16 July 2025

Universities achieve Commonwealth Prac Payment compliance with free TechnologyOne solution

Universities across Australia have successfully launched the first Commonwealth Prac Payments (CPP) Program this week through the sector’s only free, end-to-end solution developed by TechnologyOne.

The weekly CPP payment of $331.65 is available to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students experiencing ‘placement poverty’ and is expected to assist 73,000 students required to complete hours of unpaid work to receive their qualification.

The CPP payment was announced in the 2024-25 federal budget, tasking the higher education sector with managing, administering, paying, recording and governing the new financial assistance program by 1 July 2025, a significant technological and regulatory burden.

In response, TechnologyOne partnered with Central Queensland University and Victoria University to create a free, purpose-built solution embedded into its Student Management System. The end-to-end offering allows institutions to identify and means-test eligible students, make secure payments and monitor the status of submissions in real-time. It also helps students navigate the CPP process, enabling them to update any changes in their circumstances and appeal unsuccessful applications.

To date, 9 universities have deployed the solution, which was developed by 3 full-time TechnologyOne developers in just 50 days and implemented in less than a month.

Neville Hiscox, Chief Student Services Officer, Curtin University, said, “We set aside our internal development plans and alternative marketplace options to fully commit to TechnologyOne’s CPP solution—and it delivered. The platform was deployed in a very short timeframe, and despite several challenges, the responsive support ensured a nearly seamless implementation.”

Tahnee Leman, Director Student Services and Support, Education Division James Cook University, said, “Thanks to TechOne for their proactive engagement in providing a delivered solution to the Commonwealth Prac Payments. The solution leverages existing functionality thereby minimising implementation time and offering the opportunity to explore features we may not be fully utilising.”

TechnologyOne CEO, Ed Chung, added, “Co-developing the CPP solution with our university partners was key to making it fit-for-purpose. This included embedding the capabilities to proactively identifying eligible students, ensuring no one missed out on much needed support. Having spent the last three decades innovating alongside many of Australia’s leading higher education providers it’s been rewarding to give something back to the community. An innovation that not only solves an industry-wide challenge but one that will benefit students for years to come.”