The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) has welcomed the Australian Government's decision to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme to an additional ten allied health professions from 1 July 2027, while expressing disappointment that counselling students remain excluded.
The announcement, made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Australian Labor Party National Conference, will provide eligible students studying clinical psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, podiatry, audiology, radiography, rehabilitation therapies, paramedicine and pharmacy with financial support while undertaking mandatory clinical placements.
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ACA Chief Executive Officer Peta Pitcher congratulates the Government on its commitment to reducing financial barriers for students but said counselling students should not continue to be overlooked.
“This is undoubtedly great news for thousands of allied health students who often face significant financial hardship while completing mandatory placements. We congratulate Prime Minister Albanese and the Government on recognising the challenges students face and investing in Australia's future mental health workforce," Ms Pitcher said.
“However, with the National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists endorsed by the Hon. Mark Butler, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, in October 2025, it is disappointing that counselling students have once again been excluded. Counsellors and psychotherapists are a vital part of Australia's mental health workforce, and leaving them out of this initiative risks undermining efforts to strengthen access to quality mental health care.”
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Counselling students complete extensive mandatory placements as part of their qualifications, often balancing unpaid clinical hours with paid employment and the rising cost of living. Like students in other health professions, these placements are essential to ensuring graduates are work-ready and equipped to deliver safe, high-quality care.
Australia is experiencing unprecedented demand for mental health services, with counsellors playing a vital role in supporting individuals, families and communities across the country. ACA represents more than 24,000 registered counsellors, psychotherapists and students, many of whom began their careers by completing extensive unpaid placements.
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ACA is calling on the Australian Government to extend the Commonwealth Prac Payment to counselling students, ensuring all professions delivering essential mental health care receive equitable support.
"Today's announcement is a welcome step forward, but it should not be the finish line. We encourage the Government to continue expanding the program so that counselling students are afforded the same opportunities as their peers in other allied health professions."
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ENDS
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Australian Counselling Association
Phone: 07 3356 4255
Email: aca@theaca.net.au
Website: www.theaca.net.au