Rural Pharmacy Student Placement Allowance (RPSPA) Program
The Rural Pharmacy Student Placement Allowance (RPSPA) Program is an initiative of the Rural Pharmacy Workforce Program (RPWP). The RPWP was established in 1999 in recognition of the key role pharmacists play in maintaining the health of all Australians, particularly in rural and remote Australia. The RPWP is designed to strengthen and support the rural pharmacy workforce, and in turn increase access to quality pharmacy services for patients residing in rural and remote regions of Australia.
RPSPA is one of the Rural Support Programs funded under the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement to support targeted programs and services that improve access to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines and services for people living in rural and remote regions of Australia.
The Placement Allowance Program provides financial support to encourage and enable undergraduate pharmacy degree programs at Australian Universities to deliver compulsory student placements in rural and remote communities. The Scheme aims to facilitate positive placement experiences for pharmacy students in rural and remote communities, encouraging students to return to rural or remote practice on graduation.
What you will need before you proceed:
Please note that this reimbursement is capped at $3000
You can submit claims for any of the following items. you will need to provide supporting documentation (receipts/invoices) as detailed.
PERSONAL CAR USAGE
- You can claim a mileage reimbursement at a cents per kilometer allowance when using your private motor vehicle for this placement travel.
- The rate is set by the ATO (please use the rate relevant to the financial year in which you travelled).
This claim can include ALL placement kilometers travelled in personal car:
- From place of residence to accommodation while on placement
- To and from placement daily
- Return to place of residence after placement
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
- screenshot of distance in kilometers (eg: google maps screenshot indicating distance travelled).
- NOTE: there is no claim available for fuel separately.
FLIGHTS
- You can claim reimbursement for flights to/from placement.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
- Tax Invoice. Proof must show the payment was received.
OTHER TRANSPORT
- You can claim reimbursement for Public transport/taxi/ride share.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
- invoice or receipt.
ACCOMMODATION
- You can claim reimbursement for Accommodation while on placement.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
- invoice or receipt. Proof must show the payment was received.
If someone else paid for part of your trip related to any of the items listed above, and you are seeking reimbursement for that amount, please provide supporting documentation. This should include a statutory declaration and copies of bank receipts that confirm you have repaid the other party.
Supporting Documentation needs to be combined into one file and attached at the end of this form.
Please note that your claim amount must exactly match (to the cent) the evidence/receipts you have provided.
Eligibility
Students must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply:
- Australian citizens, permanent residents or have permanent resident status (the RPSPA is not available to international students)
- Placement Location is not your hometown or the town your university campus is in
- Placement Location falls within the Modified Monash (MM) Category 3-7 (This will be checked within this form)