What’s happening?
Medical students across Australia are still expected to complete 2,000 hours of unpaid clinical placements, often in regional areas , without receiving the same financial support as other disciplines.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has joined Independent MP Dr Monique Ryan in urging change through a proposed amendment to HELP legislation.
The amendment would make medical students eligible for federal prac payments, bringing parity with students in nursing and midwifery.
Why it matters
These mandatory placements cost students time, income and travel, especially in rural and remote locations. Unlike their peers, medical students receive no direct support to complete these hours. AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen says it’s time to correct that.
“Students who train in regional settings are more likely to stay. We should support that,” said Dr McMullen.
Local Impact
The financial pressure forces many students to avoid rural placements, reducing the likelihood of them returning to work in those communities. The impact is felt most in remote areas that already struggle to recruit and retain medical staff. Removing this burden could shift more young doctors toward a rural future.
By the numbers:
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2,000 hours of unpaid placement are required by medical students.
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290,000+ Australians have signed a petition backing the amendment.
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$0 in federal prac payment is currently provided to med students.
Zoom In
The AMA highlights rural placements as more than just a requirement, they are a first step toward building rural medical careers. Making these placements financially viable is critical for long-term retention and workforce stability in the regions.
Zoom Out
Health access remains unequal in Australia. Rural patients wait longer, travel further, and have fewer options. The call to extend prac payments is part of a wider push to improve care in areas that need it most, not just through infrastructure, but by supporting the future workforce.
What to look for next?
All attention now turns to whether the federal government will support the proposed amendment. If adopted, it could reshape both health policy and medical education, putting fairness and access at the centre of reform.
