Frequently Asked Questions
Application process
When should I apply?
We are currently prioritised students who are currently on placement or have a placement commencing within 2 weeks. If you have a confirmed upcoming placement and eligibility criteria are met, we will send you an email inviting you to apply for CPP from the MyCPP system.
Do I need to submit an application for every placement?
Yes. You must submit a separate application for each placement you wish to be considered for the CPP.
Do periods of leave count towards the Need to Work Test?
Payslips showing paid leave (e.g. parental, annual, or personal leave at full or half pay) during the 4-week evidentiary period are valid evidence for the Need to Work and Income tests, as they reflect regular work hours and pay. Unpaid leave is not eligible.
I am self-employed, what documents should I provide if applying based on Income Test/Need to work Test?
For sole traders or self employed students, acceptable evidence/documents must show 4 continuous weeks of gross income and can include:
- sole trader timesheets/payslips
- client invoicing and billing information
- a copy of your ABN information
Note:
- For assessment, the income test should be the amount of income remaining after deducting business expenses.
- All documents must include: your name, dates, hours of work, business name and gross income (preferably in pdf format).
I have split placements for one of my units, do I need to reapply for each placement?
We’re aware that some Nursing and Teaching units are often split into two or more placements.
You do not need to reapply for each split placement if you have already been assessed and approved for CPP for that unit.
Your CPP payments will be made in line with your placement dates. When your next placement is scheduled, you’ll receive the remaining CPP allocation for that unit.
Eligibility
I commenced an eligible placement unit prior to 1 July 2025. Am I eligible for a CPP?
The CPP program begins on 1 July 2025, and is not retrospective. This means you will not be paid for any eligible placement unit hours completed before 1 July 2025.
If your placement began before 1 July 2025, and continues afterwards, you will get paid for the portion that is happening after 1 July 2025. The scholarships team will provide a payment schedule if you are deemed eligible to show your eligible payments.
How much CPP would I be eligible for?
CPP provides $331.65 per week. The maximum period CPP can be awarded is as below:
| Course name | Maximum period of CPP |
|---|---|
| 20 weeks of placement |
| 26 weeks of placement |
| 24 weeks of placement + 2 weeks of Continuity of Care |
| 16 weeks of placement |
| 26 weeks of placement |
| 12 weeks of placement |
| 24 weeks of placement |
| 20 weeks of placement |
Changes and your obligations
What happens if I made a mistake or forgot to include important details on my application?
If you make a mistake on your application, please email scholarships@cdu.edu.au with the correct or additional information. Any updates you provide will be linked to your application and made available to the assessor.
What happens if I withdraw or can't complete my current placement?
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.
What happens if my circumstances change when I am on placement?
If your circumstances change during your placement in a way that could impact your ongoing eligibility for the CPP, you must email scholarships@cdu.edu.au
Do I need to report my CPP payment to the Government?
If you get an income support payment from Services Australia, you must tell them you’re going to get CPP. You should do this as soon as you know the dates of your placement. Visit Services Australia to learn more.
You will also need to declare CPP to the Australian Taxation Office as part of your annual tax return and CPP is considered taxable income.
Payments
How will my CPP be paid?
Each week of placement is valued at $331.65*, and your total entitlement depends on the number of weeks allocated to your placement unit.
Payment Schedule
Scholarship payments are paid fortnightly in advance on Thursdays by the University Finance team. This means you will receive your scholarship money either the week you commence your placement, or the week before your placement period begins, depending on when your start date falls in the pay schedule.
Example scenarios
- Student 1 is commencing their placement EPE111 on 1 December 2025 – EPE111 is eligible for 4 weeks of $331.65. They will be paid 2 weeks’ worth on 4 December 2025 and 2 weeks' worth on 18 December 2025.
- Student 2 is commencing their placement NUR134 on 8 December 2025 – NUR134 is eligible for 4 weeks of $331.65. They will be paid 1 week’s worth on 4 December 2025 (the week in advance of the placement start date), 3 weeks' worth on 18 December 2025.
A full table of pay dates is available to show exactly when you can expect your CPP payment to begin:
Payment date | Covers placements starting |
09 October 2025 | Placements commencing from 6 October 2025 to 19 October 2025 |
23 October 2025 | Placements commencing from 20 October 2025 to 2 November 2025 |
06 November 2025 | Placements commencing from 3 November 2025 to 16 November 2025 |
20 November 2025 | Placements commencing from 17 November 2025 to 30 November 2025 |
04 December 2025 | Placements commencing from 1 December 2025 to 14 December 2025 |
18 December 2025 | Placements commencing from 15 December 2025 to 11 January 2025 |
| 15 January 2026 | Placements commencing from 19 December 2025 to 25 January 2025 |
How will CPP be paid to me?
Successful applicants will receive their CPP every fortnight, starting after their placement begins (payments will not be made before 1 July 2025).
To receive your payments, you must provide your bank details in MyStudentInfo under the Finance tab.
On Desktop:
- Log in to MyStudentInfo
- Go to Finance → Bank Details
- Enter or update your bank details and save
On the mobile app:
- Log in to MyStudentInfo
- Go to Finance → Bank Details
- Enter or update your bank details and save
Need help? Check out this guide.
Exceptional circumstances
What is considered an exceptional circumstance for CPP?
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 your normal studies.
Exceptional circumstances fall into three categories:
- Disability requiring reasonable adjustments.
- Health and medical conditions (you).
- 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.
What are some exceptional circumstance?
Case study 1
A student who normally works regular casual shifts averaging more than 15 hours per week develops a sudden and severe back injury during the four-week evidentiary period. Due to the injury, they are temporarily unable to work and therefore do not meet the Need to Work test. The student provides a medical certificate confirming the injury and its impact on their ability to work, making them eligible for consideration under exceptional circumstances.
Case study 2
A student who is the primary carer for an elderly parent normally works 20 hours per week, earning below $1,500 per week. However, due to the sudden deterioration of her parent’s health and the need for ongoing medical appointments and daily support, she is unable to meet the Need to Work test or maintain her usual work hours while completing placement.
The student has provided a medical certificate from her parent’s doctor outlining the increased care requirements and has registered for an Equitable Learning Plan as a carer. As a result, she has been approved to undertake her placement at reduced hours of 18 hours per week (3 days) to accommodate her caregiving responsibilities.
Case study 3
A student with a long-term disability receives ongoing reasonable adjustments for both work and study. Although they hold a casual position, their disability restricts them to working a maximum of 12 hours per week during teaching periods, which means they cannot meet the Need to Work test. In addition, their Equitable Learning Plan limits their placement load to 24 hours per week to support their health, energy levels, and access needs. Because the student’s disability clearly affects their ability to meet both the Need to Work test and the standard 30-hour per week placement requirement during the evidentiary period, they are eligible for consideration under exceptional circumstances.