Business Support Assistant (CPP Focused)

Be Challenged and Imagine with us

The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) program is continuing to evolve as more eligible disciplines and professional placements are included. You’ll be joining a team that plays a key operational role in delivering this initiative and ensuring students receive the support they are eligible for.

If you’re someone who enjoys working with data, solving problems and making sure the details are right, we’d love to hear from you.

The Role

Behind every successful payment is someone making sure the details are right.

As a Business Support Assistant focused on the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP), you’ll play an important role in helping students receive financial support while completing eligible professional placements across programs including teaching, nursing, midwifery and more.

This is an operational role where accuracy, organisation and attention to detail matter. You’ll work with student payment data, coordinate weekly payment runs, complete reconciliations and help resolve enquiries to ensure payments are processed smoothly and on time.

It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with numbers and data, is confident using systems and takes satisfaction from keeping things accurate and on track.

Working as part of the CPP team and reporting to the CPP leader, you will:

• Coordinate and process weekly Commonwealth Prac Payment runs, ensuring payments are accurate and delivered on schedule
• Verify payment data, investigate discrepancies and complete reconciliation activities
• Maintain accurate student records across the HES CPP solution and relevant University systems
• Work with large datasets, interpreting information and identifying errors or inconsistencies
• Respond to CPP-related enquiries from students and staff, providing clear and timely information
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Student Administration, Finance and Colleges professional experience units to resolve issues and support payment processing
• Assist with reporting, compliance and audit activities
• Support system testing, updates and troubleshooting, working with DTS and external providers where required
• Contribute to improving CPP processes, procedures and workflows

About you

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with figures, data and systems and takes pride in getting the details right.

You’ll bring:

• Strong administrative and organisational skills, with a high level of attention to detail
• Experience working with financial data, payroll, accounts, reconciliations or similar processes
• Confidence working with large datasets and interpreting information to identify discrepancies or trends
• Strong computer and systems skills, with the ability to learn new systems quickly
• The ability to manage recurring deadlines and ensure work is completed accurately and on time
• Clear and professional communication skills, with the ability to assist a range of students and staff
• A practical approach to problem solving and the confidence to investigate and resolve issues

Experience working in a university environment or with government-funded programs would be beneficial but is not essential.

This fixed term role is full time at a HEW 5 Higher Education Worker Level until December 2027 and is located at Callaghan Campus

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision and our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability, the University of Newcastle’s Looking Ahead Strategic Plan 2030 outlines the University’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities. 

For more information click here – Our University. 

What we offer

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• A remuneration of $83806 - $97217 p.a. + superannuation based on skills and experience
• Excellent employment conditions in line with University of Newcastle professional staff conditions.
• Flexible working arrangements (in line with the University’s Flexible Work Policy
• 35 hour week
• 17% super and salary packaging
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal leave and parental leave, annual leave loading and additional purchased leave scheme
• Discounts in private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more
• Wellbeing programs

Your next steps 

Please visit here for a guide on how to apply for a role. 

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy before commencing your application. 

Your application must include: 

• Your resume
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity
• A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed in the position description demonstrating your qualifications and experience with examples.

To ensure that your application receives full consideration, it's important to structure and address the selection criteria outlined in the application process. This helps us better understand your experience and suitability for the role. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to reviewing your application.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document.

Your Cover Letter and Response to the Essential Criteria should not exceed 4 pages (approximately 2,000 words).

Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. 

For specific position enquiries, please contact Emma Drake, Business Solutions Coordinator (02) 4985 4234  Emma.Drake@newcastle.edu.au

Having Difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au

Closing date: Thursday 1^st October 2026 @ 11:59pm AEST

Our assessment process

Typically, candidates that progress beyond the shortlist stage can expect to undertake the following (minimum) assessment activities as part of the recruitment process:

• Interview (an ‘in person’ interview will be conducted as part of the process)
• Referee checks
• Pre-employment checks as appropriate to the role 

Our University is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community. This commitment is central to our values and our efforts to build a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive. 

As part of this, and in alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. 

The completion and return of the University’s Gender-based Violence Declaration Form will form part of the pre-employment checks for this position and any offer of employment will be conditional upon review by the University. 

Our adherence to the Code is about more than compliance—it’s about living our values. Together, we can ensure our University remains a place where respect, safety, and inclusion are non-negotiable. 

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

We are committed to a fair, inclusive, and barrier-free recruitment process. If you require an alternative way to access the Position Description or submit your application, please contact employment@newcastle.edu.au.

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the assessment and interview process to support all applicants to participate fully.

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

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