Commonwealth Prac Payment, Study with us, Scholarships, Other Scholarship opportunities, La Trobe University

Amount

$338.60 per week

Opening date

03/07/2025

Closing date

31/12/2027

Status

Open

Amount conditions

A means test will apply to be eligible for this payment. Approved applicants will be paid according to the rate set for the year the placement(s) were undertaken. Placements completed in 2025 will be paid the weekly set rate of $331.65.

Who is it for?

1st year undergraduates, 2nd year undergraduates, 3rd year undergraduates, 4th year undergraduates, 5th year undergraduates, Future postgraduate coursework, Future undergraduates, Postgraduate coursework, Domestic, Humanitarian Visa (Permanent), Humanitarian Visa (Temporary)

Where is it available?

Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Online, Shepparton Campus

How is it paid?

Payment is usually made within two weeks of application approval. Upcoming placements will be paid weekly within two weeks of placement commencement. Completed or commenced placements will be paid any completed weeks in a lump sum, then payments will be weekly for the remainder of your placement.

Background

The Commonwealth Prac Payment is designed to help reduce the financial pressures associated with completing mandatory placement requirements, supporting students to continue their studies, graduate, and enter the workforce in sectors experiencing critical workforce shortages.

Currently, this program supports students in education, nursing, midwifery and social work. From 1 July 2027, the program will be expanded to include eligible allied health courses.

The Department of Education is working closely with providers and the allied health sector to finalise the details of the expansion. A full list of eligible La Trobe allied health courses will be available closer to the expansion’s introduction.

Please note that the Commonwealth Prac Payment is not retrospective. For students in teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work, the payment applies only to eligible placements undertaken on or after 1 July 2025. For allied health students, the payment will apply only to eligible placements undertaken on or after 1 July 2027. Placements completed before these dates are not eligible for Commonwealth Prac Payment support.

Are you eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:

Be enrolled in a Bachelors or Masters degree in teaching, nursing and midwifery, or social work.

Be a domestic student studying on a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Be undertaking mandatory industry placement of, on average, more than 30 hours per week for its duration (or a midwifery 'continuity of care' placement).

Be in receipt of an Income Support Payment or meet the ‘Need to work’ test determined by the Government.

Complete an application with supporting documentation.

For further information, please see the FAQ: Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) eligibility

Recipients of the scholarship shall be selected by the University based on their:

Meeting the eligibility criteria above

Submitting an application form with supporting documentation

Recipient obligations

You must notify La Trobe as soon as possible of any changes to your circumstances which may impact your eligibility to receive the CPP.

Recipients must report CPP as income to the Australian Taxation Office as part of their annual tax return. If you get an income support payment from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, you will also need to let them know you’re going to get the CPP.

How to apply

Apply online via the CPP Application Form

Applications can be made up to two months before, and six months after, the start date of your placement. Applications must be made while you are an enrolled student.

For further information on how to apply, please see the FAQ: Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) – how to apply

Who to contact for further information

Please contact the Scholarships team via ASK La Trobe.