring a sustainable future, said the Guild.

“Pharmacy students deserve the same support as their peers in nursing and social work,” said Guild National President Professor Trent Twomey.

“Excluding them from this payment is not just unfair – it’s a missed opportunity to support the future of primary healthcare.”

Medical students have also called for inclusion in the scheme, arguing that with the highest number of mandatory placement hours, they are particularly affected.

“The launch of the CPP scheme is an open acknowledgment that students are struggling,” said Australian Medical Students Association President Melody Ahfock.

“It does not make sense that medical students are not a part of the CPP, despite over 2,000 hours of mandatory placement.” KB

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