Commonwealth Prac Payment a boost for speech pathology workforce: Speech Pathology Australia

Media statement

Key messages 

• Speech Pathology Australia says today's Commonwealth Prac Payment announcement is a direct investment in easing Australia's speech pathology workforce shortage. 

• The decision addresses "placement poverty" – the income loss, housing and food insecurity, and financial stress that has forced many talented students out of the profession before they graduate. 

• Speech Pathology Australia says the investment is critical to growing a workforce that communities across the country are relying on, with services already stretched by high demand and workforce shortages. 

Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) has welcomed reports that speech pathology students will be included in the expanded Commonwealth Prac Payment, following sustained advocacy by SPA and its members.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is addressing the Labor National Conference, with speech pathology to be named among ten new categories of health professional students who will become eligible for the payment from 1 July 2027. Eligible students will be able to access up to $338.60 a week, means-tested and indexed, while completing mandatory clinical placements.

Speech pathology students complete substantial periods of mandatory, unpaid placement as part of their degree, often while juggling paid work to cover living costs. SPA has argued this financial pressure pushes capable students out of their studies before graduation, shrinking the pipeline of new clinicians at the exact point the workforce needs to be growing.

The announcement comes as SPA members report that current workforce numbers cannot meet community demand, with many Australians unable to access timely speech pathology support.

This outcome has been shaped by sustained advocacy from SPA, Allied Health Professions Australia, allied health professionals and students and supportive parliamentarians, including Helen Haines MP and Senator David Pocock, who have consistently highlighted the impact of unpaid placements on students. 

Quotes attributable to Lyn Brodie – CEO, Speech Pathology Australia:

"This is a genuine win for speech pathology students, and for the families and communities who are relying on a stronger workforce in the years ahead. For too long, students have had to choose between paying rent and completing the placements they need to graduate. That's not a fair choice to ask anyone to make.

"Many of our members tell us that speech pathology services are under pressure, particularly in regional areas, where people can face long waits to access support."

“This announcement goes straight to the heart of that problem, because it helps make sure the students training right now can actually finish their degree and go on to help fill that gap.

"We thank the Albanese Government for listening to the evidence our members and students brought to this campaign, and for recognising speech pathology as an essential part of the health workforce. This is what happens when government invests in the people who will deliver care into the future." 

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About Speech Pathology Australia

Speech Pathology Australia is Australia’s peak body for speech pathologists, representing over 16,000 members. Our purpose is to empower speech pathologists and strengthen access to speech pathology for people with communication and swallowing needs.  

Speech pathologists are university qualified allied health professionals who support people across the lifespan with communication and swallowing needs, including speaking, understanding language, reading, writing, and safe eating, drinking and swallowing. They work across hospitals, early childhood education and care, schools, disability and aged care services, and in the community.

Expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment