Nursing, Midwifery, Teaching and Social Work students are set to receive weekly payments during unpaid placements, under a new federal scheme designed to ease financial stress.
The Commonwealth Prac Payment, announced in the 2024-25 Budget, offers eligible students $331.65 per week while completing mandatory practicums.
Starting from July 1 2025, the payment will be available to domestic students enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the listed fields, as well as those completing a Diploma of Nursing. The weekly rate is benchmarked to the Austudy rate.
University students in Commonwealth Supported Places will receive the payment through their higher education providers, while Diploma of Nursing students at TAFEs or Registered Training Organisations will access the payment via the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
The government is investing $427.4 million over four years to deliver the initiative, which aims to reduce the financial burden on students training for careers in essential services.
