APS response to the Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024 inquiry

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) was pleased to respond to this inquiry which is a critical outcome of the Universities Accord review and articulates the Commonwealth Prac Payment. The APS is deeply disappointed that the current conceptualisation of this payment excludes psychology students.

• Given that it is estimated that the psychology workforce in Australia is meeting just 35 per cent of projected national demand, we urgently need support to ensure the psychological health and wellbeing of all Australians. To this end, we advocated on behalf of our diverse profession and community for support for psychology students to undertake the crucial placements.
• We strongly believe that studying psychology should be based on merit, not a student’s ability to afford to live as they complete compulsory unpaid placements hours and urgently called on the Government to include psychology students on placements as recipients of the Commonwealth Prac Payment.

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