Commonwealth Prac Payment

Starting from July 2025, if you are undertaking mandatory placement as part of a teaching, nursing and midwifery, or social work degree, and meet the eligibility criteria, you will be able to access $338.60 per week for the duration of your placement.

The CPP is benchmarked against single Austudy rate and will be allocated based on a means test, ensuring that the funds go to the students who need it most. Applications for the CPP are allocated by a means test.

To be eligible for the CPP, you must be:

1. A domestic student studying in a Commonwealth Supported Place;
2. Completing an eligible Bachelor or Masters program for teaching, nursing, midwifery, or social work;
3. Either receiving a commonwealth income support payment or meet the 'Need to Work' and means test;

4. Enrolled in a placement subject which requires at least 30 hours per week or a Midwifery Continuity of Care placement.

Please ensure you are enrolled in a placement subject before applying and have your supporting documentation.

Placement Requirements

• Placements must normally require you to participate for an average of at least 30 hours per week.
• For midwifery students, placements in the Continuity of Care model are also eligible.
• Payments are capped at the minimum number of weeks required by the accrediting body for your discipline:

Eligible JCU course with mandatory placements are:

1. Check your eligibility – review the criteria above.
2. Prepare your documents – payslips, Centrelink statements, or supporting documents for exceptional circumstances.
3. Apply for The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)
4. Await outcome – you’ll be notified of the result and payment schedule.

You will need to supply supporting documents in your application. We recommend you gather all necessary documents ahead of time to ensure a smooth application process.

Work and Income Tests

If you are not already receiving an eligible Income Support Payment, you must meet both of the following:

Need to Work Test

• You must show you worked at least 60 hours over a continuous 4-week period during your most recent study period (averaging at least 15 hours per week). Please note: The 4 consecutive week work period cannot include any Study Breaks between regular Study Periods, however does include residential weeks, Lecture recess/ Study vacation and Exam Weeks.
• Evidence may include payslips, payroll records, employer letter, or self-employment invoices.

Income Test

• You must show that you did not earn more than $1,536.37 gross per week (before tax) on average over the same 4-week period.
• This includes wages, scholarships or bursaries paid directly to you, and other financial support.

Exceptional Circumstances

If you don’t meet the usual CPP requirements (such as the 30 hours per week placement rule, or the Need to Work / Income Tests), you may still be eligible under Exceptional Circumstances.

What counts as Exceptional Circumstances?

Exceptional circumstances are situations that are outside of your control and have a direct impact on your ability to meet the eligibility rules. These may include:

• Disability – e.g. where approved adjustments mean you cannot meet the 30 hours per week or the Need to Work test.
• Health or medical issues – e.g. a short-term illness during the 4-week evidence period that prevents you from working.
• Acute personal or family life events – e.g. a significant family emergency, bereavement, or other major personal disruption.

Types of Exceptional Circumstances

• Episodic (temporary): Short-term events such as illness or accident.
• Ongoing (long-term): Conditions such as disability or chronic illness that continue to impact your study and placement capacity.

What evidence is required?

You will need to provide credible supporting documents such as:

• A medical certificate or health professional letter
• An Individual Education Plan or reasonable adjustment agreement
• Evidence of a significant family or personal event (e.g. official documentation, letter from a professional support service)
• Pay slips or similar showing meeting “Need to Work” prior to your Exceptional Circumstances

Please be advised that applications are being managed and assessed by the Student Finance & Scholarship team at JCU.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Student Finance & Scholarships team on studentfinance@jcu.edu.au

• Can I apply for the Commonwealth Prac Payments (CPP)  for placements that begin before 1 July 2025
• What Commonwealth support payments make me eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)?
• What supporting documentation do I need to supply to show I am eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)?
• What is the ‘Need to Work’ test and ‘Means’ test for the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)?
• What happens if I am completing multiple placements?

Further information for students ad FAQ'S from the Department of Education

• For Students - Department of Education, Australian Government
• Frequently Asked Questions - Department of Education, Australian Government