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We've compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) relating to the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP).
Eligible students will be able to receive up to $331.65 per week during the eligible placement period.
The CPP aims to help students most in need of support and those who are most financially disadvantaged due to limitations on their ability to undertake paid work during placement.
The CPP is paid at a weekly rate which is benchmarked to the single Austudy rate. Eligible students will be paid by UTS on a fortnightly basis.
No. The CPP is not a wage or wage subsidy. It’s a cost-of-living support to help alleviate financial costs associated with undertaking a mandatory placement.
The length of your CPP is linked to the minimum period of placement to achieve entry-to-practice in your field of study, as set out by your relevant accrediting body:
If you’re studying a Bachelor of Teacher Education, you can receive a CPP for a maximum of 16 weeks
If you’re studying a Masters of Teacher Education, you can receive a CPP for a maximum of 12 weeks
If you’re studying Bachelor of Nursing, you can receive a CPP for a maximum of 20 weeks
If you’re studying a Bachelor of Midwifery, you can receive a CPP for a maximum of 20 weeks + 6 weeks for continuity of care
The CPP is capped at the minimum period of placement to achieve entry-to-practice in your field of study. If you fail a placement and are required to retake or repeat it, you can apply for CPP again until the cap has been reached. However, once you reach this cap, you won’t be eligible for additional CPP for any extra weeks of your placement.
No, the CPP is only available for eligible domestic CSP students.
If you transfer to a new course that still uses CPP (i.e. transfer from nursing to teaching), your CPP entitlement will reset and you can apply for the full amount of CPP support for the placement requirements of your new discipline of study.
If you transfer to the same course through a different higher education provider (i.e. from nursing at UTS to nursing at another university), your CPP entitlement will reset and you can apply for the full amount of CPP support for the placement requirements at your new higher education provider.
If your placement is deferred for any reason (e.g. placement provider cancellation or withdrawal due to illness), you may retain the amount already received. Further payments will be withheld until you have undertaken an eligible placement equivalent to the amount retained.
If you withdraw from your course, you’ll become ineligible for the portion of CPP for any weeks of placement you didn’t complete.
Yes. The CPP is considered taxable income and you need to declare the CPP you receive to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as part of your annual tax return. You’ll receive a statement at the end of the financial year to assist you in reporting this to the ATO.
Recipients are responsible for seeking independent financial or tax advice if needed.
If you receive an income support payment (ISP), you need to declare the amount of CPP you receive to Services Australia. You should tell them that you're going to get the CPP as soon as you know the dates of your placement.
At the end of each financial year, UTS will notify you how much of the CPP you were paid during that financial year.
This payment will be available alongside other state and territory initiatives.
Yes. You may apply for CPP if you are a part-time student who meets the criteria and is undertaking mandatory placements.
No. The CPP is capped at the minimum period of placement required to achieve entry-to-practice. You will not be entitled to the CPP for additional placement weeks required to complete your program.