Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) Frequently Asked Questions

The CPP is a financial support payment introduced by the Australian Government to help eligible students manage the costs of undertaking mandatory placements (practicums) as part of their degree/program in nursing, midwifery, teaching, or social work.

No. The CPP is only available to students enrolled in specific ‘entry-to-practice’ Bachelor’s or Master’s programs in nursing, midwifery, teaching, or social work. These are programs that lead directly to professional registration or accreditation in their field.

Eligible programs at the University of Adelaide include:

• Bachelor of Nursing
• Master of Clinical Nursing
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Economics
• Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Mathematical & Computer Sciences
• Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Economics
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) with Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) with Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) with Bachelor of Business Management
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) with Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) with Bachelor of Science
• Master of Teaching (Secondary)
• Master of Teaching (Middle and Secondary)
• Master of Teaching

The CPP currently supports students in entry-to-practice degrees in teaching, nursing, midwifery, and social work due to their high placement demands and workforce needs. The current government has acknowledged the challenges in other disciplines but there are no plans to expand the CPP to other degrees at this time.

Eligible students will receive $331.65 per week of placement in 2025 (benchmarked to the single Austudy rate on 1 January each year). For example, for a 4-week placement you would receive $1,326.60. See further information on Income testing and how this may affect your eligibility.

No. It is not a wage or wage subsidy. It is a cost-of-living support payment during placement to help alleviate financial costs associated with undertaking a placement. Payments are means-tested to provide support to students who need it most.

The CPP will be effective from 1 July 2025 and is not retrospective. Applications for placements undertaken prior to 1 July 2025 will not be considered. Applications for the CPP will open prior to 1 July 2025.

The program is administered by the Australian federal government Department of Education, in collaboration with eligible Higher Education Providers^*. Higher Education Providers are responsible for promoting the CPP to potentially eligible students, managing CPP applications including dispute resolution and complaints management, making payments to eligible recipients, and providing reports and reconciliations to the Department of Education.

*For students enrolled in a Diploma of Nursing at a TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO), the CPP will be delivered by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

To be eligible for the CPP, you must be:

• A domestic student (an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen (or dual citizenship holders of either Australia or New Zealand), or an Australian permanent resident visa holder)
• Enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
• Currently studying in an eligible Bachelor’s or Master’s degree that leads to entry-to-practice in nursing, midwifery, teaching, or social work
• Undertaking mandatory placements on a full-time basis^{*^} (on average 30 hours or more per week for the duration of placement), in the same field of education as your degree.

You must also:

• Be receiving an eligible Commonwealth Income Support Payment or
• Meet the ‘Need to work test’^{^} and the ‘Income test’.

*Midwifery students on a ‘continuity of care’ placement which prevents them from being able to maintain paid work due to the need to ensure their availability during the placement may also be eligible.

^Students who are unable to participate in mandatory placements for more than 30-hours per week and/or meet the ‘Need to work’ test criteria due to 'Exceptional circumstances' (e.g. disability, illness, carer responsibilities) may apply for the CPP based on Exceptional circumstances.

Note: International students and domestic fee-paying (non-CSP) students are not eligible to apply for the CPP.

Eligible degrees at the University of Adelaide include:

• Bachelor of Nursing
• Master of Clinical Nursing
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Economics
• Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Mathematical & Computer Sciences
• Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Economics
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) with Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) with Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) with Bachelor of Business Management
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) with Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) with Bachelor of Science
• Master of Teaching (Secondary)
• Master of Teaching (Middle and Secondary)
• Master of Teaching

Yes. Part time students in eligible degrees who meet the eligibility criteria and are undertaking mandatory placements on a full-time basis may apply for CPP.

Yes. The total you can receive is limited to the minimum period of placement required to achieve entry-to-practice in your eligible field of education, as set by the relevant accrediting body (see table below). If you change to another eligible field (e.g. from teaching to social work), your entitlement will reset for your new degree.

No. CPP is capped at the minimum period of placement required to achieve entry-to-practice. Students will not be entitled to the CPP for additional placement weeks required to complete their program.

The CPP is capped at the minimum period of placement required to achieve entry-to-practice. Students who need to repeat placements can apply for the CPP until the cap has been reached. Once this cap is reached you will not be eligible to apply for the CPP any additional weeks of placement required to complete your program.

Yes, potentially. If Exceptional circumstances prevent you from meeting CPP placement or means testing criteria, you may still be eligible for support. For example, if you have a demonstrated need to change the number of hours of your placement to less than 30 hours per week on average (e.g. as part of reasonable adjustments for a student with a disability), or where illness or caring responsibilities have resulted in you not being able to work more than 15 hours per week on average during your normal higher education study.

In order to be considered for Exceptional circumstances, you must provide appropriate documentation (such as an individual access/support plan or medical documentation). Where possible, these applications should be made at least 4 weeks prior to the placement start date, to ensure timely processing. Eligibility will be determined case-by-case and only for the affected week/s.

