Student Services and Amenities Fee

Thank you to all students who participated in the survey on how their SSAF should be used in 2026. The survey, which was open from 23 April – 28 May 2025, is now closed. The SSAF survey adhered to the University’s Student Collection Notice and Privacy Policy.

Aligned with student feedback, the University has allocated approximately $4.9 million in SSAF to fund the following projects, services, and activities for students in 2026:

Medical and Counselling – the Supported Student program provides accessible healthcare, mental health support, legal advice, and early intervention services. It promotes resilience, academic success, and long-term wellbeing through a holistic approach to student challenges.

Student Wellbeing and International Support Program – fostering connection, belonging and wellbeing for all UC students by delivering  targeted, relevant and informed student support initiatives, including orientation and transition support for all students, with a specific focus on international students in line with the ESOS Act 2000.

Virtual Village – providing tailored support for remote students—including those in fully online degrees, living outside the ACT, or taking online units. This program aims to reduce isolation and boost engagement by creating inclusive digital spaces, offering dedicated staff support, and promoting student wellbeing.

Food Pantry – provides students with access to free food supplies and hygiene products to help them better succeed in their studies. Open three days per week at various times to be accessible to as many students as possible, the Food Pantry also aims to improve food literacy and sustainability by holding cooking classes, free breakfasts, and the repair café.

Respect Now Always – funding for the UC Crisis Line (immediate and 24/7 access to support UC students in crisis), prevention and response training for students, and student part-timers to design and deliver preventative initiatives like campaigns, events, resources and merchandise.

Student Representative Council – student services including Student Advocacy, Curieux Magazine (UC’s student magazine), Equity Services (Queer Space & Women's Room), International Student Collective, Representative Services ad Engagement Services.

Legal Aid – a dedicated on-campus legal advice service for students.

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework – a two-year initiative to embed mental health and wellbeing across UC. It aims to create inclusive, psychologically safe environments by integrating wellbeing into curriculum, teaching, support services, and policy. Co-designed with students, it builds resilience, belonging, and academic success.

Studiosity – AI-powered writing feedback and online tutoring support 24/7 for general study skills as well as subject-specific support for foundation level English, mathematics, and science. Available to undergraduate and postgraduate students including online students and those studying part-time. 

Maths and Stats Help (MASH) Centre - supports students across the university with mathematical, statistical and IT concepts.

Peer Assisted Learning Sessions (PALS) Resources – supports Peer Assisted Learning Sessions (PALS) in Health and Science by funding new anatomical models and equipment to enhance hands-on learning. High-quality resources will enrich the experience, especially for Accelerated Pathways students.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Student Support Program for out of area placements – supports students who are not eligible for the ACT Health Placement Grants, HEPPP grants or the new Commonwealth Prac Payment. This includes international students, post graduate students, and students who do not meet equity criteria.

University of Canberra HDR Research Symposium – a student-led event showcasing HDR research across faculties. It features presentations, workshops, and industry networking, and is co-designed by students to foster collaboration, impact, and a strong research culture.

UC 24hr Digital Design Challenge – a fast-paced, extra-curricular event where students create a complete design project in one day. Open to all disciplines, it fosters creativity, collaboration, and portfolio development. It enables broader participation across UC and partner institutions through its inclusive, hybrid format.     

Clubs and Societies – support for student academic, cultural, sport and social clubs and societies. Clubs and societies contribute significantly to the UC community through events, professional development, networking opportunities, peer support, and social engagement.

Student Events – provides a schedule of vibrant events on campus for students to take part in. These range from small activations and pop-ups to weeklong events and campaigns, but all have the goal of enhancing the student experience.

Orientation Week Reimagined (Social Activities) – a revitalised, student co-designed Orientation Week for semester one and two. It aims to improve the student experience through a cohesive schedule, clear communication, better wayfinding, and more social opportunities. Includes delivering a roadshow orientation experience to students at Sydney Hills campus.

Live Music Program – discounted student tickets to all UC live music events, more themed student parties, and two free concerts – making live music more affordable and accessible, and ensuring all students can enjoy vibrant campus experiences.

Affordable Meals Program – an initiative designed to support UC Students by providing affordable and nutritious meals at discounted prices. Approximately 500 discounted meals will be made available per week to students.

Volunteering Program – X-Crew – an expanded UCX initiative supporting student volunteers through improved onboarding, training, and recognition. It offers diverse opportunities across campus and introduces a new content creation stream to help students share experiences and build practical skills.

