Position statement on equity for rural HELP debt subsidies

This position statement is designed to serve as a statement of equity on rural Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt subsidies.

What is Osteopathy Australia advocating for?

Osteopaths, along with many other allied health students, struggle with the cost of living. Nursing and medicine colleagues have received HELP write-offs for rural or remote practitioners. Government must recognise and support students from all health disciplines during a cost-of-living crisis.

Why this benefits Australians

• Assist future healthcare practitioners to complete studies, regardless of financial status or geography.
• Increases the supply of allied healthcare professionals, particularly those in rural, regional and remote areas.
• Reduces the impact of current workforce shortages acknowledged across Australia.
• Improve access and equity for Australians to healthcare.

Policy issues and barriers

• Lack of equity in government funding to subsidise allied health student debt for those working in rural and remote locations.
• No incentives for osteopaths to work in rural and remote locations like other professions such as medicine and nursing.

Review

This position statement will be reviewed as often as required to align with legislative, regulatory, policy and/or practice change. Last review: January 2026.

Need more information or help?

For further information, a suggestion or to discuss this topic, please:

• Email your enquiry to [email protected]
• Call Osteopathy Australia on 1800 467 836
• Access further information via osteopathy.org.au

A downloadable version of this position statement is available here.