Student Services and Amenities Fee
What is the SSAF?
The SSAF is a fee for student services and amenities of a non-academic nature, such as sporting and recreational activities, employment and career advice, child care, financial advice and food services.
Students can have their say on how the SSAF should be used in 2025 by completing this short survey. The survey is open between 22 April – 27 May 2024.
How is your SSAF put to work?
In 2024, the University has allocated approximately $3.7 million in SSAF to fund the following projects, services, and activities for students:
Medical and Counselling – projects and services focusing on early identification and implementation of supports to enhance student health and wellbeing.
UC Crisis Line – immediate and 24/7 access to support UC students in crisis.
Student Wellbeing and Support Program – support students to succeed at every stage of study including Student Mentor Program; transition and orientation support; respect, safety and wellbeing initiatives; connection to place initiatives and building cultural capacity.
Food Pantry - provide students with access to free supplies multiple days a week, including fresh produce and personal consumables, including reusable period products.
Respect Now Always – funding for a project officer to drive projects and activities to achieve priorities in relation to the prevention of sexual assault and harassment.
Student Representative Council – support for student representation, advocacy, welfare, and engagement with campus life.
Legal Aid – a dedicated on-campus legal advice service for students.
Studiosity - online tutor support 24/7, available to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Includes general study skills and subject-specific support in foundation level mathematics, business, economics, science, and statistics.
Maths and Stats Help (MASH) Centre - supports students across the university with mathematical and statistical concepts.
Let's get local about jobs - a program designed to identify and promote on campus and local part time job opportunities for international students.
Technology to improve student resumes - Use of AI platform, Ab Intergro to assess resumes online and give feedback and improve students job applications.
Home and away – a project to prepare students for placement including professional behaviour and employer expectations and managing practicalities of out-of-area placements such as sourcing accommodation. Aid student in making community and social connections to support and enrich their placement experience. Financial support for travel and accommodation costs associated with placement.
Library learning equipment – purchase of whiteboards and hybrid TVs to support students’ study skills and encourage student collaboration both on and off campus.
Clubs and societies – support for student academic, cultural, sport and social clubs and societies. Supplies opportunities for community involvement, social engagement, and support.
Student events – provision of a vibrant events schedule on campus to encourage student participation and enhance the student experience.
Orientation week – for semester one and two. Supplies a schedule of social activities, events, and live music to engage students, welcome them to UC and help entry into university life.
Stonefest Music Festival – discounted tickets for UC students.
eSport lounge – student discount and access to play social e-sports or in competitive tournaments.
Sport & fitness – provides inclusive and accessible opportunities for UC students to participate in social sport as well as representative levels of competition. Subsidises student gym membership and contributes to the maintenance and improvement indoor, outdoor recreational, health and fitness facilities across campus.
The University's five key priorities for allocation of the SSAF are:
- Capital / strategic works to improve student facilities
- Student medical, counselling and welfare services
- Student life, clubs and societies, sports and culture-
- Student representation and advocacy services
- Student study and careers support services
The University’s SSAF Allocation Panel assessed SSAF applications against the following principles:
- Complies with allowable SSAF services as defined by Commonwealth legislation
- Visible impact and lasting benefits to the UC student experience, services or amenities
- Aligns with UC Strategic Plan and student experience priorities
- Informed by UC student engagement and feedback
- Measurable outcomes and evidence of return on investment
Across 2023, the University allocated $4.2 million in funding generated from SSAF to the following projects, services or activities for students:
| 2023 project / service / activity | Total |
Capital / strategic works to improve student facilities
Library refurbishment to continue staged Library improvements – converting existing staff workroom space to student collaborative study spaces: $890,000 Student facilities – All-weather outdoor recreation area near student accommodation and eateries: $75,000
| $965,000
|
Student study and careers support services
Studiosity for UC students to access online tutor support 24/7, available to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Includes general study skills and subject-specific support in foundation level mathematics, business, economics, science and statistics: $250,000 Home and Away – preparing students for placements, including travel grants, and connecting them with community resources: $190,000 Study skills for neurodiverse students - Targeted programs for students with disabilities (neurodiverse and autism spectrum) to improve study skills and wellbeing: $65,000 Maths and Stats Help (MASH) Centre supporting students across the university with mathematical and statistical concepts, from across UC: $58,000 Technology to improve student resumes: Use of Ab Intergro to assess resumes online and provide feedback: $45,000 The skills that I bring – assisting international students to source part-time work aligned with their skills: $45,000
