Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)

The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is a new initiative from the Australian Government, which commenced on the 1^st of July 2025, to support students in specific programs undertaking unpaid, mandatory placements. If you're eligible, you’ll receive a weekly payment for the duration of your placement - helping you stay focused on learning without worrying as much about how to make ends meet.

If you're studying nursing, midwifery, teaching, or social work, the CPP helps ease the pressure during your mandatory full-time placements. Eligible students can receive $338.60 per week (2026 rate) to help with living expenses while you're gaining essential experience in the field.

For more information about CPP, download our FAQ document.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for the CPP if you meet all of the following:

• You're a domestic student
• You're enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
• You're studying a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
  • Nursing
  • Teaching
  • Midwifery
  • Social Work
• You're undertaking a full-time placement (at least 30 hours per week) or a continuity of care placement if you are a midwifery student

AND one of the following applies to you:

• Option 1 – You receive a Commonwealth Income Support Payment
  (e.g., Age Pension, Austudy, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, JobSeeker Payment, Parenting Payment, Special Benefit, Farm Household Allowance, Youth Allowance, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Payments, Age Pension, Income Support Supplement, Service Pension)

OR

• Option 2 – You meet the “Need to Work” criteria
  • You’ve worked at least 60 hours over a continuous 4-week period in your most recent study term
  • Your gross income during that period did not exceed $1,536.37/week (2026) or $6,145.48 gross (2026)

How to apply

Applying is easy - just follow the steps and familiarise yourself with the notes below.

Application process

1. Complete the application form
   1. Use your Notre Dame University student email address. It should look like studentID@my.nd.edu.au. 
      Note: It is important that you use your Student ID number email address, not your first name and last name email address.
2. Prepare your documents
   1. If you're on Income Support: Centrelink Payment Summary or Income Statement
   2. If you're applying under the “Need to Work” test:
      1. Payslips showing at least 60 hours worked in 4 weeks
      2. Proof of income (showing you earned less than $1,536.37/week 2026)
3. Submit your application
   1. Apply at least 4 weeks before your placement starts, when possible.
4. Check your email for updates
   1. You’ll receive updates on your application status via your student email.
   2. Students should ensure that they do not block any emails from HES.

Important notes

• CPP is taxable income - it must be declared in your tax return
• Receiving CPP may affect other Centrelink payments - you must declare it to Services Australia
• If you withdraw from your course, you’ll need to repay any CPP received for uncompleted placement weeks
• Keep your information up to date - let the CPP My Student Portal team know if anything changes that could affect your eligibility

How long can you receive CPP?

CPP is available for the minimum required placement period for your degree, up to a maximum support duration.

Contact us

If you have questions about your application or eligibility for the Commonwealth Prac Payment, a member of our team is here to help. Please contact commonwealthplacementpayment@nd.edu.au. Please include your full name, Student ID, School (such as Education, Nursing, Social Work) and Campus (such as Freemantle, Sydney, Broome), placement organisation name and the placement dates that you are enquiring about.

Disclaimer

Providing false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code Act 1995. Any such information may be investigated and could result in your application being excluded from further consideration.

The Department of Education may review CPP-related records at any time. This may include:

• your submitted CPP application form, including any claims of exceptional circumstances
• supporting documents used to confirm eligibility (e.g. payslips or evidence of receiving an Income Support Payment)
• documentation verifying completion of your placement

We are required to retain these records for a minimum period of seven years.

Application support

The CPP Application Portal is provided by HES (Higher Education Services). If you have questions about the status of your application, denials, payments, or requests to resubmit, please contact HES support at cppsupport@hes.edu.au.

To support your request, please include the following details in your email:

• Application ID
• Placement ID
• Student ID
• Student Email (studentID@my.nd.edu.au)

Our CPP Support team often collaborate with HES to support your request. Please CC them in your email to assist at commonwealthplacementpayment@nd.edu.au.