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Student Services and Amenities Fee
From 1 January 2012, a new Student Services and Amenities Fee will be introduced for students at all Australian universities, including USC. This fee is a result of the Federal Government passing the Student Services and Amenities Fee Legislation on 11 October 2011.
This legislation allows all universities to charge students a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), up to a maximum of A$263 per year, from 1 January 2012. It will be indexed on an annual basis.
What is the SSAF?
Monies raised from the fee will directly benefit students. It will enable USC to improve access to a range of campus services, including:
- sporting and recreational activities
- employment and career advice
- financial advice
- food services
- counselling services
- legal services
- health services
- housing services
It will also provide financial assistance to independent student representation bodies.
What was the consultation process?
All students were invited to comment on the types of services and facilities that will be funded through the SSAF.
Submissions were received from the Student Guild, USC Golden Key, and members of the Vice Chancellor’s Student Liaison Committee.
A student focus group was held and all students were sent a survey to identify priorities for SSAF expenditure.
The results of these consultations are detailed below.
How will the funds raised from SSAF be spent?
All of the Student Services and Amenities Fee funds will be used for improving student services and facilities, and in accordance with the funding guidelines.
The SSAF initiatives, identified through student consultation, in order of highest priority are:
- Food services
- Financial assistance and services (eg financial literacy workshops)
- Health and welfare
- Employment and careers services
- Student clubs and societies
- Study skills services
- Libraries and reading spaces
- Student insurance
- Legal services
- Sport and recreation
For further information about allocation of the SSAF or to provide comment around current or future SSAF priorities, please contact the Director of Student Services, Dr Eva-Marie Seeto
How much will I be charged in 2012?
In 2012, USC will levy the SSAF according to the total enrolment load of a student. The maximum SSAF any student will pay will be A$260. Refer to the schedule of fees.
Who pays the SSAF?
All students, including international students (with the exception of the student groups listed below) enrolled in semester / session with a census date after 1 March 2012 will pay the SSAF. For international students in 2012, these costs have been included within the International Tuition Fee rates.
The following groups of students will not pay SSAF in 2012:
- Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP)
- Headstart Program or Integrated Learning Engineering Program
- Higher Degree by Research students
- Go Program Enrolments
- Offshore Students studying at TPAF or SEGi group of colleges in Malaysia
- Cross Institutional Enrolments (where USC is the host institution)
- Visiting students
How do I pay the SSAF?
You will be able to view your SSAF invoice in USC Central from early January 2012. If you change your enrolment you will need to generate an updated invoice.
SA-HELP Loan
Australian citizens and holders of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa residing in Australia are eligible to take out a SA-HELP loan for the fee under a HELP scheme, similar to HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP. For more information refer to SA-HELP.
Up-front payment
All other students are required to pay the fee directly to the University by the due date. Refer to the Academic Calendar for key administrative dates.
Stay informed
Further information on the SSAF, including the implementation and consultation process, will be provided. Check this page periodically for updates.
Keep up to date on the SSAF by:
- Checking your USC student emails at least twice a week.
- Reviewing the To Do list in USC Central for more information.
More information
SA-HELP information booklets are available from Student Administration. Online information is also available on the DEEWR Student Services and Amenities Q and As page.