Frequently asked questions

To be eligible for the CPP, your mandatory placement must average 30 hours or more per week. If your placement averages less than 30 hours per week, you may still be considered for this payment if exceptional circumstances apply.

You can meet the income test in one of two ways.

Income Support recipient: if you are in receipt of an Income Support Payment or allowance listed on the Services Australia website. The ABSTUDY Living Allowance and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Education Allowance are also eligible income support payments.

Need to work test: if you have been employed, working an average of more than 15 hours per week, and earning less than $1,500 per week from all income sources (before tax) over a consecutive four-week period, called the evidentiary period. This four-week period must be immediately before you apply for the CPP or immediately before your placement starts, whichever is earlier. The four weeks must fall within a study period (not during an inter-trimester break).

The evidentiary period is a four-week period before you apply or before your placement starts, whichever happens first.

During this time, you need to show:

• you worked at least 15 hours per week, and
• you earned no more than $6,000 in gross (pre-tax) income over the 4 weeks.

You will need to provide proof, such as payslips, time sheets, or invoices, to cover this 4-week period. If you cannot meet these requirements, you may not be eligible for the payment.

Exceptional circumstances are defined as circumstances which:

• are outside your control or temporary, uncommon, irregular or unusual, and
• can be corroborated through supporting documentation, and
• have a direct and significant impact on your ability to meet one or more of the eligibility requirements to receive the CPP.

In the case of your income test eligibility (either receipt of an income support payment and/or need to work test), your exceptional circumstance would apply to the evidentiary date range and the impact to your regular day to day life when undertaking their normal studies.

Exceptional circumstances fall into three categories:

1. Disability requiring reasonable adjustments.
2. Health and medical conditions (you).
3. Acute personal and family life.

Please be aware carer responsibilities are not considered an exceptional circumstance unless it is uncommon, irregular or unusual.

Exceptional circumstances applications are referred to the Department of Education for final assessment and approval. Where possible, you should submit your exceptional circumstances application at least four weeks before your placement begins to allow sufficient time for assessment. The supporting documentation you provide will be critical to the assessment. Do not repurpose documents: it is best to obtain documentation written expressly to support your application for this payment.

If you make a mistake on your application, please reply to your submission receipt email with the correct or additional information. Any updates you provide will be linked to your application and made available to the assessor.

You must email commpracpayment@deakin.edu.au if your circumstances change, including any changes to your placement dates. Please include your name, student ID, and your application reference number (typically starting with MYRI) when you contact us. If you are no longer eligible for the payment, any amount already paid must be repaid immediately.

If your circumstances change during your placement in a way that could impact your ongoing eligibility for the CPP, you must email commpracpayment@deakin.edu.au immediately.

If you are still enrolled in your course, any amount of the CPP made will be considered as an advance payment and you will receive reduced support in your next placement block. If you have withdrawn completely from your studies, you will be expected to immediately repay any amount relating to your current placement. An encumbrance will be placed on your enrolment which will limit your ability to access University services and documentation if any amount remains outstanding.

Yes. The CPP is considered taxable income. You are responsible for declaring this payment in your tax return.

Yes. If you receive a Centrelink Income Support Payment, you must report your CPP payments to Services Australia as part of your existing income reporting obligations. You should report this income as soon as you are advised your application has been approved.

Yes. The CPP is funded by the Australian Government. Your application information will be shared at a summary level with the Department of Education for both successful and unsuccessful applications. Your Centrelink reference number will not be shared. If you apply under exceptional circumstances, your full application and supporting documents will be provided to the Department of Education for assessment against the CPP exceptional circumstances criteria.

You will be asked to provide your bank account details in StudentConnect after your application has been assessed and you have been advised that you are eligible for the payment. There is no need to provide your bank account details before your application has been assessed and an outcome has been provided.

Payments will be processed fortnightly, ideally in advance of your placement start date. The timing of your payment depends on when you submit your application and when you provide your bank account details. If your application is submitted and approved before your placement begins, your first payment instalment will be made on or as close as possible to your placement start date.

Yes. The total amount of support you can receive under the CPP is limited to the minimum required placement period for entry-to-practice in your eligible field of study, as set by the relevant accrediting body. Please refer to the information regarding the maximum number of funded placement weeks. If you change to another eligible discipline (for example, from nursing to teaching), your CPP entitlement will reset for your new course.

If you need to repeat a placement, the maximum number of supported weeks under the CPP will not increase. Please refer to the approved courses and maximum eligible weeks table for more information.

The CPP currently supports students in entry-to-practice degrees in teaching, nursing, midwifery, and social work, as these courses have long placement requirements. The Australian Government acknowledges the challenges faced by students in other disciplines, but there are no current plans to expand the CPP to additional degrees at this time.