ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

Eligible programs of study are entry-to-practice Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in midwifery, nursing, social work and teaching that are accredited/approved by the relevant professional standards body.

Eligible University of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø programs include:

• Bachelor of Nursing
• Master of Clinical Nursing
• Bachelor of Teaching programs
• Bachelor of Teaching (Middle) programs
• Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) programs
• Master of Teaching
• Master of Teaching (Secondary)
• Master of Teaching (Middle and Secondary)

To be eligible to receive 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 Support Place (CSP).
• Completing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an eligible program of study that leads to entry-to-practice in teaching or nursing.
• Undertaking a mandatory practicum placement on a full-time basis as part of your qualification, that is, a minimum of 30 hours per week which are linked to the same field of education as your degree.

You must also meet one of the following criteria:

Criteria 1:

• Be receiving an eligible Commonwealth Income Support Payment.

OR

Criteria 2:

• Demonstrate a ‘Need to work’ as evidenced by having worked more than 15 hours per week (i.e.  more than 60 hours in total) during ordinary study periods, in either the 4-week period prior to applying for CPP or the 4-week period prior to your placement commencement date, whichever is earlier (‘Need to Work Test’).

and

• must not have earned more than $6,000 over the same continuous 4-week period ($1,500 per week on average, pre-tax), including amounts of scholarships or similar financial cost of living assistance from the Commonwealth, States and Territories, including payments received outside the 4-week evidentiary period. (‘Income test’).

The following payments are considered to be Income Support Payments for the purposes of CPP eligibility under Criteria 1:

Eligible students will be able to apply for the CPP for a maximum number of weeks, equivalent to the minimum weeks of placement required to achieve entry-to-practice in their discipline, as determined by the relevant accrediting body.

Whilst many programs will have placement requirements above the minimum requirement for accreditation, students will not be entitled to the CPP for additional placement weeks required to complete their program.

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.

New applications must be submitted with supporting documentation, relevant to your eligibility criteria.

If you are applying under Criteria 1 (Commonwealth Income Support Payment):

• A copy of your Centrelink Payment Details or Income Statement, obtainable through the ‘request a document’ function on Centrelink Online Services, or for DVA payments a DVA Payment Summary or General Statement of Pension.

If you are applying under Criteria 2 (Need to work and Income test):

• Evidence that you have worked more than 60 hours over a continuous 4-week period during the most recent ordinary study period prior to your application AND your gross (pre-tax) income does not exceed $6,000 over the same continuous 4-week period ($1,500 per week on average, pre-tax).
  Acceptable documents include payroll prints, time and wages sheets or payslips, a letter from your employer or, for self-employed students, client invoicing and billing information and/or sole trader timesheets.
• Evidence of any other income, including scholarships/bursaries, wages/wage subsidies and any other university or Commonwealth and State/Territory Government supports paid directly to you, including payments received outside the 4-week evidentiary period (e.g. annual/lump sum payments, or payments you expect to receive while on placement).
  NB. Payment of student contribution amounts or other student fees, supplied accommodation or any other forms of indirect/in-kind support will not be counted towards the Income testing requirements.

Applications for the CPP will be assessed, and payments made by the University of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, in accordance with guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

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Some students may have Exceptional circumstances which prevent them from meeting the CPP eligibility criteria related to placement hours or means testing, but who still require support so they can participate in their placements alongside other students.

Applications for Exceptional circumstances may be submitted to the University via the online application form. 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. Applications must include sufficient detail to assess the grounds for Exceptional circumstances and be accompanied by relevant supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificates, statutory declarations, individual access/support plan) including dates/periods affected as relevant to the placement.

If the University is satisfied that Exceptional circumstances apply, the University will forward the application for Exceptional circumstances, including supporting documentation, to the Department of Education on your behalf, for approval.

The Department should notify the University of the outcome within 5 working days of receipt. The University will then notify you of the outcome and proceed with payment, if applicable.

Exceptional circumstances that may be considered under this provision include:

• If you require reasonable adjustments for work or study (as evidenced by an individual access/support plan or medical documentation) and as a result, are unable to participate in mandatory placements for more than 30-hours per week and/or meet the ‘need to work’ test.
• If you are unable to meet the ‘need to work’ test due to circumstances beyond your control. This could include where illness, disability, or caring responsibilities have resulted in you not being able to work more than 15 hours per week on average during your normal study, despite ordinarily relying on paid employment (of less than $1,500 per week (before tax) during the same period).
• If you are in receipt of an Australian Government Income Support Payment (ISP) or worked more than 15 hours per week but are unable to provide documentation as evidence due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a natural disaster.

The following categories of students are not eligible to apply for CPP under Exceptional circumstances:

• Non-domestic students
• A student not enrolled in a CSP
• A student undertaking a placement where the course design requires fewer than
  30 hours (on average) per week
• A student whose inability to meet work or placement requirements is due to personal decisions
• A student who is unable to demonstrate that Exceptional circumstances apply through relevant supporting documentation
• A student enrolled in a discipline/program of study not currently approved under the CPP program.

Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by the University. You will be notified via email once your application has been processed.

If approved, you will be sent a secure link in which to supply your bank details for payment. The University will seek to process payment prior to the start of your placement (where possible). If you are applying late (during/after your placement), payment will be made within 30 days.

You may request a review of any decisions made on your eligibility for the CPP through the University’s Student Complaint Resolution Process (for administrative decisions).

Complaints can be made via University’s Student Complaint Resolution Process in accordance with the Student Complaint Resolution Policy, or if in relation to the CPP program or policy settings, directly to the Department of Education (see the Department’s ).

You must inform the University of any change in your circumstances that could affect your eligibility for the CPP, such as:

• changes to your program status, course enrolment or placement details (dates/hours/duration) that may affect your eligibility for the CPP.
• changes to Commonwealth Income Support Payments, where you have started or stopped receiving an Income Support Payment (eligibility under Criteria 1).
• changes to your employment status or hours of work (eligibility under Criteria 2).
• changes in personal income that would result in exceeding the gross income limits described under Criteria 2 (including increased wages, new income streams, receiving additional support from other Commonwealth and State/Territory scholarships).
• changes to your Exceptional circumstances, if you have applied on this basis.
• if you decide to withdraw your application for the CPP.
• any other changes which may have impact on your eligibility for the CPP.

NB. If your eligibility changes after you have been paid the CPP, you may be required to repay the portion of CPP for any weeks of placement you are deemed to be ineligible.

• See our frequently asked questions for further information.

The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is considered assessable income for taxation and social security purposes and may impact the rate at which a person receives a social security payment. Students are required to declare the amounts of CPP they receive to:

• The Australian Taxation Office as part of annual tax returns (recipients should seek their own taxation advice).
• Services Australia/Centrelink, to assess their ongoing rates of social security payment or other allowance, if applicable.
• Department of Veterans Affairs, if applicable.

The University will notify students in writing, at the end of each financial year, the amount of CPP they have been paid during that financial year.

Students are responsible for managing potential impacts of CPP on any Commonwealth Income Support Payments (ISP) or financial assistance from other sources.