| $671,000 |
Student life, clubs and societies, sports and culture
UCX clubs and societies - Academic, cultural, sporting and social clubs and societies support. Contributes to the UC community through events, opportunities, support and social engagement: $350,000 UCX Student events to provide a schedule of vibrant events on campus for students to take part in, and enhance the student experience: $300,000 UC Sport student engagement supporting student participation in interstate, local and social sports, and sporting club development: $300,000 UCX Orientation social activities in Semesters 1 and 2including events, live music, and facilitation to engage students in University life: $125,000 UC Sport and fitness subsidised student gym memberships: $125,000 UC Live – Stonefest Music Festival, a legacy UC event with subsidised student tickets: $80,000 UC hoodies subsidised for new and existing students to promote student belonging to the UC community: $45,000 UCX eSport lounge for all-student discounted accessto play socially or compete in eSport tournaments: $30,000 | $1,355,000 |
Student medical, counselling and welfare services
Medical and Counselling ‘The Supported Student’ – projects and services focusing on early identification and implementation of supports to enhance student health and wellbeing: $396,000 Student Wellbeing and Support Program – supporting students to succeed at every stage of study including Student Mentor Program, Targeted Transition, Wellbeing initiatives, and cultural awareness: $350,000 UCX Food Pantry providing students with access to free food supplies multiple days a week, including fresh produce: $135,000
| $881,000 |
Student representation and advocacy services
Student Representative Council support in its work in student representation, advocacy, welfare and engagement with campus life: $300,000 Respect. Now. Always. To implement activities and projects to achieve priorities in relation to sexual assault and harassment, including student services (Crisis line): $50,000 Legal Aid service for students: $35,000
| $385,000 |
TOTAL(January 2023) | $4,257,000 |
The University’s key priorities for the SSAF are:
- Student medical, counselling and welfare services.
- Student life, clubs and societies, sports, and culture.
- Student representation and advocacy services.
- Student study and careers support services.
- Capital/strategic works to improve student facilities.
Students are invited to complete the SSAF student survey to have their say on how their SSAF should be used, as well as identifying priority areas for funding.
108 students completed the survey in 2023 to inform the 2024 funding allocation.
Student priories in order were 1) improvement to facilities; 2) study and career support services; 3) medical, counselling and welfare services; 4) student life, clubs, societies, sports, and culture; 4) student representation and advocacy services.
The highest rated student services were promoting health or welfare of students (66%); helping students develop skills for study (64%); helping students obtain employment (63%); provision of food and drink services (51%) and providing student advice – legal, financial, accommodation (51%).
Democratically elected student representatives are also invited to review SSAF applications in conjunction with the Student Survey results and give comments and feedback on their priorities for fee revenue use.
The University’s SSAF Allocation Panel assessed SSAF applications against the following principles:
- Complies with allowable SSAF services as defined by Commonwealth legislation.
- Visible impact and lasting benefits to the UC student experience, services, and amenities.
- Aligns with UC Strategic Plan and student experience priorities.
- Informed by UC student engagement and feedback.
- Measurable outcomes and evidence of return on investment.
The University is not permitted to use SSAF to support political parties or the election of a person to a Commonwealth or State or Territory Parliament or local Government body. Further, the University does not use SSAF to support political student clubs.
Paying the SSAF
In the first half of the 2024 academic year, all students will be charged $263.25. Students who are part-time over the entire 2024 academic calendar will only pay this one off annual fee.
Students who are full-time over the entire 2024 academic calendar will pay a supplementary fee in the second half of the year of $87.75. This will total the annual fee of $351.00
In 2024 the maximum fee for a full-time student will be $351.00 and $263.25 for a part-time student, that is:
| Student type | Annual fee (maximum) |
| Full-time student (enrolled in 18 credit points or above in a calendar year) | $351.00 |
| Part-time student (enrolled in less than 18 credit points in a calendar year) | $263.25 |
How is the SSAF charged?
Examples:
- John enrols in four units (12 credit points) in Semester 1 and four units (12 credit points) in Semester 2. John is deemed to be a full-time student across the calendar year.
John will be charged $263.25 for the SSAF in Semester 1, and $87.75 for the SSAF in Semester 2, so that the total SSAF amount charged is $351.00
- Michael enrols in three units (9 credit points) in Semester 1, two units (6 credit points) in Winter Term and does not enrol in Semester 2. Michael is deemed to be a part-time student across the calendar year.
