From July 2025, eligible Curtin students undertaking mandatory placements as part of their degree may be able to access the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) – an Australian Government initiative designed to ease the financial burden of placement costs.
Key facts
Who is it for?
Eligible students studying nursing, teaching, midwifery or social work.
When does it start?
The Commonwealth Prac Payment starts from 1 July 2025 and is not retrospective.
How much is it?
Get paid up to $331.65 per week during placements.
What is the Commonwealth Prac Payment?
The CPP is a means-tested payment of up to $331.65 per week available to you during mandatory, unpaid placements in teaching, nursing, midwifery or social work. The payment is designed to support you during your placement, allowing you to gain real-world experience without the added stress of lost income or increased expenses.
What can it help cover?
The CPP is designed to assist with your placement-related costs, including:
- travel and accommodation
- materials and uniforms
- general living costs.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible if you:
- complete a mandatory placement as part of a Curtin undergraduate or postgraduate course nursing, teaching, midwifery or social work
- are a domestic student
- are receiving a primary Centrelink benefit (such as Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY)
- meet the government’s ‘need to work’ test, demonstrating that you normally need to work more than 15 hours per week to support yourself.
When and how to apply
The payment will be available from 1 July 2025. Curtin is working closely with the Department of Education to develop program guidelines. In the meantime, please visit the Department of Education website for more information.