Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)

The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is a new Australian Government initiative designed to support eligible students undertaking mandatory practical placements. It aims to reduce financial pressure and help students complete their studies.

The CPP will be available for placements that begin on or after 1 July 2025. It is not available for placements completed before this date.

To be eligible, you must be:

1. A domestic student studying in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).  
2. Completing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an eligible nursing, midwifery, social work or teaching course.  
3. Either receiving an eligible Centrelink Income Support Payment (ISP) or meet both the Need to Work Test and Income Test.  
4. Undertaking a mandatory placement that meets one of the following criteria: 
   • Placement of at least 30 hours or more per week for the duration of the placement; or   
   • For midwifery students, undertaking a Continuity of Care placement, which has alternate criteria. 

Yes. Part-time students can apply for the CPP if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

No. The CPP is only available to domestic students enrolled in an eligible course.

In 2025, eligible students will receive $331.65 per week, benchmarked to the single Austudy rate. This amount is subject to change in future years.

Yes. CPP payments are considered taxable income. You must report them to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Services Australia if you receive other income support.

Yes. If you receive payments such as Youth Allowance, Austudy, or ABSTUDY, you must report your CPP income to Services Australia, as you would with any other income.

You may still be eligible if you meet both of the following:

• The Need to Work Test: You must show that you usually work more than 15 hours per week during your studies.
• The Income Test: Your total income over a four-week period must be less than AU$1,500 per week (before tax).  

You’ll need to provide supporting documents such as payslips, payroll records, or invoices (if self-employed).

Depending on your situation, you may need to provide one of the following:

• A Centrelink Income Statement or DVA Payment Summary.
• Evidence of employment (e.g. payslips or timesheets).
• Documentation for exceptional circumstances (e.g. medical certificate or education plan).

If you don’t meet the standard eligibility criteria but face significant barriers to completing your placement (e.g. disability, illness, or caring responsibilities), you may still be eligible. You’ll need to provide documentation (e.g. medical certificate or education plan), and your case will be assessed individually.  If the University determines that your circumstances may meet the criteria, your application and supporting documentation will be submitted to the Department of Education (DoE) for final approval.

Applications are expected to open in mid-2025. CQUniversity will provide more information closer to the date, including how to apply and what documents to submit.

Payments will be made via electronic funds transfer (EFT) to your nominated bank account. Please ensure that your banking details are up to date in MyCQU.

The maximum number of weeks you can receive CPP funding for depends on how long your required placement lasts, up to a set limit. The maximum number of weeks for CPP funding is determined by the minimum period of placement required by the relevant accrediting body to achieve entry-to-practice in the eligible discipline.

To be eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment, students are required to undertake a minimum of 30 placement hours per week.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and your placement is within the maximum approved placement weeks, you will be eligible to receive the Commonwealth Prac Payment.

Refer to the Who is eligible for the CPP? and What is the maximum number of placement weeks for CPP funding? FAQs.

If anything changes during your studies that might affect your eligibility, you will need to submit a form for any changes of circumstances relating to your prac placement. Information on how to submit this form will become available on the website closer to the opening date.

You can also call us on 13 27 86 between 7:30 am - 6:00 pm AEST, Monday to Friday, or email studentscholarships@cqu.edu.au.

If you need to defer your placement, you will need to submit a form for changes of circumstances. This form is needed for any changes of circumstances relating to your prac placement. Information on how to submit this form will become available on the website closer to the opening date.

You can usually keep the payment you've already received, as long as you complete the placement later.  If CPP has already been paid for all of the allocated placement weeks, no additional payments will be made when recommencing the placement after a deferral.

If you withdraw from your course before completing your placement and have already received the Commonwealth Prac Payment, you will need to submit a form for any changes of circumstances relating to your prac placement, as soon as possible. Information on how to submit this form will become available on the website closer to the opening date.

If you change to a different course that’s also eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment (like moving from teaching to nursing), you need to let us know that your circumstances have changed and submit a new CPP application form for the new course. 

Step 1

Submit a form for any changes of circumstances relating to your current prac placement. The CPP Change of Circumstances form is available from MyCQU. Visit the Support view, then Student Forms, and search for 'CPP'. This helps avoid any issues like overpayments.

Step 2

Submit a new CPP application for the new course once you have been admitted and enrolled into the CPP eligible course.

You will need to apply for the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) for each placement you are attending. However, if you received a CPP in the previous six months you will not be required to provide any additional evidence, you will just need to apply and confirm your circumstances have not changed. For applications over six months you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility with your application.