Australian Medical Students' Association - AMSA

What does it really cost to be a medical student? 🩺💸

A recent survey of 163 medical students at an Australian university has highlighted the often-hidden financial costs of compulsory clinical placements.

The study found that 97.8% of students were financially affected by placement, with 56.8% reporting a great or extreme impact.

But the impact went far beyond finances. Students described effects on their mental and physical health, education, access to food and healthcare, social lives and personal safety.

For students who rely on part-time work to support themselves, unpredictable placement hours can mean losing shifts, working overnight or sacrificing holidays to rebuild savings.

And as one student put it:

“I come from a low SES family. They cannot help. I can hardly work with full-time placement.”

The findings highlight an important reality: medical students do not all come from wealthy families, and financial hardship can shape the experience of medical school in ways that aren’t always visible.

The study will be published in the December issue of Focus on Health Professional Education (FoHPE).

Placement is essential. But so is ensuring that students can afford to participate in it.

💬 Have placement costs affected your ability to work, study or look after yourself?

Share your experience with AMSA through our survey:
https://tinyurl.com/amsayourexperience

🌅 Applications are now open for the BRIS27 Subcommittee Team!
Want to help bring the 68th AMSA National Convention to life?
Whether you’re passionate about events, marketing, logistics, sponsorship, welfare, academics, IT, or creating unforgettable experiences, there’s a place for you on the team.
✨ Join our BRIS27 family!
🤝 Develop leadership and professional skills.
🎉 Help deliver the BIGGEST student run conference in the world
📖 Read our Subcommittee Booklet to learn more about each portfolio.
🔗 Apply via the link in our bio.
🗓️ Applications close 11:59 PM AEST, Sunday 16th August.
We can’t wait to meet the next generation of the BRIS27 team! 💙💛

Doctors. Founders. Authors. Innovators. 🩺✨
The CCIM26 speakers aren’t your typical conference panel; they’re the trailblazers showing us what’s possible beyond traditional hospital walls.
Come get inspired, build your network, and start designing a career that fits you.
📍 Gold Coast | 📅 4–5 Sept 2026
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📣 Applications are now OPEN for the AMSA National Secretary and Medical Education Secretary! 📣

Looking to make an impact behind the scenes while helping shape the future of AMSA? 🌟

The National Secretary is a senior leadership position within the National Executive, supporting the Core Four, coordinating the organisation’s operations, and ensuring continuity across AMSA. This role follows a mid-year to mid-year transition model, beginning as Deputy Secretary before stepping into the National Secretary role. 🤝

The Medical Education Secretary plays a key role in keeping one of AMSA’s largest portfolios running smoothly. From managing communication platforms and coordinating meetings to supporting events, advocacy, sponsorship, podcasts, and student engagement, you’ll help drive the work of the Med Ed team while preserving institutional knowledge. 💻📚

Whether you’re passionate about organisation, leadership, or supporting volunteers, these roles are a fantastic opportunity to contribute to AMSA at a national level. 🧡

📝 Apply here:
https://tinyurl.com/amsasecretary2026app

📄 National Secretary Information:
https://tinyurl.com/amsanatsecinfo

📄 Medical Education Secretary Information:
https://tinyurl.com/mededsecinfo

We can’t wait to see your application! ✨

The Commonwealth Prac Payment has now been expanded to cover nine allied health degrees. While this is a welcome step towards supporting students on placement, medical students remain excluded.

Medical students complete some of the highest number of mandatory placement hours of any degree, often relocating, reducing paid work, and facing significant out-of-pocket costs just to meet course requirements.

For students from low-income, rural, and regional backgrounds, these financial pressures can be the difference between staying in medicine and leaving their degree. No student should have to choose between completing their placements and paying their bills.

🩺 Have you been affected? We’d love to hear your experience:
https://tinyurl.com/amsayourexperience

✍️ Help us advocate for change. Sign the petition calling on the Federal Government to extend the Commonwealth Prac Payment to medical students ahead of the 2027 review:
https://tinyurl.com/expandpracpayments

Every story and every signature helps strengthen our advocacy. 🧡

🚨 Rural Health Summit 2027 Core Four Callouts Open Now! 🚨

Want to bring one of AMSA’s biggest and most incredible events to your own local community? 😮 Now is your absolute chance, because callouts are officially open for bids to host RHS27! 🤠🫶🏻

After breaking records yet again, we want YOU to step up and bring the unique RHS magic to your town or city. Pass this onto your friends, tag your crew, or share it with anyone who has what it takes to lead the charge! 👯

Everything you need to get started is right here:

📁 Application Package: https://bit.ly/4vD4COu
📝 RHS Core Four Application: https://forms.gle/Hgwd193mReFymF1X8

⏳ Callouts close 1st of September. Get your bids in!