Commonwealth Prac Payment

Enrolment

• be a domestic student (full time or part time)
• be enrolled in a subject of study in an eligible Bachelor or Masters course that leads to entry-to-practice in teaching, social work, nursing or midwifery*
• be enrolled in, or expected to be enrolled, in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)

AND EITHER

• be required by your course to participate in mandatory placements for an average of 30 hours or more per week**

OR

• be required as part of your course in midwifery to participate in a continuity of care placement

Notes:

*If you enrolled in an eligible subject during 2025, you can receive the payment for any placement weeks that occur on or after 1 July 2025 — whether that's part of your placement or the full duration. All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that they meet the Department of Education's eligibility requirements. Subjects enrolled in prior to 2025 are not eligible.

**Placement hours that occur prior to 1 July 2025, will not be considered toward the 30-hour-per-week requirement for CPP eligibility. However, for students who have a placement that includes the week of 30 June 2025, if they complete at least 30 placement hours during the period from 1 July 2025, they may be eligible for payment in that week, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.

Eligible Programs and Subjects

Teaching

Bachelor of Education (Primary) (1876)
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (1939)
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) (1926)
Master of Teaching (Primary) (1781)
Master of Teaching (Secondary) (1714)
Master of Teaching (Secondary) STEM (1848)
Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary) (1773)
Master of Teaching (Birth - 5 Years/Birth - 12 Years) (1783)
Master of Teaching (Birth - 5 Years) (1784)
Bachelor of Education (Primary) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education (1717)

Nursing & Midwifery

Bachelor of Nursing (4691)
Bachelor of Nursing WSU Online ( 4780 )
Bachelor of Midwifery (4684)
Master of Nursing Practice (Preregistration) (4785)

Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (1666)
Master of Social Work (Qualifying) (1792)

Eligible Subjects

Eligible Subjects can be viewed here

Financial Need

• be currently receiving an eligible Commonwealth Government Income Support Payment (ISP). You will be asked to select the ISP from which you receive the highest payment. Documentation to verify income support payments can be requested from Services Australia.

_{Refer to the table below for eligible Australian Government Income Support Payment (ISP)s.}

OR

• meet a Need to Work Test and an Income Test where you provide evidence of working an average 15+ hours per week over a 4-week period during your normal study (outside placement), with an individual income threshold of $1500 per week (before tax), including income from State, Territory or Commonwealth scholarships during the same period

Eligible Australian Government Income Support Payments (ISP)

• Centrelink income support payments:

  • Age Pension
  • Austudy
  • Carer Payment
  • Disability Support Pension
  • JobSeeker Payment
  • Parenting Payment
  • Special Benefit
  • Farm Household Allowance
  • Youth Allowance

• DVA payments:

  • Age Pension
  • Income Support Supplement
  • Service Pension
  • Veteran Payment
  • Education Allowance

• ABSTUDY

  • ABSTUDY Living Allowance

Exceptional Circumstances

Information on Exceptional Circumstances and supporting documentation/evidence requirements can be found here.

If you are completing a Statutory Declaration (as supporting documentation) in that declaration please describe your exceptional circumstances, how they impacted your eligibility and any ongoing implications. You might also want to consider uploading additional supporting documentation such as medical certificates, statements of support (from registered service providers) or other documentation provided by an independent organisation.

Supporting Documentation

Income Support Payments (ISP)

If you receive an ISP, you’ll need to attach one of the following to your application:

• for an ISP from Centrelink – your Centrelink Payment Details or Income Statement demonstrating your current eligibility, which you can download from Centrelink online services via your myGov account (find out more about logging in to myGov)
• for an ISP from Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) – your DVA Payment Summary or a General Statement of Pension.

Please review the Income Support Payments - Supporting Documentation Guide

‘Need to Work Test’ and ‘Income Test’

If demonstrating that you meet requirements of the ‘Need to Work’ and ‘Income Test', you’ll need to attach evidence that covers either in the four weeks prior to applying for CPP or the four weeks prior to placement. Evidence can include:

• payroll prints
• time and wages sheets or payslips
• a letter from your employer
• for self-employed students, client invoicing and billing information and/or sole trader timesheets.

What your documents should contain?

Payroll prints, time and wages sheets or payslips

These should include:

• your employer’s identity (such as their name, ABN, company logo)
• your full name
• pay period
• income (before tax).

A letter from your employer

An official letter from an appropriate representative of your employer should include:

• your full name
• your employer’s letterhead
• a physical signature and phone number of an appropriate representative
• the date the letter was created
• pay period
• income (before tax).

