Commonwealth Prac Payment

Get paid during your placement

The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is funded by the Australian Government to help students cover the costs of mandatory placements in certain higher education courses. If you're enrolled in specific Melbourne Polytechnic courses, you may be eligible to receive financial support while completing your placement.

From 1 July 2025 eligible domestic students studying the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or the Bachelor of Education (Early Years and Primary) may be able to receive the CPP.

The payment will be means-tested to target students who need it most and will be available for up to 16 weeks of placement across your course.

The CPP is considered assessable income. This means that you must report the payments to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and Services Australia and Department of Veterans Affairs (if applicable).

Commonwealth Prac Payment eligibility

To be eligible, you must be:

• a domestic student
• enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
• completing the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or Bachelor of Education (Early Years and Primary)
• undertaking a mandatory placement averaging 30+ hours per week
• in receipt of a Commonwealth income support payment (e.g. Austudy, Youth Allowance, DVA Education Allowance) or ABSTUDY 

OR

• provide evidence of working on average 15+ hours per week over a 4-week period during your normal study (outside placement) either in the four weeks prior to applying for CPP or the four weeks prior to commencing placement, whichever is earlier.
• earn no more than $1500 per week (before tax) during the same period.

Visit the Commonwealth Prac Payment website to find out more about eligibility for CPP.