Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) Grant Program

2026 SSAF Grant Round will be Open 09 March 2026, 9AM, and Close 12 April 2026, midnight.

Funding Available up to $20,000 maximum may be awarded per project.

SSAF Grants are one-off funding, with no repeat funding available in subsequent rounds.

Please read the 2026 Guidelines carefully as many changes have been implimented.

Apply Here

The University is committed to understanding and meeting the needs of a diverse student population, and ensuring that all have an experience of lasting quality and enrichment. SSAF funds enable a wide range of initiatives, determined in collaboration with students, in support of this commitment.

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) Grant Program supports projects that address one or more of the areas detailed in the Australian Government's Higher Education Legislation.

Specifically, SSAF Grant funding must be spent on one or more of the following:

• Provide food or drink to students on a campus of the higher education provider;
• Support a sporting or other recreational activity by students;
• Support the administration of a club most of whose members are students;
• Care for children of students;
• Promoting the health or wellbeing of students;
• Provide legal services to students;
• Help students secure accommodation;
• Help students obtain employment or advice on careers;
• Help students with their financial affairs;
• Help students obtain insurance against personal accidents;
• Provide libraries and reading rooms (other than those provided for academic purposes) for students;
• Support an artistic activity by students;
• Support the production and dissemination to students of media whose content is provided by students;
• Help students develop skills for study, by means other than undertaking courses of study in which they are enrolled;
• Advise on matters arising under the higher education provider’s rules (however described);
• Advocate for students’ interests in matters arising under the higher education provider’s rules (however described);
• Give students information to help them in their orientation;
• Help meet the specific needs of overseas students relating to their welfare, accommodation and employment.

The 2026 SSAF Grant round has seen significant changes, please read the Guidelines carefully. Please reach out to ssaf-grants@unimelb.edu.au should you have any questions.

Download 2026 SSAF Grants Program Guidelines

In making its decision, the two tier Selection Committee will consider:

1. Innovative and feasible Grant Project idea.
2. The extent to which the project addresses a student need or current service gap within the community.
3. Demonstration of an ability to engage and consult with the student community (if applicable).
4. Demonstration of the extent to which the project is student-centered/designed.
5. Demonstration of evidence/or inquiry-driven approach.
6. Applications that demonstrate strong cross-collaboration across the university and its communities, and alignment with the following strategies, or SSAF Domains will be viewed favorably:
   1. Alignment with University strategy and student experience goals (including the Advancing Melbourne 2030 Plan).
   2. Commitment to consultation with student-related groups and engagement of students as partners in   decision making.
   3. Commitment to addressing equity and diversity goals. Equity and Diversity goals can be found in the Advancing Melbourne 2030 Plan.
   4. Widening Participation and a commitment to representation of student groups, cohorts and campuses.

If you are successful in your SSAF Grant Program application, the reporting requirements will typically be a two-step process and includes a:

• Progress Report:
  • A brief SmartyGrants form is sent to Project Leader/Applicant requesting to date expenditure and highlighting of any challenges, during the course of the project (refer to Guidelines). For projects with an expenditure $7000>.
• Acquittal Report:
  • An in depth SmartyGrants form sent to the Project Leader/Applicant requesting full expenditure, qualitative and quantitative information proportional to the spend of the project. This must be completed at the conclusion of your project (refer to Guidelines).
• Variation Request Form:
  • An brief SmartyGrants form available to the Project Leader/Applicant to apply for a change of direction or expenditure required if there are major variations to the successfully funded project/activity (refer to Guidelines).

• 2026 SSAF Grant Program Recipients
• 2025 SSAF Grant Program Recipients
• 2024 SSAF Grant Program Recipients
• 2023 SSAF Grant Program Recipients
• 2021 SSAF Grant Program Recipients
• 2020 SSAF Grant Program Recipients
• 2016-2019 SSAF Grant Program Recipients - Chancellery

The Impact Grant Team has created a comprehensive self paced guide of all things Grants.

https://catalog.lms.unimelb.edu.au/browse/communities/courses/impact-grants---fund-your-idea

The modules will support you in applying for the University of Melbourne Impact Grants; tthroughout the whole application, outcome, and delivery of your project, you will be guided with each corresponding step by our easily digestible modules.

As well as our Grants Team; who are here to provide end-to-end support on key grant guidelines knowledge, project eligibility, as well as further guidance, including (but are not limited to):

• grant project consultations (anything from 'filling in an application' to 'acquittals')
• funding landscape (deciding which Grant aligns with your project best to apply for)
• feedback and advice for applications and outcomes
• project guideline and eligibility support
• general grant information
• provide information sessions for upcoming grants

You can also see the available SSAF FAQs 

At any time you can BOOK a Consultation with the Grants Team

For any further clarification, assistance and/or advice on the current SSAF Grant rounds, application support; please contact the Impact Grants Team: ssaf-grants@unimelb.edu.au

At any time you can BOOK a Consultation with the Grants Team

For any queries relating to projects funded prior to 2020, please contact Chancellery (Academic)

• Student Services and Amenities Fee Grant Info-graphic Q4 2025
• Student Services and Amenities Fee Grant Info-graphic Q2 2025
• Student Services and Amenities Fee Grant Info-graphic Q4 2024
• Student Services and Amenities Fee Grant Info-graphic Q2 2024
• Student Services and Amenities Fee Grant Info-graphic Q4 2023 Report
• Discover UniMelb Grants Info-graphic