Health Students Alliance

With an aging population, we urgently need more pharmacists, physiotherapists, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists and others in allied health.

But students in these important fields face a huge barrier. To graduate, they are each required to complete up to 1000 hours of unpaid work in a professional setting.

At the height of a cost-of-living crisis, these mandatory unpaid placements are forcing many young Australians into a situation known as “placement poverty”. Robbed of the ability to work casual or part-time jobs to support themselves, some students cannot afford food or other groceries. Many face rental stress or even homelessness.

It's no wonder some of our best and brightest are abandoning their studies and a future in Australia's healthcare system.

The Albanese Government took a positive step in the in the 2024 Budget, funding placement allowances to nursing, midwifery, teaching, and social work students. But it left out those studying for every other health professions - pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and more - all essential fields in urgent need of graduates.

The Health Students Alliance says that's not fair.

Join our campaign to advocate for equal financial support for all healthcare students, ensuring that pharmacy and allied health students can complete their training without the added stress of financial hardship. Let's pressure the Australian Government to close this gap, support these future healthcare professionals, and build a healthier Australia.

Look after us today - so we can look after you tomorrow

Students are doing it tough

What students are saying

Leilani | University of Newcastle (Pharmacy)

“

My experience with placement poverty put a strain on my love for Pharmacy as a profession. As a student, I have been struggling to support myself between my part time work in community pharmacy, and full-time studies. This strain is particularly evident during placement periods, where I am expected to work full time for free, study full time, and work on weekends in an effort to afford food and rent.

Often times, my physical and mental health has taken the impact, and I have found myself putting work over my own health and wellbeing. There seems to be no recognition for students who must live out of home to attend classes in the city, living to afford rent and utilities, and being sent across the state and even across the country on our own savings to then work for free.

Pharmacists are an essential part of the primary health network, and now more than ever we need students to be supported through their studies to help them cross that finish line at graduation. Just like teachers and nurses, without pharmacists, and particularly without the rise of new clinical pharmacists into the workforce, our communities will suffer.

”

Shi-Anne | James Cook University (Pharmacy)

“

I am a proud Mamu woman from the Innisfail region, Far North Queensland. I am just finishing my 3rd year of Pharmacy at James Cook University, Cairns. I grew up on the Atherton Tablelands where I still live.

I was the first in my family to graduate highschool and the first to go to university. It's been hard adjusting to university, especially without having anyone around me that has experienced it before.

I am excited for my placement in January, but it has already cost me $4000 for accommodation, not including flights or groceries. This is on top of my rent and bills I have to pay at home.

This is something that myself and many students from more rural hospitals worry about in order to get experience in major hospitals.

”