On Campus Op Shop – This project will establish a permanent on-campus Op Shop, offering students affordable clothing, homewares, and study essentials. The Op Shop will create a sustainable, student-focused solution by capturing and redistributing these items, reducing landfill and supporting student wellbeing.

Esports Lounge – Canberra’s only dedicated Esports space for students to meet and engage in Esports. Seeks to enhance the student experience by offering discounts, maintaining the latest games, and organising engaging events. Also supports various Esports Teams to train and compete for UC in University competitions and public competitions.

Sport Delivery – supports participation and performance, maximising the engagement of students in both the participation and social facets sport as well as the ability to represent the University at all levels of competition, from intervarsity tournaments, UniSport Championships, and National Leagues.

UCFitx Student Subsidy – ensures that a gym membership is made affordable to UC students so they can look after their physical health and wellbeing while studying. UCFitx can offer pricing to students that is up to one third of the price of the next nearest gym.

In addition to the above projects, services and activities, SSAF 2026 funds have also been allocated to student support services for UC students based at our UC Sydney Hills campus (Foodbank, student clubs and job services), and partner campuses TAFE NSW and TAFE QLD. 

In 2025, the University used $4,505,435 in SSAF funding to deliver a wide range of services, projects and activities that supported student wellbeing, success and campus life.

2025 project / service / activity	Total
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Medical & Counselling Outreach Services – Early intervention and support services focused on enhancing student mental health, physical wellbeing and overall resilience: $455,000 Respect Now Always & UC Crisis Line – Immediate 24/7 crisis support for UC students, along with prevention and response training, student led campaigns, events, resources and awareness initiatives: $154,016	$609,016
Student Wellbeing, Equity and Essential Support Student Wellbeing and International Support Program – Targeted initiatives fostering connection, belonging and wellbeing across the student lifecycle, including orientation and transition support and focused international student support in line with the ESOS Act 2000: $331,302 Food Pantry – Free food and hygiene supplies for students experiencing financial hardship, complemented by cooking classes, free breakfasts, sustainability initiatives and the Repair Café: $329,190 Discounted Meals Program – Provision of affordable, nutritious and allergen-friendly meals to support student wellbeing and food security. Operating twice weekly, the program ran across 66 days, serving 4,394 meals to 1,143 individual students: $80,000 Aspire UC On Campus School Holiday Program – Free, on site school holiday care for children aged 5–12 years, supporting equity group student parents and carers to continue their studies during non teaching periods: $25,000	$765,492
Academic, Learning and Employability Support Studiosity (24/7 Online Study Support) – Round the clock writing feedback and online tutoring in general study skills and foundation level English, mathematics and science, available to all students including part time and online learners: $250,000 Mathematics and Statistics Help (MASH) Centre – Drop in and targeted support across mathematics, statistics, numeracy and IT concepts: $72,185 Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Student Support Program – Support for students undertaking out of area placements who are not eligible for other funding schemes, including international, postgraduate and non equity students: $302,788 UC 24 Hour Digital Design Challenge – A fast paced, extra curricular design challenge held on Open Day, fostering creativity, collaboration and portfolio development through an inclusive hybrid format: $6,019	$630,992
Student Representation, Advocacy and Legal Support Student Representative Council (SRC) Services – Support for student advocacy, representation, engagement and leadership, including Equity Services (Queer Space and the Women's Room), the International Student Collective, Curieux Magazine, student engagement activities, and external legal services to review and strengthen the SRC Charter and governance framework: $432,790 Legal Aid – A dedicated on campus legal advice service providing confidential support to students: $37,925	$470,715
Student Life, Events and Belonging Clubs and Societies – Support for student led academic, cultural, sporting and social clubs and societies, contributing to connection, leadership development, peer support and campus engagement: $360,662 Student Events Program – A diverse calendar of events ranging from pop ups and activations to week long campaigns, all designed to enhance the student experience: $515,550 Orientation Social Activities – Live music, social events and activities delivered in Semesters One and Two to welcome students and support their transition into university life: $40,299 Live Music Program – Subsidised tickets for UC students and a student party delivered during Stone Week: $51,000 Esports Lounge – Canberra's only dedicated student esports space, supporting casual play, competitive teams, events and community engagement: $61,109	$1,028,620
Sport, Fitness and Recreation Sport Delivery – Inclusive sporting opportunities supporting social participation and representative competition at intervarsity, UniSport and national league levels: $364,631 UCFitx Student Subsidy – Subsidised gym memberships ensuring students can access fitness facilities at significantly reduced cost: $140,000	$504,631
Campus Facilities and Learning Spaces UCX Support Equipment Purchases and Upgrades – Strategic investment in shared equipment to support student services, campus events and reduce reliance on external hire: $40,024 Women's Room and Student Multi Purpose Room Upgrades – Relocation and upgrade of the Women's Room and development of a new Student Multi Purpose Room to support student gatherings and campus vibrancy: $89,126 Refectory Balcony Upgrade – Planters and landscaping enhancements to improve student social spaces: $59,612 Student Lockers – Campus wide rollout of student lockers to improve amenity and storage access: $39,126 Furniture for Learning and Teaching Spaces – Furniture upgrades to learning and teaching spaces, including new tables and chairs and improvements to centrally bookable rooms: $153,654	$381,542
Support for Students at Partner Campuses TAFE Queensland Student Support Services – Health, wellbeing, welfare and student life support for UC students based at TAFE Queensland: $104,481 TAFE NSW Student Support Services – Advocacy, wellbeing, learning support, employability and student life services for UC students studying at TAFE NSW: $9,946	$114,427
TOTAL	$4,505,435

Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

In 2026, all students (except those enrolled in fully online courses) will be charged an initial fee of $279.75. This is typically charged at your first enrolment for the year, before the census date of that teaching period.

Students who remain part-time for the entire calendar year (enrolled in fewer than 18 credit points) will only pay this initial fee.

Students who reach full-time status in the calendar year (enrolled in 18 credit points or more) will be charged a supplementary fee of $93.25, bringing their total SSAF for the year to $373.00.

In 2026, the maximum SSAF for students (excluding those in fully online courses) are:

Student type	Annual fee (maximum)
Full-time student (enrolled in 18 or more credit points in a calendar year)	$373.00
Part-time student (enrolled in fewer than 18 credit points in a calendar year)	$279.75

SSAF for Fully Online Courses

Students enrolled in fully online courses will be charged an initial fee of $209.80. This is typically charged at your first enrolment for the year, before the census date of that teaching period.

Students who remain part-time for the entire calendar year will only pay this initial fee.

Students who reach full-time status (18 or more credit points) during the calendar year will pay a supplementary fee of $69.95, bringing their total annual SSAF to $279.75.

In 2026, the maximum SSAF for students enrolled in fully online courses are:

Student type	Annual fee (maximum)
Full-time student (enrolled in 18 or more credit points in a calendar year)	$279.75
Part-time student (enrolled in fewer than 18 credit points in a calendar year)	$209.80

How is the SSAF charged?

The SSAF is charged progressively based on your enrolment status throughout the calendar year. Below are examples to help illustrate how fees are applied:

• 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 $279.75 for the SSAF in Semester 1, and $93.25 for the SSAF in Semester 2, so the total SSAF charged is $373.00
• 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 $279.75 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 $279.75 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 $93.25 for the SSAF in Semester 2, as she is then deemed to be a full-time student. The total SSAF amount charged is therefore $373.00
• 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 $279.75 for the SSAF in Semester 2 only.
• Ethan is enrolled in a fully online course and enrols in 1 unit (3 credit Points) in Study Block 1 and continues to enrol in 1 unit (3 credit points) in Study Blocks 2-6.  This totals 18 Credit Points for 2026. Ethan will be charged $279.75 in Study Block 1 and $69.95 in Study Block 6 as he will be deemed a full-time student because he enrolled into 18 Credit Points by Study Block 6.
• Hayly is enrolled in a fully online course and enrols in 1 unit (3 Credit Points) in Study Block 2 and continues to enrol in 1 unit (3 Credit Points) for Study Blocks 3-6. Hayly will be enrolled in a total of 15 credit points for 2026. Hayly will only be charged $279.75 in Study Block 2 as she will remain a part-time student.
• Ryan is enrolled in a fully online course and enrols into 2 units (6 credit points) in each of Study Blocks 1, 2 & 3, totalling 18 credit points, Ryan will be charged $279.75 in Study Block 1 and $69.95 in Student Block 3 as he reaches full time status at that point. Ryan  enrols in additional units in Study Block 5 but no further SSAF will be charged, as the full-time rate has already been applied.

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;
• Fully online Domestic and International onshore coursework students (diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate);
• 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
• microcredential courses
• through approved Study Abroad and Exchange arrangements
• a course delivered entirely online to a student residing outside 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.