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Commonwealth Prac Payment supporting students through placement

17 April 2025 · 2 min read
Are you studying nursing, midwifery, teaching, or social work? If so, you might be eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP), a new initiative by the Australian Government designed to support students during their mandatory placements. Starting from 1 July this year, the CPP aims to help support you financially while you’re completing a compulsory placement.

Why placements matter
 

Placements are a crucial part of your education. They’re compulsory on some courses and you won’t be able to pass the course with completing the required number of hours. But apart from being a course requirement, they also give you a fantastic opportunity to apply your knowledge in the ‘real world’ and get a taste of your future career.  
 
We know that for some students, balancing placements with other commitments can be tricky, especially when it comes to finances. Going on a placement might, for example, involve extra travel and clothing costs. That’s where the Commonwealth Prac Payment comes in.
 

What is the Commonwealth Prac Payment?
 

The Commonwealth Prac Payment is a regular payment provided to eligible students during their placement periods. If you're studying teaching, nursing, midwifery, or social work, and your degree includes large blocks of compulsory work experience, you might qualify for it. It’s designed to help you focus on your studies and placements without the added stress of needing to find paid employment.
 

How does it work?
 

To be eligible, you must be a domestic student enrolled in an eligible course and receiving Centrelink benefits or meeting the ‘Need to work’ test set by the Government. If you qualify, you'll receive $319.50 per week during your placement periods. This payment won't affect your Centrelink benefits but will count as taxable income.
 

Applying for the Commonwealth Prac Payment
 

When applications open, you'll need to submit your supporting documents and pass a means test to prove your eligibility. Don't worry, we'll provide you with all the details and guidance you need closer to July. Our goal is to make the application process as smooth and straightforward as possible, so you can focus on what really matters – your education and career development.
 

Which courses could be eligible?
 

Nursing and Midwifery

  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery
  • Graduate Diploma of Midwifery

 
Education

  • Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
  • Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)
  • Bachelor of Education (Primary)
  • Bachelor of Secondary Education
  • Bachelor of Secondary Education (Health and Physical Education Teaching)
  • Bachelor of Secondary Education (Applied Teaching)
  • Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)
  • Master of Teaching (Primary)
  • Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Social Work

  • Bachelor of Social Work
  • Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
  • Master of Social Work (Qualifying) (Children and Families)
     

Stay informed


We understand that you might be anxious to know when you can apply and how it all works. Rest assured, we'll keep you updated as we receive more information and will contact students in eligible courses closer to 1 July. In the meantime, you can find the latest information on the Australian Government Commonwealth Prac Payment webpage.