Commonwealth Prac Payment CPP

Commonwealth Prac Payment

Eligible domestic students whose course requires a mandatory placement in teaching, social work, nursing or midwifery may qualify for financial assistance,commencing after 1 July 2025. Eligible courses of study at Southern Cross University include:

The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is being introduced by the Australian Government to help students manage the costs associated with undertaking a mandatory placement. In 2025, the payment will be $331.65 per week and will be benchmarked to the single Austudy rate. The proposed eligibility criteria are aimed to focus on students at most risk who face placement poverty and a reduced availability to undertake paid work.

Proposed Eligibility Criteria

While the final eligibility requirements are being finalised, some of the proposed criteria are:

  • Must be enrolled in an accredited program at an Australian higher education provider
  • Must be undertaking a mandatory professional experience placement
  • Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an eligible humanitarian visa
  • Must meet any other specific criteria outlined by the Department of Education

Applicants must also satisfy one of the following proposed criteria:

  • Currently in receipt of one of a Commonwealth Income Support Payment which includes AUSTUDY, ABSTUDY, Youth Allowance and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Education Schemes.
  • Demonstrate a need to work as evidenced by having worked more than 15 hours per week (i.e. more than 60 hours in total) in a continuous 4-week period during ordinary study periods (i.e. not during holidays) prior to application. This includes not earning more than $1,500 per week gross (pre-tax) within the same 4-week evidentiary period, including amounts of scholarships or similar financial cost of living assistance from the Commonwealth, States and Territories.

For more Student Eligibility, see the Department of Education’s Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) page. They also have published a CPP Frequently Asked Questions page about this scheme.

Next steps

SCU is working with the relevant government bodies and technology providers to finalise the details. Further information on the application process will be available closer to July.