Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

Understand the annual fee you pay to the University and its impact on your student community.

What is the SSAF?

The Student Services and amenities fee (SSAF) is a compulsory annual fee payable by all students at the University of Melbourne. Generally, all students who are enrolled in 12.5 points or more of study load across the calendar year pay SSAF.

How much is the SSAF?

The amount you pay depends on your study load. In 2023, the SSAF fee will be:

  • Full-time students: $326
  • Part-time students: $244

When do I have to pay my SSAF?

  • Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP): annually, as invoiced by the University.
  • International Students: included as part of your course fee.
  • Graduate researchers: annually, as invoiced by the University.

Read more about SSAF

Background

In October 2011, the Australian Parliament passed legislation to allow universities and other higher education providers to charge a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).  The SSAF was introduced in 2012 and has enabled the University to increase the funds available to provide a wide range of student services and amenities.  Since 2012, the University has regularly sought student feedback and participation in a number of consultations to better inform how the SSAF is allocated to meet their needs. The last consultation was in 2015 for the funding period of 2016-2019.  For 2020-2022 the SSAF funding agreement has been extended and the aim is to have a new agreement in place from 2023 onwards.

What does my SSAF go towards?

Student services and amenities

The University uses the SSAF to provide significant funding to services and amenities for students, such as:

  • The University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU)
  • Melbourne University Sport
  • The Graduate Student Association
  • University Student Services, including Wellbeing and Students@Work
  • Child services.

Ad-hoc projects

SSAF funding can also be used through the SSAF Grant Program, which funds ad-hoc projects that support student-focussed initiatives or contribute to meeting the needs of our diverse student population.

All students can apply for a SSAF Grant

SSAF funds are available to support student-focussed initiatives and projects that contribute to meeting the needs of our diverse student population through our  SSAF grant program.

SSAF Grant Program

Applications for the SSAF Grant Program open twice per year. To apply, you will need to submit a proposal outlining:

  • The benefit for students and the degree of reach of project
  • The extent to which the project addresses a service gap
  • Proposed project outcomes and success indicators
  • The extent to which the project involves collaboration across the University
  • The alignment with key principles of SSAF, including a commitment to represent student groups, cohorts and campuses.

Apply for a SSAF Grant

How the University has allocated SSAF funding

  • 2019–2021

    2019 - 2021 SSAF distribution summary

    Between 2019 and 2021 $56,062,418.55 was distributed.

    Recipient 2019 expenditure (actual) 2019(%) 2020 expenditure (actual) 2020(%) 2021 expenditure (projected) 2021(%)
    Melbourne University Sport $4,289,752.00 22% $3,850,261.00 23% $4,890,051.33 24%
    Children's Services $360,400.00 2% $320,942.68 2% $370,500.72 2%
    UMSU $7,394,291.26 38% $6,353,783.00 38% $8,401,722.73 42%
    GSA $2,856,947.00 15% $2,546,537.00 15% $3,248,669.84 16%
    Theatre Board $0.00 0% $65,000.00 0.4% $65,000.00 0%
    MU Sport: Equity programs $400,000.00 2% $173,050.00 1% - -
    University Student Services (Student Connect, Students @ Work, Wellbeing) $0.00 0% $2,298,562.23 14% $1,847,530.85 9%
    SSAF Grants $3,230,613.78 17% $309,238.09 2% $294,243.36 1%
    Chief Operating Officer Portfolio (Business Services) $863,000.00 4% $761,645.00 5% $870,676.69 4%
    Total expenditure $19,395,004.04 100% $16,679,019.00 100% $19,988,395.51 100%
  • 2016–2018

    SSAF distribution summary

    Between 2016 and 2018 $51,433,737 was distributed.

    Recipient 2016 expenditure (actual) 2016(%) 2017 expenditure (actual) 2017(%) 2018 expenditure (projected) 2018(%)
    Melbourne University Sport $2,558,447.00 16% $3,182,619.00 18% $3,278,098.00 19%
    Children's Services $324,659.00 2% $337,690.00 2% $347,821.00 2%
    MUSUL $885,990.00 5% - 0% - 0%
    UMSU $4,501,025.00 27% $5,865,125.00 33% $6,041,079.00 35%
    GSA $1,937,398.00 12% $2,640,024.00 15% $2,523,525.00 15%
    Advocacy Services (UMSU) $391,822.00 2% $163,150.00 1% - 0%
    Capital Works $5,000,000.00 30% - 0% - 0%
    University Student Services (Student Connect, Students @ Work, Wellbeing) $832,964.00 5% $1,904,215.00 11% $2,318,784.00 14%
    Support for Off-Campus Services $3,010.00 0% - 0% - 0%
    Volunteering - 0% - 0% - 0%
    SSAF Grants - 0% $3,196,262.00 18% $2,000,000.00 12%
    University Services - Corporate Services - 0% $600,000.00 3% $600,000.00 4%
    Total expenditure $16,435,345.00 100% $17,889,085.00 100% $17,109,307.00 100%
  • 2016–2018 by recipient

