Student Services and Amenities Fee
What is SSAF?
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) helps to maintain and enhance important non-academic services and amenities that improve the university experience and support a wide range of student needs. It provides funding for things such as sporting and recreational activities, health and well-being services, employment and career advice as well as independent student representation structures. You can find more detailed information on the Department of Education website.
How much will I pay?
The maximum annual fee is set by the Government and the amount you pay will vary according to your enrolled load and mode of study. SSAF is charged for Higher Education students studying in a Commonwealth supported or Domestic Full Fee-paying Place. It is calculated and charged progressively for each semester, and is based on your campus and study load within a calendar year.
| 2025 Student Services and Amenities Fee schedule | |
|---|---|
Student Cohort, Course Campus and Equivalent Full-Time Study load (EFTSL) | Amount |
Ballarat, Gippsland, Berwick & Wimmera Campuses Flexible/Blended Delivery, Chisholm | |
| Less than 0.125 EFTSL | $0 |
| 0.125 EFTSL to less than 0.750 EFTSL | $273 |
| 0.750 EFTSL and above | $365 |
| Online Learning (ODL) & FedOnline (FOL) | |
| Less than 0.125 EFTSL | $0 |
| 0.125 EFTSL to less than 0.750 EFTSL | $204 |
0.750 EFTSL and above | $273 |
Other | |
Higher Degree Research (HDR) students Cross-institutional students International fee-paying students | $0 $0 $0 |
EFTSL = Equivalent Full-time Student Load
View the 2024 Student Service and Amenities Fee schedule here ( PDF, 98.28 KB).
What are my payment options?
If you are eligible for Commonwealth assistance you can defer your SSAF to an SA-HELP loan. All other students must pay their SSAF upfront each semester by the invoice due date. Your SSAF charges and due dates will appear on your online invoice. Please visit our invoice and fee payment dates pages for further information.
What is SA‑HELP?
Eligible students who do not wish to pay their SSAF upfront can request assistance from the Government, and defer the fee through an element of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) known as SA-HELP. For further information on eligibility and how to apply please visit our SA-HELP page.
What can SSAF funding be spent on?
Universities that charge a student services and amenities fee will only be able to spend the fee on the provision of the following services:
- Providing food or drink to students on a campus of the University
- Supporting a sporting or other recreational activity by student
- Supporting the administration of a club whose members are mostly students
- Caring for children of students
- Providing legal services to students
- Promoting health or welfare of students
- Helping students secure accommodation
- Helping students obtain employment or advice on careers
- Helping students with their financial affairs
- Helping students obtain insurance against personal accidents
- Support debating by students
- Providing libraries and reading rooms (other than those provided for academic purposes) for students
- Supporting an artistic activity by students
- Supporting the production and dissemination to students of media whose content is provided by students
- Helping students develop skills for study, by means other than undertaking units of study in which they are enrolled
- Advising on matters arising under the University's rules (however described)
- Advocating students' interests in matters arising under the University's rules (however described)
- Giving students information to help them in their orientation
- Helping meet the specific needs of overseas students relating to their welfare, accommodation and employment
- Universities can choose to deliver the services and amenities themselves or contract a third party to deliver the services and amenities on their behalf.
SSAF funding cannot be used for the provision of academic services, or used to support political parties or the election of a person to a Commonwealth, State or Territory Parliament or local Government body.
Student Consultation Process
Student Consultation Process PDF, 139 KB
Detailed reports of SSAF Expenditure
Student Service & Amenities Fee (SSAF) Report 2023 PDF, 442 KB
Student Service & Amenities Fee (SSAF) Report 2021-2022 PDF, 329 KB
Student Service & Amenities Fee (SSAF) Allocation Report 2022 PDF, 287 KB
Student Service & Amenities Fee (SSAF) Report 2020-2021 PDF, 551.54 KB
Student Service & Amenities Fee (SSAF) report 2018-2019 PDF, 117.87 KB
FAQs
Am I required to pay SSAF even if I don't intend to use any of the services and amenities?
Yes. A provider can charge a student the Student Services and Amenities Fee regardless of whether the student intends to use any of the services and amenities provided.