Expanding paid prac to clinical psychology students is the latest step the Albanese Labor Government is taking to build the strong mental health workforce Australia needs.
Clinical psychology students complete around 1,000 hours of placement before they can become psychologists. For many, that means cutting back on paid work, taking on additional financial pressure, and moving away from home to complete their training.
Paid prac is helping to remove those barriers by providing financial support while students undertake practical training. It allows students to spend less time worrying about paying bills and more time focused on gaining the skills and experience needed to join the workforce.
The means-tested payment is currently $338.60 per week and is indexed annually in line with the single Austudy rate.
The expansion of paid prac to clinical psychology students builds on the Albanese Labor Government's $138 million investment to grow Australia's psychology workforce.
A key part of this investment is the Provisional Psychologist Support Program (PPSP), which provides placement opportunities for psychology graduates working towards general registration.
To mark the beginning of Mental Health Month, Minister for Education Jason Clare and Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride visited the Campbelltown Medicare Mental Health Centre, where they met two provisional psychologists currently undertaking placements.
Isabella Veals, one of the Provisional Psychologists at the centre said that the PPSP is providing her the hands-on experience she needs for her development without having to pay for external supervision.
"This program has allowed me to work in an organisation with the ability to support myself as a provisional psychologist knowing that they are there to support me with working towards my general registration.
“The supervision available throughout my internship has enabled me to develop my scope of practice, increase my clinical competency working with complex and high-needs clients, as well as access support from a team of fantastic supervisors with a range of expertise when I need it without the significant stress that comes alongside organising and paying for costly external supervision."
Already, 120 provisional psychologists have completed the program and become registered psychologists, while a further 548 are currently undertaking placements as they work towards registration and joining Australia's mental health workforce.
To further strengthen the pipeline of future psychologists, the Albanese Labor Government will deliver an additional 1,907 psychology placements by 2029.
The Government has also supported more than 2,300 psychology supervisor training places, ensuring students can access the supervision and practical experience they require while on placement.
These investments are already making a difference through services like Medicare Mental Health Centres, where Australians can access free mental health support close to home.
Since opening in October 2025, the Campbelltown Medicare Mental Health Centre has delivered more than 6,000 hours of free mental health care.
Across Australia, 57 Medicare Mental Health Centres are providing free, walk-in mental health support and have already delivered more than 500,000 appointments. Backed by a $267.3 million investment, the Albanese Labor Government will expand the network to 92 Centres nationwide.
For young people seeking support, the Albanese Labor Government is also investing more than $300 million in the headspace network, which currently operates 176 centres across Australia and will grow to more than 200.
For support or more information, you can call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 or visit www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au.
For headspace call 1800 650 890 or www.headspace.org.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister Clare:
“We need more clinical psychologists. That’s why helping psych students with the costs of their training is so important.
“These are the people who will look after Australians during some of their toughest times.
“Paid prac will help them to pay the bills, pay the rent and pay for things like petrol and parking as they train.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
“The Albanese Labor Government is delivering a stronger mental health system, making sure more Australians can access quality care close to home, no matter where they live.
“One in five Australians experience mental health challenges each year, and for young people that figure is even higher. Meeting that growing need starts with building the strong mental health workforce Australia needs.
“By expanding paid placements and supporting provisional psychologists, we are helping more people complete their training, join the workforce and provide care to Australians who need it.
“By growing our network of headspace and Medicare Mental Health Centres, we are making sure there is always somewhere to turn to when times get tough.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Freelander MP:
“Strengthening our healthcare system is a key priority of mine and of our Federal Labor Government and by expanding paid prac for clinical psychologist students, we are supporting the workforce of tomorrow.
“This is just another way the Albanese Labor Government is investing in our mental health system and helping ensure psychology students can afford to continue their vital studies.