What’s happening?
Medical students are sounding the alarm over an outdated system that requires them to complete 2,000 hours of unpaid clinical placements, many of which are in rural Australia, with no financial support from the federal government.
This inequity is now being challenged by Independent MP Dr Monique Ryan and the Australian Medical Association (AMA), who are advocating for a change to HELP legislation. The proposed amendment would finally allow medical students to receive federal prac payments, a benefit already available to nursing and midwifery students.
Why it matters
The unpaid nature of medical placements is pushing many students to their limits. These placements often require travel and time away from paid work, particularly when based in regional or remote communities.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen is calling for fairness. “Students who train in regional settings are more likely to stay. We should support that,” she said.
Local Impact
The absence of financial assistance discourages students from choosing rural placements, shrinking the pipeline of doctors willing to return to regional areas. This not only affects students but deepens the strain on already under-resourced rural health systems.
By the numbers:
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2,000 unpaid placement hours are required to complete medical training
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290,000+ Australians have signed a petition supporting the amendment
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$0 in federal prac pay currently goes to medical students
Zoom In
The AMA believes that rural placements can lay the foundation for long-term careers in regional healthcare. By making these experiences financially feasible, Australia can create a stronger, more stable workforce where it’s needed most.
Zoom Out
The issue is tied to a broader challenge: health inequity across Australia. Rural Australians face longer wait times, fewer practitioners, and greater travel distances. Supporting students today could help fill that gap tomorrow.
What to look for next?
The proposed HELP amendment now awaits a response from the federal government. If adopted, it could trigger a policy shift that redefines how Australia supports its future doctors and how it tackles regional health access.
