79Program objectives

79 Program objectives

(1) The Commonwealth Prac Payment program is specified as a program for the purposes of providing higher education providers with grants to give payments to Commonwealth supported students, who are undertaking mandatory practicums as part of their course of study, under item 15 of the table in subsection 41-10(1) of the Act. (2) The objectives of the Commonwealth Prac Payment program are to: (a) provide grants to higher education providers so those providers are able to deliver cost of living relief to eligible students undertaking mandatory placements as part of their teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work courses of study; and (b) support students’ learning outcomes by easing financial pressure on students during their mandatory placements; and (c) increase students’ rates of retention and completion of their courses of study by reducing the financial impact of mandatory placements that may have influenced students to defer or withdraw from study.