    SSAF summary of financial distribution by recipient

      2016 2017 2018 budget %
    Student Association
    Graduate Students Association (GSA) 1,937,398 2,640,024 2,523,525 15%
    UMSU inc Student Union Advocacy Service 4,892,847 6,001,275 6,041,079 35%
    Corporate Services for UMSU/GSA (via FES) 885,990 600,000 600,000 4%
    Sub-total 7,716,235 9,241,299 9,164,604 54%
    University
    Children's Services (via Academic Services) 324,659 337,690 347,821 2%
    Student Services (via Academic Services) 832,964 1,904,215 2,318,784 14%
    M.U.Sport 2,558,480 3,182,619 3,278,098 19%
    Off-campus 3,255 -    
      3,719,358 5,424,524 5,944,703 35%
    Sub-total 11,435,593 14,665,823 15,109,307  
    Special grants   3,196,262 2,000,000 12%
    Capital plan grants 5,000,000      
    Total 16,435,593 17,862,085 17,109,307 100%
  • 2016–2018 by purpose
      2016 2017 2018 Budget %
    1. Advocacy and Representation 1,026,970 1,212,749 1,279,146 7%
    2. Careers Advice and Support 423,152 784,457 1,079,445 6%
    3. Creative Arts & Media 1,100,191 1,256,048 1,340,765 8%
    4. Physical and Administrative Infrastructure 4,286,781 4,446,103 4,260,700 25%
    5. Recreation, Fitness and Sport 1,520,798 1,817,315 1,747,432 10%
    6. Skills For Study 257,383 425,001 547,230 3%
    7. Social Connectedness & Participants 2,201,727 2,937,678 3,427,092 20%
    8. Student Support and Welfare 1,164,415 1,324,343 1,391,274 8%
    9. Special Purpose Grants 5,000,000 3,196,262 2,000,000 12%
    Total 16,981,417 17,399,956 17,073,084 100%

     

    2018 Budget GSA UMSU MU Sport University Total %
    1. Advocacy and Representation 299,087 980,059     1,279,146 7%
    2. Careers Advice and Support 153,530     925,915 1,079,445 6%
    3. Creative Arts & Media 10,000 1,330,765     1,340,765 8%
    4. Physical and Administrative Infrastructure 1,176,300 1,476,368 1,008,032 600,000 4,260,700 25%
    5. Recreation, Fitness and Sport 188,577 739,490 819,365   1,747,432 10%
    6. Skills For Study 124,530     422,700 547,230 3%
    7. Social Connectedness & Participants 527,008 785,140 1,450,701 664,243 3,427,092 20%
    8. Student Support and Welfare 8,000 729,528   653,746 1,391,274 8%
    9. Special Purpose Grants         2,000,000 12%
    Total 2,487,032 6,041,350 3,278,098 3,266,604 17,073,084 100%

    2018 SSAF grants budget of allocation pie chart

    2017 actual GSA UMSU MU Sport University Total
    1. Advocacy and Representation 278,701 934,048     1,212,749
    2. Careers Advice and Support 124,238     660,219 784,457
    3. Creative Arts & Media 10,014 1,246,034     1,256,048
    4. Physical and Administrative Infrastructure 1,275,991 1,577,599 992,513 600,000  4,446,103
    5. Recreation, Fitness and Sport 165,581 856,079 795,655    1,817,315
    6. Skills For Study 123,597     301,404 425,001
    7. Social Connectedness & Participants 458,165 611,427 1,394,451 473,635 2,937,678
    8. Student Support and Welfare 5,000 776,088   543,255 1,324,343
    Total 2,441,287 6,001,275 3,182,619 2,578,513 14,203,694

     

    2016 Actual GSA UMSU MU Sport University Total
    1. Advocacy and Representation 203,536 823,434     1,026,970
    2. Careers Advice and Support 94,842     328,310 423,152
    3. Creative Arts & Media 8,700 1,091,491     1,100,191
    4. Physical and Administrative Infrastructure 1,235,524 1,329,825 835,442 885,990 4,286,781
    5. Recreation, Fitness and Sport 111,845 758,094 650,859   1,520,798
    6. Skills For Study 107,502     149,881 257,383
    7. Social Connectedness & Participants 359,844 534,178 1,072,178 235,527 2,201,727
    8. Student Support and Welfare 5,000 715,512   443,903 1,164,415
    Total 2,126,793 5,252,534 2,558,479 2,043,611 11,981,417
  • 2012–2015

    2012 - 2015 SSAF Distribution Summary

    Between 2012 and 2015 $48,264,623 was distributed.

    Recipient 2012 expenditure (Actual) 2012(%) 2013 expenditure (Actual) 2013(%) 2014 expenditure (Actual) 2014(%) 2015 expenditure (Actual) 2015(%)
    Melbourne University Sport $2,280,696.00 22% $2,357,555.00 19% $2,411,610.00 19% $2,483,958.00 23%
    Children's Services $287,462.00 3% $297,149.00 2% $306,063.00 2% $315,203.00 3%
    MUSUL $2,046,910.00 20% $725,949.00 6% $777,728.00 6% $831,059.00 8%
    UMSU $2,436,510.00 23% $3,904,018.00 32% $4,021,140.00 32% $4,141,772.00 38%
    GSA $1,725,868.00 17% $1,772,991.00 14% $1,826,180.00 15% $1,880,967.00 17%
    Advocacy Services (UMSU) $131,492.00 1% $450,315.00 4% $322,521.00 3% $503,757.00 5%
    Capital Works $1,000,000.00 10% $1,000,000.00 8% $1,000,000.00 8% - 0%
    University Student Services (StudentConnect, Students @ Work, Wellbeing) $505,794.00 5% $1,500,000.00 12% $1,585,170.00 13% $855,475.00 8%
    Support for Off-Campus Services - 0% $250,000.00 2% $250,000.00 2% $3,698.00 0%
    Volunteering - 0% - 0% $60,000.00 0% - 0%
    SSAF Grants - 0% - 0% - 0% - 0%
    University Services - Corporate Services - 0% - 0% - 0% - 0%
    Total expenditure $10,414,732.00 100% $12,257,977.00 100% $12,560,412.00 100% $11,015,889.00 100%

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