That ICPA (Aust) advocate to the Department of Education to extend eligibility for the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to students undertaking a Graduate Diploma in Education.
Addressing Workforce Shortages: Students enrolled in a Graduate Diploma in Education are pursuing a postgraduate qualification specifically aimed at tackling the urgent shortage of qualified teachers across Australia, especially in rural and remote areas. These students are a vital part of the future teaching workforce and are responding directly to national and state workforce needs. Parity with Other Teaching Pathways: The current eligibility criteria for the CPP include Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching students, but do not explicitly include Graduate Diploma in Education students. This creates an inequity, as all these pathways lead to teacher registration and require mandatory professional placements. Financial Barriers: Graduate Diploma in Education students face the same financial challenges as their Bachelor's and Master's counterparts during mandatory placements, including travel, accommodation, and living expenses. Excluding them from the CPP increases the financial burden and may deter capable individuals from entering the teaching profession. University Support and Application Process: Universities have recognised the need for financial support and have provided Graduate Diploma in Education students with application details for the CPP, indicating institutional support and the importance of including these students in the scheme. Maximising Teacher Supply: Including Graduate Diploma in Education students in the CPP will help attract and retain more individuals into teaching, ensuring a steady supply of qualified teachers to meet Australia’s educational needs.
Supporting Points:
● The Graduate Diploma in Education is a recognised postgraduate pathway to teacher registration. Students in these programs undertake the same mandatory placements as those in Bachelor and Master teaching degrees.
● Excluding these students is inconsistent with the CPP’s aim to support those entering critical workforce areas.
● Universities have already prepared and provided application processes for these students, demonstrating the demand and readiness for inclusion.
