Equity Compulsory Placement Initative

The Equity Compulsory Placement Initiative (ECPI) assists CQUniversity students on low income to meet some of the additional costs they incur when undertaking compulsory work placements or compulsory residential schools as part of their academic program.

The initiative provides a financial supplement of $50 to $200 per fortnight for the duration of the practicum or 1 to 2 payments according to individual circumstances. Students need to demonstrate that the additional costs incurred as a result of their compulsory placement or residential school will result in financial hardship.

Financial assistance is payable during one placement only. If you have further placements you will need to submit a new ECPI application.

If you are unable to download relevant forms, contact the Student Support Centre and forms will be sent to you directly.

Process

1. Download the ECPI Application Form available here. Remember to attach supporting documentation and forward it to the Student Support Centre in Rockhampton. Please ensure that your application reaches the Student Support Centre, Building 31 in Rockhampton well before commencement of your placement or residential school (at least 2 - 3 weeks). Applications which do not have the requested documentation will not be assessed.

2. The Student Support Centre will confirm details of the placement with the Supervisor/Coordinator.

3. Each application will be assessed on an individual basis according to the eligibility criteria (see below). You will be notified of the outcome in writing and if you are successful advised of payment details.

4. If you are successful the banking details you provided on the application form will be used to deposit the supplement into your nominated bank account.

Please note: Money received by students under the ECPI may be considered as income by Centrelink and subject to the Personal/Partner Income Tests. Students should confirm the income free threshold of their particular payment with Centrelink before applying. Please contact the Student Support Centre if you believe an ECPI payment may affect your Centrelink payments.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the ECPI, a student must:

be an Australian citizen or holder of an Australian Permanent Resident or humanitarian visa;
be a Commonwealth supported student;
be in receipt of a Centrelink Benefit or can demonstrate low personal or family income;
be undertaking a full-time block of compulsory unpaid work placement of at least one week; or
be undertaking a compulsory residential school;
demonstrate that the additional costs as a result of undertaking the compulsory placement or compulsory residential school will result in financial hardship.