Michael will be charged $263.25 for the SSAF in Semester 1. Michael will not be charged for the SSAF in Winter Term as he is deemed to be a part-time student and has paid the part-time amount in Semester 1.
- Louise enrols in two units (6 credit points) in Semester 1, two units (6 credit points) in Winter Term and four units (12 credit points) in Semester 2. Louise is deemed to be a full-time student across the calendar year.
Louise will be charged $263.25 for the SSAF in Semester 1. Louise will not be charged for the SSAF in Winter Term as she is considered a part-time student for the calendar year at this stage. Louise will be charged $87.75 for the SSAF in Semester 2, as she is then deemed to be a full-time student. The total SSAF amount charged is therefore $351.00
- Mary enrols for the first time in four units (12 credit points) in Semester 2. Mary is deemed to be a part-time student across the calendar year.
Mary will be is charged $263.25 for the SSAF in Semester 2 only.
Students will be charged SSAF for each teaching period in which they are enrolled. SSAF will be payable on or before the Census date of each teaching period. Details on Census dates can be found on the Census Dates page.
The SSAF will be charged to:
- Domestic and International onshore coursework students (diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate);
- Domestic and International onshore research students; Online Domestic and International students in Australia;
- Non-Award and Cross-institutional students;
- UC-START, UC-CONNECT, UC-PREP and UCAN Reach students; and
- Ngunnawal Foundation Program students.
The SSAF is not charged to students studying:
- at one of our overseas partner campuses
- through approved Study Abroad and Exchange arrangements
- a course exclusively offered through online delivery, where the student is located outside of Australia
- in areas that do not form part of a higher education program or pathway program, including:
- ELICOS and other UC College English language programs
- UC College Chemistry or Biology Preparation
- UC Accelerate Program
I'm not sure if I need to pay the SSAF
If you are unsure as to whether you will be required to pay SSAF please contact the Student Centre on 1300 301 727 or student.centre@canberra.edu.au.
How to Pay
- Download your statement – Log on to MyUC and select ‘Fees’ from the tabs across the top and then select ‘Statement of Account’ from the menu.
- If you are unable to download your statement of account, please email student.centre@canberra.edu.au from your student email account to request a copy of your statement. Please note: Statements will only be sent to your student email account.
- Pay the amount due before the census date of that teaching period online or at any Australia Post Office. Please refer to the payment details on your statement.
- Eligible students may complete the SA-HELP form to defer the payment for future teaching periods.
Eligible students are able to defer their SSAF through a HELP loan scheme similar to FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP called SA-HELP. To be eligible for SA-HELP you must:
- Be an Australian Citizen or permanent humanitarian visa holder resident in Australia;
- Be enrolled in a course that leads to a higher education award, enabling course or bridging course for overseas-trained professionals; and
- Meet the Tax File Number (TFN) requirements.
Students in non-award courses are not eligible for SA-HELP unless they are enrolled in an enabling program. Enabling programs at the University are UC-CONNECT, UC-PREP, UCan Reach and the Ngunnawal Foundation Program.
Eligible students can access the SA-HELP form online – log on to MyUC and go to the Enrolments and Timetable tab. Select Self Enrolment, your course and then the SA-HELP Form step. You will need your TFN to complete the online form. The form must be completed on or before the Census date of the first teaching period you are enrolled in. You only need to apply for SA-HELP once during your course of study.
If you are not able to access the form online, you can request a hard copy of the form which must be completed and returned to the University on or before the Census date of the first teaching period you are enrolled in. You will need your TFN to complete the form. Students only need to apply for SA-HELP once during their course of study.
You can complete the SA-HELP form now for all future teaching periods in your current course. Please note this form needs to be submitted before the CENSUS DATE of the next teaching period.
For Further information please contact the Student Centre E: student.centre@canberra.edu.au P: 1300 301 727
Online on shore students are required to pay the SSAF as the welfare, advocacy and online support services are available to all online students.
As a student of the University of Canberra, our aim is to ensure that online students have access to the same level of support and resources as our on-campus students. For example, funding has been allocated to assist online students through an online tutorial service.
- Students with unpaid SSAF will not be able to access their results.
- If you have any questions, please contact the Student Centre on 1300 301 727 or send an email to student.centre@canberra.edu.au.
Around campus you will see this logo to identify that, your Student Services and Amenities Fee contributed to this project.