Scholarship

Commonwealth Prac Payment

Application is required. Check eligibility

Key scholarship details

Application status

Open for applications

Applications open

1 Jul 2025

Applications close

31 Dec 2025

Benefit amount

Up to $8,600

Eligible study level

Graduate coursework

Eligible student type

Domestic students

Eligible study stage

Current study

Benefit duration

One-off

Summary

The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is provided by the Australian Government to assist students with undertaking a mandatory placement (also known as a practicum) as part of a higher education course in teaching, nursing and midwifery, and social work.

The University of Melbourne is an eligible higher education provider to deliver this payment.

Benefits

The CPP provides an allowance of $331.65 per week and is available for a limited number of weeks. The maximum number of weeks you are entitled to is determined by your course and placement subjects.

The CPP is paid as a one-off allowance for each placement subject (in advance where possible). If you withdraw from your course after you have received the payment, you must return the payment for the amount equivalent to the period of placement not undertaken.

Only placement weeks undertaken after 1 July 2025 can be considered. For students undertaking their final semester of study in 2025, the number of funded weeks may be adjusted to reflect the number of placement weeks undertaken after 1 July 2025.

Master of Nursing Science

Funded weeks: 20^

Subjects Funded weeksPayment
Foundation of Nursing Practice 10 weeks $3316.50
Transition to Nursing Practice 10 weeks $3316.50
Master of Social Work

Funded weeks: 26^

Subjects Funded weeksPayment
Supervised Field Placement 1 (Part A and B) 13 weeks $4311.45
Supervised Field Placement 2 (Part A and B) 13 weeks $4311.45
Master of Teaching

Funded weeks: 12^

Subjects Funded weeksPayment
Engaging and Assessing Learners 1 and 2 (combined) 8 weeks $2653.20
Engaging and Assessing Learners 3 4 weeks $1326.60

^ The maximum number of funded weeks is linked to the minimum period of placement required by the relevant accrediting body to achieve entry-to-practice in your discipline.

Amount:

Up to $8,600

Duration:

One-off

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen
  • Be enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place in the Master of Nursing Science, Master of Social Work or Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) (Early Childhood and Primary) (Primary) (Secondary)1
  • Intend to undertake a mandatory placement as part of your course
  • Be in receipt of Australian Government Income Support Payments, or be able to meet the Need to Work and Income tests

To meet the Need to Work and Income tests, you must demonstrate that you worked at least 60 hours and earned no more than $6000 (before tax) during the four-week period prior to submitting your application or starting your placement.

If you normally are employed, but were unable to work 60 hours during the four-week period due to exceptional circumstances, you must provide documentation as evidence that these circumstances were unforeseen and beyond your control.

1 Excluding the Master of Teaching (Secondary) Internship

Selection criteria

The CPP is guaranteed to all eligible students.

Conditions

The Commonwealth Prac Payment is subject to the following conditions:

  • You must undertake the placement for which the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) has been approved.
  • If you postpone the placement after you have received the Payment, you can retain the Payment until you start or resume your placement.
  • If you withdraw from your course after you have received the Payment, you must return the Payment for the amount equivalent to the period of placement not undertaken.

Study level:

Graduate coursework

Student type:

Domestic students

Study stage type:

Current study

Study area:

Education; Health

Need help understanding the process?

Visit our scholarship guide

Application

How to apply

Applications will open by 1 July 2025.

Submit an application

Status:

Open for applications

Applications open:

1 Jul 2025

Applications close:

31 Dec 2025

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.

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