Access financial assistance while on placement
From July 2025, eligible domestic nursing, midwifery, social work and teaching students can receive the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) of $331.65 a week to help manage cost-of-living pressures while on mandatory placement.
Here you can find out more about the CPP, see if you're eligible for the payment and access related support.
Key points
Targeted support
The CPP provides financial support from the 色情网站n Government for eligible students completing mandatory placements.
Eligibility
The CPP is available to domestic Commonwealth supported students studying to become, nurses, midwives, social workers or teachers.
Amount
Eligible students can receive up to $331.65 per week during placement to support living expenses while gaining vital experience.
Commonwealth Prac Payment details
You may be eligible for the CPP if you meet all of the following:
鉁旓笍 You're a domestic student.
鉁旓笍 You're enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
鉁旓笍 You're studying one of the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Education (1567)
- Bachelor of Midwifery (1354)
- Bachelor of Nursing (1162)
- Bachelor of Nursing/Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing (3347)
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) (1416)
- Master of Social Work (5758)
- Master of Primary Teaching (5587)
- Master of Secondary Teaching (5700)
鉁旓笍 You're undertaking a confirmed 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., Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY)
Or
Option 2: You meet the 'Need to Work' criteria:
- You’ve worked at least 60 hours over a continuous four-week period in your most recent study term.
- Your gross income during that period did not exceed $1,500 per week gross (i.e., $6,000 total).
Exceptional circumstances
If you do not meet the above eligibility criteria for the CPP, but believe you may qualify under exceptional circumstances (e.g. health or medical condition, acute personal or family event, or an episodic or ongoing disability), please email CPPexceptions-enquiries@griffith.edu.au
Things to know before you apply
You’ll apply for the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) through the official , which is an external site not managed by Griffith.
- Applications open two weeks before your placement start date—you won’t be able to apply before then.
- You’ll need to upload documents that show you’re eligible for the CPP. This might include:
- proof of income-support payments (e.g. Austudy)
- evidence that you’ve worked 15+ hours per week (at least 60 hours total) over a continuous four-week period in your most recent study term.
How to apply
Step 1: Create your CPP Student Portal account
Start your application two weeks before your placement begins—your details won’t appear in the portal before then.
- Go to the
- Select Griffith University from the drop-down list.
- Enter your Griffith student email address.
- Check your inbox for a one-time password.
- Use that password to log in and activate your CPP Student Portal account.
Need help? Click the chatbot icon in the bottom-right corner of the portal to log your issue. A CPP representative will get in touch.
Step 2: Submit your application
Once your account is active you’ll see CPP Status: Open.
- Click Apply Now
- Select Start application.
- In the About You section, enter a non-Griffith email and phone number.
- In Placement Details, review your information.
- Choose your Financial Eligibility Payment type and upload your supporting documents.
- Add your electronic signature, tick the Declare and Submit boxes, and hit Submit.
What happens next?
You’ll receive an email within 24 hours with one of the following outcomes:
- Accepted (Provisionally)—Your application is in, but your placement start date hasn’t been confirmed yet.
- Approved—Your application has been accepted and you are approved for the CPP. If you haven’t already, log back into the portal to enter your banking details (BSB and account number).
- Declined—Your application wasn’t successful. You’ll receive information about how to apply under exceptional circumstances.
When you'll be paid
Payments are issued the Wednesday after approval, but please allow up to two weeks for the money to appear in your bank account.
If eligible, you may receive the CPP for the minimum required placement period of your degree.
Degree | Maximum support duration |
---|---|
Nursing (bachelor or masters) | Up to 20 weeks |
Midwifery (bachelor or masters) | Up to 26 weeks |
Teaching (bachelor) | Up to 16 weeks |
Teaching (masters) | Up to 12 weeks |
Social work (bachelor or masters) | Up to 26 weeks |
Keep in mind:
- The CPP is taxable income and must be declared in your tax return.
- Receiving CPP may affect other Centrelink payments. You must declare the payment to Services 色情网站.
- 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 Student Portal team know if anything changes that could affect your eligibility.
Further details
See the Department of Education's website for further details about the Commonwealth Prac Payment.
Further information and support
Other financial help
The Commonwealth Prac Payment is just one type of financial assistance students can access while on practical placement.
Teaching placements
If you're an education student embarking on teaching prac, the teaching professional experience placement site provides a plethora of helpful resources.
Health placements
If you're a health student undertaking work placement, the Health Placement Support Hub provides a range of program-specific information and support.
Other opportunities
For more information on other types of program-related work placements, experiences and opportunities, see the work-integrated learning site.