Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will announce at the 50th Labor National Conference in Adelaide the extension of the 'Paid Prac' program to 10 new health professional categories.The initiative, which began last year, provides eligible students with up to $338.60 weekly while undertaking clinical placements.

The expansion covers clinical psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, paramedicine, radiography, pharmacy, rehabilitation therapies, and audiology.This brings the total number of supported students to 95,000, with an estimated $745 million investment over 2026-2030.Albanese emphasized the program's role in addressing the cost of living crisis and investing in future healthcare workers.The move is expected to support over 20,000 additional students, with the expansion costing $158 million between 2026-2027 and 2029-2030.

The speech, titled 'Delivering Real Change,' also addresses broader economic challenges and criticizes political rhetoric that lacks practical solutions.The conference, attended by 400 delegates, will focus on policy reforms and tackling issues like housing and energy taxation.