Supporting documentation - Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)

Supporting documentation - Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)

This page provides information about the types of documents that can be used to support your Commonwealth Prac Payment application. Applications will not be assessed without supporting evidence.

Please ensure the evidence you provide is relevant to your application, specific in detail and current. Documents uploaded from previous applications can only be used if your application was successful in the past calendar year and your circumstances haven’t changed.

Providing false or misleading information is a criminal offence and the penalties can be severe. Applications including false or misleading information will be made ineligible.

When submitting supporting evidence, please ensure you redact personal information such as your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN), Tax File Number (TFN) and bank account details. Provided that the document is in date and your full name and address are visible, we do not require the additional personal information usually evident within these types of documentation.

'Redact' means to cross out or hide part of a text for security purposes. A full list of information to include and what should be redacted can be found below.     

If the evidence you can provide is not listed, please contact scholarships@rmit.edu.au to discuss.

Financial evidence

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If you receive an income support payment from Centrelink, you must provide a copy of your most recent Income Statement or Centrelink Payment Details (downloaded in the week you are submitting your application).

Note: A copy of your Health Care Card, screenshots or bank statements will not be accepted as evidence. Examples of eligible supporting documentation are available here.

The statement should include:

  • your full name
  • the income payment you are receiving and the amount.

The following information should be redacted from the statement:

  • your Customer Reference Number (CRN).

Eligible and ineligible payments

Centrelink low-income support payment
Eligible income support payments
  • Age Pension
  • Austudy
  • Carer Payment
  • Disability Support Pension
  • JobSeeker Payment 
  • Parenting Payment
  • Special Benefit
  • Farm Household Allowance
  • Youth Allowance
  • ABSTUDY Living Allowance
Ineligible income support payments
  • Family Tax Benefit A and B
  • Carer Allowance
  • Paid Parental Leave

If you receive an income support payment from the Department of Veterans Affairs, you must provide a copy of your most recent Income Statement or Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Payment details (downloaded in the week you are submitting the application).

Note: A copy of your Veteran’s Card, screenshots, or bank statements will not be accepted as evidence.

Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Payments
Eligible payments
  • Age Pension
  • Income Support Supplement
  • Service Pension
  • Veteran Payment
  • Education Allowance

If you work a minimum of 15 hours per week during an ordinary study period and earn less than $1,500 per week (before tax) from all income sources, you must provide: 

  • Your most recent payslips for a continuous four-week period during the term/semester. These must be dated during a regular study period, immediately prior to your application and before the start of your placement. Examples of eligible supporting documentation are available here.
  • Evidence of income from all other sources including any scholarships you receive or similar financial cost of living assistance from Commonwealth States and Territories, excluding accommodation scholarships at Purpose Built Student Accommodation. 

Notes: 

  • Fortnightly or monthly pay slips will be averaged to get weekly hours and gross wage. 
  • Payslips must include dates, hours of work, all wage information, your name and business name.  
  • If you did not work a minimum of 15 hours per week for a continuous four-week period in the semester prior to application, you are not eligible to be considered for this payment unless there are exceptional circumstances. 

Exceptional circumstances

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If you are unable to meet the Need to Work test in the continuous four-week period immediately prior to your application due to exceptional circumstances, and/or the placement requirement of 30 hours or more per week, you can still apply for CPP under one or more of the following categories:

Category Evidence required
Disability
  • Document(s) from a registered health practitioner detailing the disability or condition and how it affects your ability to engage with work or study
  • A current Equitable Learning Plan
Health and Medical (self)
  • Medical certificate, statement of support and/or a letter(s) from a registered health practitioner which outlines the general details of an illness or chronic condition which affects your ability to engage with work or study. This evidence must include how long these circumstances will be relevant.
  • A current Equitable Learning Plan
Caregiving – due to Health and Medical of a significant other
  • If you are providing care to someone with a significant relationship to you, letters of support should be provided by the person receiving the care’s registered health practitioner, treating registered health practitioner, or service
Acute personal or family life event(s)
  • Statutory declarations
  • Medical certificate or statements or letters of support from registered health practitioner
  • Death certificate, death or funeral notice or a letter from a medical or mental health professional
  • Evidence of mandatory relocation
  • Family violence support service documents, documents issued by a police service, or documents issued by a court, Notice and evidence for family and domestic violence leave
  • Evidence from a registered service provider
  • Evidence of residence in an area affected by natural disaster or emergency
  • Evidence of compulsory legal proceedings or court-imposed requirements or conditions.

Case study 1 – Disability

A student with a disability requires reasonable adjustments to work and study. While they have a casual job, their disability means they can only work 10 hours per week during study periods falling short of the Need to Work test. Similarly, their individual Education Plan limits placement participation to less than 30-hours per week to align with their access needs and capacity. As the impact on the student’s ability to meet both the Need to Work test and 30-hour per week placement requirement are evident within the evidentiary period, they are eligible under exceptional circumstances.

Case study 2 – Health and medical (self)

A student, who typically works regular casual shifts averaging more than 15-hours per week, experiences a short-term illness during the four-week evidentiary period. As a result, they are temporarily unable to work and do not meet the Need to Work test. They provide a medical certificate confirming the impact, making them eligible under exceptional circumstances.

Case study 3 - Caregiving – due to Health and Medical of a significant other

A student, who is a parent with three children and who normally works 16 hours a week earning under $1,500 per week is unable to meet the Need to work test and placement requirements as one of her children has had recent serious health problems. The student has obtained a medical certificate from her child’s doctor confirming the impact and has also registered for an Equitable Learning Plan as a carer to undertake her placement at reduced hours of 21 hours a week (3 days) to accommodate her personal circumstances.

Need help?

Contact the Coursework Scholarships Office.

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