A list of income support payments and allowances is available on the Services Australia website Income Support Payment - Managing your money - Services Australia. The ABSTUDY Living Allowance and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Education Allowance are also eligible Income Support Payments. Students who are not receiving an Income Support Payment as outlined above must satisfy the Need to work test and Income test criteria.

Students who have met the ‘Need to work’ requirement must not have earned more than $1,500 gross (pre-tax) per week^* in that same 4-week evidentiary period (ie. less than $6000 gross total), including amounts of scholarships or similar financial cost of living assistance from the Commonwealth, States and Territories (Income test’).

*The Income test threshold will be indexed annually from 1 January 2026 to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index, with the effective date of indexation being 1 January each year.

• Wages/wage subsidies
• Scholarships/bursaries paid to you
• Other university or Commonwealth and State/Territory Government supports paid directly to you

These include payments received outside the 4-week evidentiary period (eg annual/lump sum payments, or payments you expect to receive while on placement).

NB. Annual or lump sum payments will be converted to a weekly amount and included as part of the Income test.

• Fee waivers
• In-kind supports (e.g., accommodation provided by the university)

Yes. CPP payments count as ordinary income for both tax and social security purposes.

Yes. Recipients of the CPP are required to declare the amounts of CPP they receive to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as part of annual tax returns. (Recipients should seek their own taxation advice).

If you receive an Income Support Payment you will be responsible for reporting your CPP payments to Services Australia, consistent with your existing obligation to report other forms of income and financial assistance.

Yes, potentially. As you must report your CPP payments to Services Australia as part of your regular reporting requirements, the amount of CPP received may impact your Centrelink payment rate. Learn about when and how to report at Services Australia.

At the end of the financial year, the University will provide you with a statement outlining the amount of CPP you have been paid during that financial year.

Apply via the online application form. You will need to have your supporting evidence ready to submit with your application. New applications, without relevant supporting evidence will be denied and you will be required to resubmit your application, or provide additional documentation as requested.

Applications will be accepted within 8 weeks prior to your placement start date. Late applications will be accepted if submitted within 6 months of the placement start date.

Where possible, applications for Exceptional circumstances should be made at least 4 weeks prior to the placement start date.

Depending on your eligibility route:

• Centrelink payment details/Income statement, DVA payment summary or General statement of pension (for Income Support Payments).
• Payslips, timesheets, letter from employer or sole trader evidence and evidence of other income or financial supports as applicable (for Need to work/Income tests).

If applying for the CPP based on Exceptional circumstances, you will need evidence that relates to your particular circumstances, which may include a medical certificate, access/support plan, or statutory declaration, and must include the dates affected by these circumstances.

Yes. In 2025 a separate application form is to be submitted for each placement block that you are applying for the CPP. Some students may have more than one placement block within a single course, and others may have placement blocks across multiple courses.

A new application is required if:

1. It is your first time applying for the CPP for a placement.
2. You are applying for the CPP for a second or subsequent placement but your (Criteria 1 or Criteria 2) circumstances have changed since your last application was approved.
3. You are applying for the CPP based on Exceptional circumstances.
4. The University has asked you to resubmit your application.
5. Your first application for the CPP was approved over 12 months ago.

A confirmation of ongoing eligibility may be submitted, without the need for new supporting evidence if:

1. The University has approved a previous application for the CPP, for which you supplied supporting evidence within the past 12 months, and your circumstances in relation to Criteria 1 or Criteria 2 have not changed.
2. The University and Department of Education have approved a previous application for the CPP under Exceptional circumstances, for which you supplied supporting evidence within the past 12 months, and your Exceptional circumstances/the impact thereof remains ongoing.

You can check your current program of study on your MyAdelaide homepage.

You can check your enrolments in MyAdelaide (under: Studies>Timetable>Class list). If you are still unsure, contact your Program Director or relevant placement team.

Nursing placement team: cpteam@adelaide.edu.au
Teaching placement team: soe_placements@adelaide.edu.au

You will be notified via email about your eligibility, payment amount (if applicable), and any further steps. If your application is approved, you will be sent a secure link via email in which to provide your bank details for payment processing.

Payment processing will occur monthly at minimum, and ideally in advance of the placement start date (pending timely receipt and approval of a completed application).

If you have applied for the CPP and your placement is deferred prior to receiving payment, you will need to advise of your new placement dates as soon as possible.

If your placement is deferred after receiving payment, you may retain the CPP until you complete the deferred placement, so long as your placement is deferred within the same calendar year.

If your placement hours change and you will no longer meet the minimum (30+ per week) hours of placement, or if your placement duration (number of weeks on placement) changes, you will need to advise the University as soon as possible via commpracpay@adelaide.edu.au.

If you have applied for the CPP and your placement is cancelled prior to receiving payment, you will need to advise of the cancellation as soon as possible.

If your placement is cancelled after receiving payment, you will need to repay the portion of CPP for any uncompleted weeks of placement.