Client invoicing and billing information

These should include:

• your full name
• date the invoice was issued
• brief description of the goods or services
• amount that was paid.

Sole trader timesheets

These should include:

• your full name
• a record of hours worked on tasks or projects
• the time period covered

If your timesheet does not include the gross income earnt, you’ll need to provide other documents showing this amount.

Duration of Payment

• Payments will be made for the duration of the confirmed, eligible placement period, subject to the students continued eligibility and compliance with the conditions outlined below.

  Maximum number of weeks CPP available

  table-container(border-bottom, no-header, dynamic-width)
  Course name and level	Placement requirement (weeks, rounded)
  Nursing (Bachelor)	20
  Nursing (Masters)	20
  Midwifery (Bachelor)	20 + 6 continuity of care
  Midwifery (Masters)	20 + 6 continuity of care
  Teacher Education (Bachelor)	16
  Teacher Education (Masters)	12
  Social Work (Bachelor)	26
  Social Work (Masters)	26

Receiving the Payment

• Payments will be processed through Weel’s virtual card platform.
• Students will need to activate their card and comply with Weel’s verification processes.
• Payments will be set up by the University as recurring weekly payments for the duration of the placement.
• Payments may be paused or stopped if eligibility changes, as outlined below.

Termination or Suspension of Payments

The University may suspend or terminate payments where:

1. The recipient withdraws or defers from their subject or placement.
2. The recipient no longer meets eligibility requirements.
3. The placement is no longer confirmed in InPlace.
4. The recipient is suspended or excluded from the University for misconduct.

Where payments are stopped, the recipient will be notified in writing. In some cases, recipients may be required to repay funds already received if they were no longer eligible to receive them.

How do the Weel payments work?

Once approved for CPP , your placement is confirmed, your placement date is reached, and you activate your Weel account you will receive support payments of $331.65 each week for the duration of your placement.

How soon will I receive the money on my Weel card?

If you are eligible for CPP support you will receive an email confirmation. We then complete a final check of your placement details using InPlace. Once that confirmation is received and your placement start date has been reached, we invite you onto the Weel account and you ‘activate’ your account. Within 24 hours you will receive $331.65 (the first weekly payment) into your Weel budget.

I’ve started placement but have not received an invitation to the Weel account

The invitation will land in your student email (you might want to check your junk folder just in case). If you do not receive the invitation a week after starting placement please email scholarships@westernsydney.edu.au

I started placement before I received my Weel debit card, will I receive back payments?

If you are eligible for CPP, you will receive $331.65 each week of your placement. For example, if your subject requires a 4-week placement, you will receive 4 weekly payments of $331.65. Payments will begin once your Weel debit card is activated and continue for the duration of your required placement.

What if my placement is shorter or longer than 4 weeks?

You will receive $331.65 for each full week of your required placement, based on your subject. If your placement is longer or shorter than 4 weeks, your payments will match the length of placement required.

Can I request additional funds/budget on my Weel debit card?

No. The weekly payment of $331.65 is a legislated amount. Western has no authority to increase payments.

If I spend money on my personal card, can I request a reimbursement?

No. We encourage you to use your Weel debit card for all purchases. The Weel user guide explains how to use your virtual card.

Can I transfer my Weel balance to my bank account?

No. Western is distributing CPP support via Weel debit card.

What can I spend the money on?

Almost anything! You can use your Weel debit card for almost all purchases you might need (the only exception so far is vehicle rental!)

Why is Western using Weel?

In Semester 2 over 5,000 Western students will be undertaking placement. Many students will be eligible for CPP support. Weel has been evaluated as the most effective way of ensuring students receive the support quickly and efficiently.

Does Western use Weel for other kinds of support?

Yes! The Solar Car Team are using Weel during their 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Textbook and financial support is also distributed via a Weel debit card.

How long will my Weel debit card be active?

For at least 1 month after your placement ends. After your placement ends, we will reach out to you to remind you that your card will be closing soon. Please be sure to use all the funds on your card as soon as possible after your placement ends.

What happens if I still have funds available on my card at the end of placement?

We will reach out to you soon after placement ends reminding you to use the funds. If you still have funds available, we will reach out and provide options before the card is deactivated.

Can I withdraw cash from my Weel debit card?

No, you cannot withdraw cash from your Weel debit card. Virtual debit cards are designed for online or in-app purchases only.

Why do I have two budgets on my Weel debit card?

If you have two active placements with overlapping dates, you will see two budgets linked to your Weel debit card. Both budgets are available for use, and you can spend from either one at any time.

