The Australian Government is launching a new financial aid program called the Commonwealth Practical Payment (CPP). This program is designed to help students cover some of the costs associated with mandatory placements, or practicums, required for their higher education courses, who might otherwise delay or quit their studies due to the financial impact of placements.
How does the Commonwealth Prac Payment work?
Starting from July 2025, if you are undertaking mandatory placement as part of a teaching, nursing and midwifery, or social work degree, and meet the eligibility criteria, you will be able to access $319.50 per week for the duration of your placement.
The Commonwealth Practical Payment will match the single Austudy rate and will be allocated based on a means test, ensuring that the funds go to the students who need them the most.
Please visit the if you would like more information on the Commonwealth Prac Payment.
Please visit the if you would like more information on the Commonwealth Prac Payment.
Additional state-based grants
The Queensland Government offers a number of other grants for students undertaking professional experience placements.
- The offers eligible education students up to $3,400 to assist with organising placement-related travel expenses.
- The offers eligible education students the opportunity to receive up to $5,000 to assist with organising placement-related travel expenses.
- The offers preservice teachers a $5,000 grant to assist with expenses associated with completing their final professional experience placement in any Queensland state school.
- The is offered to students working in regional, rural or remote areas. The allowance offers a $5,000 one-off allowance to eligible nursing and midwifery students.
Placement at UniSQ
You can find placement resources for Health, Engineering and Sciences placements and Education placements on our website.