Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

Legislation was passed in 2011 to allow universities to provide students with services and amenities of a non-academic, non-political nature that enrich the student experience and improve chances of success. The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is charged to students to fund these services and amenities.

Activities and services include orientation, advocacy, counselling, careers advice, study skills, community-building and recreational activities enhancing wellbeing. Consultation with students is a key feature of both the legislation and UNE’s vision.

The UNE Student Committee (UNESC) conducts an annual SSAF survey to identify student priorities, respond to individual student enquiries and make recommendations to UNE’s SSAF Committee to prioritise SSAF expenditure. The 2023 SSAF survey revealed that students believe the most important SSAF-funded categories are:

  1. Health & Welfare (14%)
  2. Employment & Careers (13%)
  3. Study Skills (11%)
  4. Financial Affairs (8%)
  5. Accommodation Help (7%)
  6. Advocating students interest (6%)

Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) at UNE

Who needs to pay the fee?

From Trimester 1, 2019 all domestic and international students studying on-campus and on-line have been liable for the fee, including:

  • Domestic On-Campus and Online Coursework Students
  • Domestic On-Campus and Online Research Students
  • International On-Campus

The following students are exempt from paying the fee:

  • Students from another institution, studying under a cross-institutional arrangement
  • International Exchange students
  • Pathways Enabling Course students

How much is the fee and when do I pay?

The fee will be invoiced per unit that you are enrolled in. The SSAF is due on the Census Date for each Trimester, at the same time as other course fees. You can find the relevant dates on the Principal Dates page

What happens if I don't pay?

Failure to either pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee or complete an SA-HELP form by the Fee Payment or Census date will result in access to the following services being suspended:

  • Academic Transcripts
  • Awarding your Testamur at Graduation

Billing

You will be invoiced up front (separately from your course fees) at the beginning of each term you are enrolled. Once the SSAF bill is generated you will be notified via email that your SSAF bill is available in myHub.

Payment options

Students must pay the SSAF up front or apply for a SA-HELP loan if eligible, by the payment due date.

SA‐HELP is a loan scheme that can assist eligible students by deferring student services and amenities fees through the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP). Find out if you are eligible for SA‐HELP at the following website: www.studyassist.gov.au.

Refunds

For information on refunds of the SSAF, visit Student Fees Refund Procedure.

What services and amenities are offered at UNE?

Vice-Chancellor has approved the expenditure of $3,409,425 of student fees collected through the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

The 2024 SSAF budget expenditure has been prepared in consultation with student representatives and subsequently endorsed by the Student Services and Amenities Fee Committee (SSAFC). If you have comments or questions regarding the allocation of the SSAF budget, please email askune@une.edu.au.

The SSAF budget plans for expenditure across 10 key areas with a variety of individual activities, resources and events being delivered across these areas. The breakdown SSAF budget plans can be viewed here.

The University holds a partnership with UNE Life who deliver SSAF funded projects. For 2024 UNE Life has been allocated $1,517,898 for the delivery of amenities and services in the following categories:

  • Food & Beverage
  • Sport & Recreation
  • Health & Welfare
  • Advocating Interests
  • Student Media
  • Orientation
  • Clubs
  • Employment & Careers
Having Your Say on SSAF – UNE Student Council (UNESC)

At UNE, the UNE Student Council (UNESC) is the democratically elected group of students representing student interests and providing direct input into allocation of SSAF Fees. The UNESC conducts an annual SSAF survey to identify student priorities, respond to individual student enquiries and make recommendations to UNE’s SSAF Committee to prioritise SSAF expenditure.

There is an UNESC representative on this committee, and a UNE representative regularly attends UNESC meetings to facilitate communication throughout the year. Individual students can also provide direct feedback about SSAF to askune@une.edu.au.

The UNESC can also help students propose and manage new SSAF activities which must fall under one of the 19 specific categories listed in the legislation. Proposal documentation is available by contacting askune@une.edu.au.

Frequently Asked Questions

You will find FAQs on the SSAF (generally) at Student Services and Amenities Fee - Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government (dese.gov.au). Alternatively, email askune@une.edu.au.

Further questions? Contact the UNESC or askune@une.edu.au.

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Legislative Instruments and Guidelines

Further information about SSAF can be obtained from the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

Student Services and Amenities Fee Annual Reports

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) supports the provision of a range of non-academic services and facilities for students of the University of New England. The annual report provides an overview of the implementation of the fee and the use of funds throughout the year.

Am I eligible for SA-HELP?

SA-HELP is a loan scheme that can assist eligible students by deferring student services and amenities fees through the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP). If you use SA-HELP, your fees will be added to your accumulated HELP debt. If eligible, you may be able to use SA-HELP, even if you do not have
an existing HELP loan.

To be eligible for SA-HELP loan, you need to:

  • To be eligible for a SA‑HELP loan, you need to:
    • be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent humanitarian visa;
    • be a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder who meets the long-term residency requirements;
    • be enrolled in a course of study with a university;
    • meet the tax file number (TFN) requirements by giving your university either your TFN (if your information is not assessed as correct by the ATO, your application will not be finalised and you will be ineligible for a SA-HELP loan) or a Certificate of application for a tax file number from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO); and
    • lodge your Request for SA‑HELP assistance form by the date advised by your university.

To apply for SA-HELP assistance, please complete and submit the form provided in the myUNE student portal under the myEnrol Tab. The SA-HELP form must be returned by the due date for the relevant teaching period.

Further information about SA-HELP can be found at Study Assist.

SSAF Survey Reports
DESE Allocation Reports

Please click on the below link for access to the 2022 UNE SSAF DESE Allocation Report:

2022 UNE SSAF DESE Allocation Report

Student Services and Amenities Fee Schedules

2024 Student Services and Amenities Fee Schedule

The table below details the 2024 Student Services and Amenities Fees applicable to each enrolment type:

Enrolment Type

Per 6 credit points*

Notes

Domestic coursework (including, sub-degrees, honours, non-award, OUA)

$43.80

$350.40 for Equivalent Full Time Enrolment Fee

Deferral of the fee to SA-HELP is available for eligible students

Higher Degree Research (Domestic & International)

$131.40 Per Research Period for Full Time


$65.70 Part Time

Deferral of the fee to SA-HELP is available for eligible students

International on campus students

$43.80

$350.40 for Equivalent Full Time Enrolment Fee

SSAF is payable per Study Period on the Census Date of each study period

2023 Student Services and Amenities Fee Schedule

The table below details the 2023 Student Services and Amenities Fees applicable to each enrolment type:

Enrolment Type

Per 6 credit points*

Notes

Domestic coursework (including, sub-degrees, honours, non-award, OUA)

$40.50

$324.00 for Equivalent Full Time Enrolment Fee

Deferral of the fee to SA-HELP is available for eligible students

Higher Degree Research (Domestic & International)

$121.50 Per Research Period for Full Time


$60.75 Part Time

Deferral of the fee to SA-HELP is available for eligible students

International on campus students

$40.50

$324.00 for Equivalent Full Time Enrolment Fee

SSAF is payable per Study Period on the Census Date of each study period