Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to expand eligibility for the government's $338-a-week Commonwealth Prac Payment, extending the financial support to thousands more university students undertaking mandatory placements. The scheme was introduced to ease the financial strain on students who must complete unpaid work placements as part of their courses, often forcing them to reduce paid work or take on additional debt, and the expansion aims to bring more disciplines and students under its coverage.

The payment, worth $338 a week, was originally aimed at students in fields such as teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work who face compulsory placement hours. The planned extension would broaden access to additional courses and larger numbers of students, reflecting government efforts to address concerns about "placement poverty" affecting those studying for careers with mandatory practical training requirements.