The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is designed to support students who are likely to face financial challenges during their mandatory placements. It aims to help with additional costs incurred by students while they are completing practical placements as part of their course.
CPP payments will be available starting mid to late July, 2025, providing students with $331.65 per week.
Eligibility
To be eligible for CPP payments students must:
- Must be a domestic student
- Enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
- Completing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree which requires mandatory placements (e.g. Nursing or teaching).
- Placements must be at least 30 hours per week for the length of the placement
And must:
- Receive income support payments (Centrelink support, DVA or ABSTUDY), or
Meet need-to-work criteria (Demonstrate working on average more than 15 hours per week during regular studies in the four weeks prior to applying and earn no more than $1,500 per week (pre -tax) on average during that 4-week period).
Course eligibility
Murdoch University offers the following courses in the School of Education and School of Nursing that are eligible for Commonwealth Prac Payments:
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary Teaching)
- Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching)
- Bachelor of Education (Primary, 1-10 Health and Physical Education)
- Bachelor of Education (Secondary Teaching)
- Master of Teaching (Primary)
- Master of Teaching (Secondary)
- Bachelor of Nursing
Exceptional circumstances
Students who do not meet the eligibility criteria for CPP but require additional financial support may still access CPP under exceptional circumstances. Disability, illness, caregiving responsibilities, or the requirement for reasonable adjustments that affect their ability to meet eligibility criteria could be considered exceptional circumstances. These cases are reviewed individually, and supporting documentation must be provided for consideration.
How to apply
Students can apply online when applications are open. Applications will only be open after the student’s placement has been confirmed.
Supporting documents
Students must provide evidence to support their application. Applications submitted without the necessary supporting documentation may delay your application.
Additional proof of income may be required, such as scholarships or subsidies that you receive.
How will you be notified of your application outcome?
Applications will be evaluated based on criteria established by the Australian Government. Students will be informed of their application outcome through their Murdoch student email account. Eligible students will receive details about the payments and the obligations they need to follow, along with a form to provide bank details for payment processing.
Obligations
If any changes in circumstances occur that could affect a student's eligibility for CPP, the student must inform the university as soon as possible. These changes may include, but are not limited to:
- Changes in enrolment status or exceptional circumstances.
- Changes that affect eligibility to qualify for CPP
- Changes in employment hours, status, or income.
- Withdrawal or deferral from a unit or course.
- Changes to timing or duration of placement
- Withdrawal from the CPP application.
- Any other changes that may impact eligibility.
Students must manage any potential impacts of CPP on their income support payments or financial assistance. Students must comply with all obligations and promptly inform any relevant governing bodies or departments of any changes. Providing false or misleading information is an offence and may result in criminal convictions, exclusion from future applications or requirement to repay any payments received.
