Many degrees include the option to undertake a mandatory or elective practicum placement. For the most part, students find participation a rewarding learning experience that provides invaluable exposure to the world of work and connects classroom theory to the workplace.
But, research I recently undertook with Dr Laura de Zwaan found that participation can also be financially challenging due to the costs associated with travel, accommodation, materials and uniforms.
Many students are also unable to do the same amount of paid work while on placement, which can increase financial stress.
To thrive on placement, it is important to understand the placement requirements, as well as financial and other supports that might be available to support participation and relieve some of this financial stress.
Commonwealth Prac Payment explained
The Australian Government has introduced the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) program, which helps students to cover some of the costs associated with mandatory placements for nursing, midwifery, social work and teaching degrees, including those taught at UniSC.
The CPP comes into effect from 1 July 2025. The details are still being ironed out but the tertiary education sector is working with the Government to develop appropriate guidelines for the scheme.
What we do know is that payment is not retrospective, so cannot be applied to previous placements.
The payment of $319.50 per week of placement will also be means tested, classed as taxable income, and benchmarked to the single Austudy rate.
Only domestic students are eligible to apply for this payment and they must be receiving a primary Centrelink benefit or meet the ‘Need to work’ test determined by the Government. Students will be required to apply for the payment before starting their placement and provide supporting documentation.
The CPP will be available alongside other existing state and territory initiatives, and we’re expecting to receive more details closer to the applications opening.
Additional teaching and education placement payments
Professional experience placements are a mandatory part of teaching qualifications, which are designed to improve participants’ teaching competence and confidence.
However, research has shown that education students can experience financial stress on placement – particularly when they have to travel to undertake their placement.
The Queensland Government provides grants to support students undertaking a professional experience placement in a regional, rural or remote Queensland state school.
Some education students may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in financial support (dependant on the location and length of the placement) through the Regional Professional Experience Grant and Beyond the Range Professional Experience Grant programs.
The Queensland Government has also introduced the Teach Queensland Prac Placement Grant, which supports preservice teachers to complete their teaching qualification by providing them with a $5,000 grant to assist with expenses associated with placement.
Students completing their final professional experience placement in any Queensland state school, which lasts for a minimum of 15 consecutive days, are eligible to apply for payment.
While students undertaking placements in a Queensland non-state school, including Catholic and independent or private schools, are not eligible for these grants.
International students who currently reside in Australia and have permission under a Commonwealth Law to study in Australia may be eligible to apply.
Students planning to undertake their final placement in 2025 or 2026 in a Queensland state school can subscribe to be notified when the next round of grants are open.
Additional nursing and midwifery placement payments
Placements are an integral part of developing the skills required to become a competent and qualified nurse.
Research has shown that nursing students can experience financial stress on placement due to its intensive nature and timeframes.
The Queensland Government has a grants program to support nursing and midwifery students – the Nursing and Midwifery Regional, Rural and Remote Student Placement Allowance, which targets students completing their final stage or year placement in a Queensland Health regional, rural or remote facility.
These students may be eligible to apply for a cost-of-living allowance of up to $5,000.
In September last year the Queensland Government removed the requirement to live a minimum of 100km away from the placement location.
Eligibility is restricted to Queensland residents, including international students for the purpose of study, and the placement must be a minimum of four consecutive weeks or longer.
This allowance can only be received once.
Other support
If you are experiencing immediate financial hardship, the Student Guild has an emergency food bank and can help with access to pantry items, toiletries and frozen meals. The Student Guild Welfare Office can also help with budgeting.
UniSC also offers a variety of scholarship and bursaries, including for students who may be experiencing financial hardship or those who are undertaking a work placement.
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