AMSA celebrates the launch of the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) scheme,
a means-tested payment that will help support students through full-time
placement. Despite this, AMSA is deeply disappointed that medical students, and
many other students undergoing mandatory placement, have been excluded.
Medical students are particularly impacted by placement poverty, with the highest
number of mandatory placement hours, placements located across or beyond their
state, intense study commitments and some of the shortest break periods- it is
impossible for students to complete the degree without external financial support.

Alarmingly, cost of living pressures alongside the rigorosity of the medical degree
has increased rates of student burnout and contributed to high levels of anxiety.
The 2019 Australian National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical
Students reported that almost 20% of medical students had experienced some
suicidal ideation in the last 12 months, a figure that has only grown post pandemic.

AMSA President, Melody Ahfock says:
“The launch of the Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme is an open
acknowledgment that students are struggling. It does not make sense that medical
students are not a part of the CPP despite over 2000 hours of mandatory
placement.
For many students, their dream of medical school becomes a nightmare when
faced with the financial reality of supporting themselves.
Cost of living pressure disproportionately impact students from rural, regional,
remote and low income areas or who are otherwise from marginalised groups-
these are the doctors we need more of, and these are the doctors that are being
priced out or delaying their education.
The stereotype that doctors come from rich families is a self-fulfilling prophecy,
having external funding is the only way. And those who don’t have access to this
are forced into choosing between putting food on the table and fulfilling their
academic obligations.
Medical students are working and contribute richly to the hospital system. This was
made abundantly clear when medical students were asked to step up during the
NSW doctor strike to fulfil the roles of junior doctors.
”Including Australian medical students in the CPP can only benefit the Australian
public. Between helping to solve the rural health workforce shortages from its
beginnings, to granting students the time and environment to commit to focused
academic study- this is an investment into Australia’s healthcare system.
In collaboration with Senator Mehreen Faruqi and Students Against Placement
Poverty, AMSA additionally calls for the expansion of the CPP to be universally
accessible for all students undergoing mandatory placement.

AMSA calls on the Federal Government to:
1. Redirect funds to fund a broader CPP scheme that includes all students
undergoing mandatory placement as part of their education.
2. Revise the Commonwealth Prac Payment ahead of the scheduled 2027
review to include additional training pathways including medical students.