The decision addresses a long-standing inequity where pharmacy and allied health students have been required to complete hundreds of hours of mandatory unpaid placements while juggling study, work and rising living costs
"By making this commitment a centrepiece of his address to the Australian Labor Party National Conference, Prime Minister Albanese has demonstrated a clear understanding that investing in students today is essential to securing Australia’s next generation of healthcare professionals," PGA National President Professor Trent Twomey said.
This announcement is a significant win for pharmacy students and reflects the importance of ensuring financial hardship is never a barrier to completing essential clinical placements.
Mia Avram, NAPSA President
"For too long, pharmacy students have been expected to complete mandatory placements while carrying significant financial pressures.
“This reform acknowledges that challenge and helps ensure talented students can focus on becoming the healthcare professionals Australia needs."
Prof Twomey said many students had been forced to take unpaid leave from work, cover accommodation away from home and absorb significant travel costs simply to meet the requirements of their degree.
Increasing challenges
The PGA has consistently called for pharmacy students to be included in paid placement arrangements, noting placement poverty has become an increasing challenge for students, particularly those from regional, rural and lower-income backgrounds.
Our campaign to end placement poverty for pharmacy and allied health students arguably defined my time at NAPSA, and throughout that time I’m proud of the support provided by the Guild and our profession to get this over the line.
Sebastian Harper, NAPSA Immediate Past President
The 2026 National Placement Poverty Survey* found 82 percent of surveyed students required financial aid during placement; 78 percent struggled to pay bills; 81 percent took unpaid leave while and 42 percent reported to going hungry.
Prof Twomey said the announcement would strengthen the future pharmacy workforce and improve access to healthcare for communities across Australia.
"Australia is asking more of pharmacists than ever before,” he said.
“Whether it's delivering vaccinations, managing chronic conditions or providing new prescribing services, we need a strong pipeline of highly trained graduates ready to serve their communities.
NAPSA has long advocated for greater support for students on placement, and we’re proud to see pharmacy students included in this important reform.
Mia Avram, NAPSA President
"Supporting students through their mandatory placements is an investment in the future of primary healthcare.
"This announcement means talented students will be better able to focus on learning and developing their clinical skills, rather than worrying about how they will pay rent or afford groceries."
Advocacy efforts
National Australian Pharmacy Students Alliance (NAPSA) President Mia Avram spoke to Australasian Pharmacy from the Australian Labor Party's 50th national conference in Adelaide as the announcement about paid placements was made.
“This announcement is a significant win for pharmacy students and reflects the importance of ensuring financial hardship is never a barrier to completing essential clinical placements," she said.
"NAPSA has long advocated for greater support for students on placement, and we’re proud to see pharmacy students included in this important reform.”
NAPSA's Immediate Past President Sebastian Harper also commented from Adelaide.
“Our campaign to end placement poverty for pharmacy and allied health students arguably defined my time at NAPSA, and throughout that time I’m proud of the support provided by the Guild and our profession to get this over the line," he said.
The PGA acknowledged the advocacy efforts of pharmacy students and the broader allied health sector, including the Health Students Alliance and NAPSA which worked tirelessly to highlight the impacts of placement poverty on students undertaking pharmacy and allied health degrees.
For too long, pharmacy students have been expected to complete mandatory placements while carrying significant financial pressures.
Prof Twomey
"The students who led this campaign should be proud," Prof Twomey said.
"They have shared their experiences with honesty and courage, and today's announcement reflects the strength of that advocacy.
"By supporting pharmacy and allied health students today, we are helping ensure all Australians can continue to access the healthcare professionals they will rely on tomorrow."
*The National Placement Poverty Survey was launched by the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA), on behalf of the Health Students Alliance in November 2025. Collection of the data occurred over one month and a total of 1374 responses.