If you withdraw from your degree or course after receiving payment, you will need to repay the portion of CPP for any uncompleted weeks of placement. If you complete your placement prior to withdrawing, you will not be required to repay the amount of CPP received.

If you transfer to a new entry-to-practice program in a different discipline (e.g., from Teaching to Nursing), your CPP entitlement will reset, and you will be able to apply for the CPP based on your new program’s placement requirements.

If you applied for the CPP based on receiving an eligible Income Support Payment and this changes before or during your placement, you will need to advise the University as soon as possible via commpracpay@adelaide.edu.au, as this may affect your eligibility and/or payment for the CPP.

If your eligibility changes after you have applied, but before you have received payment, your payment may be cancelled, or reduced to the number of weeks you are deemed to be eligible to receive the CPP.

If your eligibility changes after you have been paid the CPP, or if it isn’t feasible to cancel your payment in time, you may be required to repay the portion of CPP for any weeks you are deemed to be ineligible.

If your eligibility changes after you completed a placement that you received the CPP for, no action is required.

NB. If you no longer receive an eligible Income Support Payment but meet eligibility for the CPP under the ‘Need to work’ and ‘Income test’ criteria, or have ‘Exceptional circumstances’, you may still be eligible for the CPP. In this case you may be asked to apply/reapply on this basis.

If you applied for the CPP based on meeting the ‘Need to work’ and ‘Income test’ criteria and your eligibility changes before or during your placement, you will need to advise the University as soon as possible via commpracpay@adelaide.edu.au, as this may affect your eligibility and/or payment for the CPP.

If your eligibility changes after you have applied, but before you have received payment, your payment may be cancelled, or reduced to the number of weeks you are deemed to be eligible to receive the CPP.

If your eligibility changes after you have been paid the CPP, or if it isn’t feasible to cancel your payment in time, you may be required to repay the portion of CPP for any weeks you are deemed to be ineligible.

If your eligibility changes after you completed a placement that you received the CPP for, no action is required.

NB. If you no longer meet the ‘Need to work’ and ‘Income test’ criteria but meet eligibility for the CPP based on receiving an eligible Income Support Payment, or have ‘Exceptional circumstances’, you may still be eligible for the CPP. In this case you may be asked to apply/reapply on this basis.

If you applied for the CPP based on having ‘Exceptional circumstances’ and your circumstances change before or during your placement, you will need to advise the University as soon as possible via commpracpay@adelaide.edu.au, as this may affect your eligibility and/or payment for the CPP.

If your eligibility changes after you have applied, but before you have received payment, your payment may be cancelled, or reduced to the number of weeks you are deemed to be eligible to receive the CPP.

If your eligibility changes after you have been paid the CPP, or if it isn’t feasible to cancel your payment in time, you may be required to repay the portion of CPP for any weeks you are deemed to be ineligible.

If your eligibility for Exceptional circumstances changes after you completed a placement that you received the CPP for, no action is required.

NB. If you no longer meet the ‘Exceptional circumstances’ criteria but meet eligibility for the CPP based on receiving an eligible Income Support Payment, or meeting the ‘Need to work’ and ‘Income test’ criteria, you may still be eligible for the CPP. In this case you may be asked to apply/reapply on this basis.

You should immediately contact the University via commpracpay@adelaide.edu.au to correct any information on your application. Providing false or misleading information is a serious offence, so please be diligent when submitting your application.

Yes. You can request a review under the University’s Student Complaint Resolution Process (for administrative decisions).

Complaints can be made via University’s Student Complaint Resolution Process, or if in relation to the CPP program or policy settings, directly to the Department of Education (see the complaints factsheet). If applicants or recipients do not agree with the way the Department has handled a complaint, they may complain to the Commonwealth ombudsman.

Yes. Your information will be handled in line with the Privacy Act 1988 and Australian privacy principles and may only be shared with relevant agencies or for legal reasons.

As the University is delivering the CPP on behalf of the Department of Education (the Department), under the Australian Government, the University will need to provide data and reporting to these entities; this may include applicants’ personal information, program and placement information and the content of applications and supporting documentation.

The Department may share the information about applicants with other Commonwealth entities for purposes including government administration, research or service delivery, according to Australian laws. The Department may also share the information about applicants with providers and State and Territory Governments for the purposes of administration of the CPP program.

The Australian Government may use and disclose information about applicants and recipients under this program in any other Australian Government business or function.

Further information on personal information is available at: What is personal information? | OAIC.

Yes, in 2026, the University of Adelaide will merge with the University of South Australia and become Adelaide University. Records from the University of Adelaide will be transferred to Adelaide University as Adelaide University will be required to continue to deliver the CPP program and maintain records relating to the CPP, as required by the Australian Government and Department of Education.

The Department of Education (the Department) will evaluate the CPP Program to measure how well the outcomes and objectives have been achieved. The Department may use information from applications and reports for this purpose. The Department may also interview applicants and participants or ask for more information to help determine an understanding of how the payment impacted applicants and recipients and to evaluate how effective the program was in achieving its outcomes.