Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)

On 1 July 2025, the Australian Government introduced the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to support eligible students in nursing, midwifery, teaching, and social work degrees with the costs of mandatory placements.

The CPP aims to reduce financial pressure during mandatory practicum periods when students often face increased expenses and limited capacity to undertake paid work, allowing them to focus on gaining valuable practical experience.

The amount eligible students can receive per week of placement is benchmarked to the single Austudy rate as of 1 January each year. Payments are classed as taxable income and are means-tested to provide support to students who need it most.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible to receive the CPP, you must be:

• A Domestic student (an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen (or dual citizenship holders of either Australia or New Zealand), or an Australian permanent resident visa holder).
• Completing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in an eligible program of study that leads to entry-to-practice in nursing, midwifery, teaching or social work.
• Undertaking a mandatory practicum placement on a full-time basis (30+ hours per week), or a continuity of care placement (midwifery only) as part of your qualification.
• Enrolled in a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) for the unit/course connected to the mandatory placement. 

You must also meet one of the following criteria:

Criteria 1:

• Be receiving an eligible Commonwealth Income Support Payment.

OR

Criteria 2:

• Have a ‘Need to work’ as evidenced by having worked more than 15 hours per week on average (i.e. more than 60 hours in total) in either the 4-week period prior to applying for CPP or the 4-week period prior to your placement commencement date (whichever is earlier), during an ordinary study period (‘Need to Work Test’).

and

• must not have earned more than $1,500 per week gross (before tax) on average within the same 4-week evidentiary period (i.e. $6000 gross total), including amounts of scholarships or similar financial cost of living assistance from the Commonwealth, States and Territories (‘Income test’).

Eligible programs

Eligible programs of study are entry-to-practice Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work that are accredited/approved by the relevant professional standards body.

What is the maximum number of weeks?

Maximum CPP funded weeks of placement for each eligible discipline

• Nursing (Bachelor) = 20
• Nursing (Masters) = 20
• Midwifery (Bachelor) = 26
• Midwifery (Masters) = 26
• Teacher Education (Bachelor) = 16
• Teacher Education (Masters) = 12
• Social Work (Bachelor) = 26
• Social Work (Masters) = 26

Whilst many programs will have placement requirements above the minimum requirement for accreditation, students will not be entitled to the CPP for additional placement weeks required to complete their program.

Eligible students will be able to apply for the CPP for a maximum number of weeks, equivalent to the minimum weeks of placement required to achieve entry-to-practice in their discipline, as determined by the relevant accrediting body.

Exceptional circumstances

Students who cannot meet placement-hours or means-testing due to Exceptional Circumstances (e.g. disability, health/medical issues, or acute personal/family events) may apply for the CPP based on exceptional circumstances. If the University is satisfied that Exceptional Circumstances apply, the University will forward details of your application to the Department of Education on your behalf, for their review.

The Department should notify the University of the outcome of their review within 7-10 working days of receipt. The University will then notify you of the outcome of your application and proceed with the payment process, if applicable. 

Applications

Application outcomes 

How will I receive an outcome?

You will be notified by email and your InPlace portal once assessed. If approved, you’ll receive a secure link to provide bank details; payments are then processed. 

Appeals and complaints

You may request a review via the Student Complaints Resolution Procedure , or lodge CPP-policy complaints directly with the Department of Education (per DoE factsheet). 

Changes & obligations

You must inform the University of any change in your circumstances that could affect your eligibility or payment for the CPP, such as:

• changes to your program status, course enrolment or placement details (dates/hours/duration) that may affect your eligibility for the CPP.
• changes to Commonwealth Income Support Payments, where you have started or stopped receiving an Income Support Payment (eligibility under Criteria 1).
• changes to your employment status or hours of work (eligibility under Criteria 2).
• changes in personal income that would result in exceeding the gross income limits described under Criteria 2 (including increased wages, new income streams, receiving additional support from other Commonwealth and State/Territory scholarships).
• changes to your Exceptional Circumstances, if you have applied on this basis.
• changes to your method of receiving payment (ie. bank details).
• if you decide to withdraw your application for the CPP.
• any other changes which may have impact on your eligibility for the CPP.

NB. If your eligibility changes after you have been paid the CPP, you may be required to repay the portion of CPP for any weeks of placement you are deemed to be ineligible.

Government reporting requirements

The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is considered assessable income for taxation and social security purposes and may impact the rate at which a person receives a social security payment. Students are required to declare the amounts of CPP they receive to:

• The Australian Taxation Office as part of annual tax returns (recipients should seek their own taxation advice).
• Services Australia/Centrelink, to assess their ongoing rates of social security payment or other allowance, if applicable.
• The Department of Veterans’ Affairs, if applicable.

The University will notify students in writing, at the end of each financial year, the amount of CPP they have been paid during that financial year. If a student withdraws/discontinues from their program or leaves the University, they may request this information be provided to them early.

Students are responsible for managing potential impacts of CPP on any Commonwealth Income Support Payments (ISP) or financial assistance from other sources.