Reporting Obligations

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. Recipients 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, to assess their ongoing rates of social security payment or other allowance, if applicable
• Department of Veterans Affairs, if applicable

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

Appeals

Students may appeal a decision relating to their CPP eligibility or payment in accordance with the University’s appeal process for CPP decisions. Appeals must be lodged within 10 working days of notification of the decision.

Appeals must be sent to scholarships@westernsydney.edu.au

Dispute Resolution

Where a dispute arises regarding the administration of the CPP, a student may submit a case in writing to the University’s Complaints Resolution Unit.

What if my placement is delayed or undertaken at a different time?

If your placement is delayed or you are required to undertake it at a different time than it was originally scheduled, you will need to submit your application at least two weeks prior to the start date of your placement. If you have already applied, don't worry - we will still assess your application. If you are eligible, payments will not begin until your placement is confirmed in InPlace and the start date of the placement has been reached.

What if I am studying part-time?

The CPP is available to full-time and part-time students; however, students must be able to meet the eligibility criteria for placement: that is, (a) placement for an average of 30 hours per week, or (b) completing a continuity of care placement.

What if I am undertaking a part-time placement?

To be eligible for the CPP, students are required to be undertaking a placement on a full-time basis, that is, an average of 30 hours or more per week for the duration of the placement.

What if my circumstances change during my placement?

If there are any changes to your circumstances throughout your studies that may impact your eligibility, you must notify the university as soon as practical.

What if I need to defer my placement?

If you need to defer your placement for any reason, you may retain the amount paid for the current placement, pending completion of the deferred placement. If you do not complete the placement, you will need to return to the University any money paid to you for the uncompleted component of the placement.

What if I withdraw from my program?

If you withdraw from your program and have received the CPP, and you have not completed your placement, you must notify the university and will be required to return the payment for the equivalent period of placement that was not undertaken. The University will provide details of the repayment process.

What if I change my mind and move to an alternative course that offers the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)?

If you withdraw from your program and enrol into another discipline that is approved for the CPP (e.g. from teaching to nursing), your entitlements will reset – that is, the maximum number of weeks of CPP you can receive will be the maximum available for your new program. You will be required to submit a new application.

What if I fail my placement?

If you fail a placement and are required to retake or repeat it, you will not be eligible for additional CPP for the extra weeks. However, if you are retaking your placement within the CPP week maximum for your eligible course, you may apply for CPP.

Will the University report my CPP payments to the Australian Taxation Office, Services Australia, Centrelink, or other sources of financial assistance I receive?

No. CPP recipients are responsible for reporting CPP payments and managing potential impacts of CPP on any Commonwealth Income Support Payments (ISP) or financial assistance from other sources.

The University will notify recipients in writing, at the end of each financial year, the amount of CPP a recipient has been paid during that financial year. The notification will include the student’s full name, date of birth, address and total amount of CPP paid.

Do I need to apply for the CPP each teaching session?

To remain eligible for CPP, recipients should complete a confirmation of ongoing eligibility at the beginning of each relevant placement.

A new complete application is not required each teaching session; however, students will need to submit a declaration confirming their circumstances have not changed prior to the next teaching session they are enrolled in an eligible subject.

Do I need to provide details of other financial support I receive, such as scholarships?

Income from all sources needs to be considered when assessing eligibility against the income testing requirements. This includes scholarships/bursaries, wages/wage subsidies and any other university or Commonwealth and State/Territory Government supports which are paid directly to you, including payments received outside the 4-week evidentiary period. You will need to declare this income as part of the application process.

If you receive a relevant annual/lump sum scholarship/bursary from the Commonwealth and/or a State/Territory government to support your studies, the total value of the scholarship will be converted to a weekly amount and will be considered as part of the income threshold for the purpose of assessing eligibility.

If you expect to receive financial support from the Commonwealth or a State/Territory Government specifically while on placement, this support must also be converted to a weekly amount and included as part of the Income Test. If you receive multiple payments throughout the year, they should each be declared and converted to an annual rate and considered for the Income Test.

What is the maximum number of weeks of CPP I can receive under this program?

table-container(border-bottom, no-header, dynamic-width)
Course name and level	Placement requirement (weeks, rounded)
Nursing (Bachelor)	20
Nursing (Masters)	20
Midwifery (Bachelor)	20 + 6 continuity of care
Midwifery (Masters)	20 + 6 continuity of care
Teacher Education (Bachelor)	16
Teacher Education (Masters)	12
Social Work (Bachelor)	26
Social Work (Masters)	26

What are my reporting obligations?

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. Recipients 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, to assess their ongoing rates of social security payment or other allowance, if applicable
• Department of Veterans Affairs, if applicable

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