Do you know someone studying a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work, or a Diploma of Nursing? They may be eligible to apply for the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP).
A payment of $331.65 per week is now available to eligible domestic students to help manage the costs of undertaking a mandatory placement as part of their course.
Placements are an important part of qualifications for a range of professions to ensure graduates have the skills and experience to enter the workforce. But students can struggle with the financial impact of unpaid work placements, with some having to leave part-time jobs to participate or withdraw from study.
The Australian Government is investing $427.4 million over four years from 2024-25 to establish the Commonwealth Prac Payment in teaching, nursing, midwifery or social work because of staff shortages in these key sectors.
To be eligible for the payment, students must be:
- a domestic student enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
- enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a course of study that leads to entry-to-practice in teaching, nursing, midwifery or social work at an eligible higher education provider or a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Diploma of Nursing
- completing a mandatory placement required for professional accreditation that either:
- averages 30 or more hours per week, or
- is known as a continuity of care placement, as part of a course of study in midwifery, which prevents the student from being able to maintain paid work due to the need to ensure their availability during the placement, and you will need to be either:
- be on an Australian Government income support payment (e.g. ABSTUDY, Austudy, Youth Allowance, Disability Support Pension or DVA income support payment) or ABSTUDY, or
- meet a Need to Work Test and an Income Test where you provide evidence of working an average 15+ hours per week over a 4-week period during your normal study (outside placement), with an individual income threshold of $1,500 per week (before tax) including income from State, Territory or Commonwealth scholarships during the same period.
Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP said:
“This will give people who have signed up to do some of the most important jobs in this country a bit of extra help to get the qualifications they need.
“These are people who are going to teach our kids, who are going to look after us when we're sick or when we're old, going to help women during childbirth and help support women in domestic violence refuges.
“And that's why this is important. It's a bit of practical support for people while they do their practical training.”
Students enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the relevant disciplines apply through their higher education provider.
Students enrolled in a Diploma of Nursing at a TAFE or Registered Training Organisation need to apply through the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
To find out more, visit Commonwealth Prac Payment.