Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
What is SSAF?
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is a compulsory fee that students pay in each term of enrolment, up to the maximum annual fee.
It is legislated by the Australian government and was introduced to support enhanced non-academic services to students. The government set specific guidelines on what the SSAF funds can be spent on.
The University of Newcastle consults extensively with the student community to determine what services students want. Students have an opportunity to provide input into the SSAF consultation process through the University if Newcastle Students’ Association (UNSA) and the Student Feedback at the University of Newcastle (SFUN) survey conducted every year.
What is SSAF?
How much is SSAF?
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) for 2026 are below:
| Full-time students | $373.00 per year |
|---|---|
| Part-time students | $279.75 per year |
*Students enrolled in Enabling programs are exempt from this fee.
Find out if you are required to pay SSAF fees based on your enrolment type.
How do I pay my SSAF?
See payment options and due dates
What does my SSAF go towards?
The University uses SSAF funds to support non-academic services and amenities for students.
Providing food or drink to students
Helping students access delicious, nutritious meals and drinks at prices that work with their budget
Learn more
Sport and recreation
SSAF funds support student sports clubs, subsidised gym memberships, free pop-up gyms, outdoor exercise equipment and more.
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Administration of a club
Supporting student-led clubs and organisations to deliver activities, events, services, and opportunities that help students connect, build community, and enhance their university experience.
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Health or welfare
SSAF funding helps students access health, wellbeing, mental health, accessibility, and welfare support services, ensuring help is available when it's needed most.
Read more
Employment or advice on careers
SSAF funding helps students build career-ready skills, connect with employers, access personalised career advice, and find employment, placement, and networking opportunities to support their future success.
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Artistic activity
SSAF funding supports creative and collaborative spaces where students can learn, experiment, make, and connect with others, fostering creativity, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging within the university community.
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Skills for study
SSAF funding provides specialised academic skills support for HDR students through tailored workshops and one-on-one consultations that strengthen research capability and student success.
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Advising
SSAF contributes to personalised support through student advisers, providing guidance on academic concerns, university processes, and general student life.
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Advocating
SSAF funds help support student advocacy bodies and services that represent student voices, promote equity, and assist with academic or personal concerns.
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Orientation
SSAF funding supports onboarding and orientation programs that help new students feel connected, informed, and ready to start university.
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Overseas students' welfare, accommodation and employment
SSAF funding helps international students access dedicated support, information, engagement programs, and cultural events that promote wellbeing, connection, confidence, and success throughout their university journey.
Learn more
How do funds get allocated?
In semester 1 each year, the University conducts the Student Feedback on the University of Newcastle (SFUN) survey, where students can give preference on how SSAF funds are allocated across the categories.
In the 2026 SFUN report, the top preferences ranked by students were:
| Category | % of respondents | Examples of initiatives funded through SSAF in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Providing food and drink | 55.5 | Sustain Me Created in direct response to student feedback and funded through the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), Sustain Me is all about making everyday campus life easier. Students told us they wanted more affordable and healthy food options on each campus, and we listened. Now bigger than ever, Sustain Me has expanded across participating campus retailers, making meals under $10 available across multiple food outlets and locations. |
| Help obtain employment or career advice | 39.6 | Careers Expos and Career Peers Through personalised career advice, job application support, employability resources, and career planning assistance, students can access practical guidance at every stage of their career journey. Students can also connect directly with employers through career expos and networking opportunities, gaining valuable insights into industry expectations, employment opportunities, placements, and career pathways. These experiences help students build professional networks and make informed decisions about their future. |
| Promoting health and welfare | 38.8 | Campus Care Accessibility and Inclusion Support Peer Mental Health Support After-Hours Mental Health Support University Health Services |
Per standard process, the 2026 Allocation Report will be available in early 2027 detailing actual expenditure.
Students can also provide feedback through AskUON or through their student representative at UNSA.
Discover detailed insights on SSAF allocations from previous years in the comprehensive SFUN report.
SSAF allocation by area
2025
| # | Area | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providing food or drink to students on a campus of the provider | $626,695 |
| 2 | Supporting students’ sporting or other recreational activities | $1,180,242 |
| 3 | Supporting the administration of a club most of whose members are students | $586,912 |
| 4 | Caring for children of students | $509 |
| 5 | Providing legal services for students | $0 |
| 6 | Health or welfare services | $2,914,831 |
| 7 | Helping students to secure accommodation | $2,750 |
| 8 | Helping students to obtain employment or advice on careers | $678,864 |
| 9 | Helping students with their financial affairs | $115,183 |
| 10 | Helping students to obtain insurance against personal accidents | $0 |
| 11 | Supporting debating by students | $20,288 |
| 12 | Providing libraries and reading rooms, other than those provided for academic purposes for students | $346,664 |
| 13 | Supporting an artistic activity by students | $182,545 |
| 14 | Supporting the production and dissemination to students of media whose content is provided by students | $63,812 |
| 15 | Helping students develop skills for study, by means other than undertaking courses of study in which they are enrolled | $638,349 |
| 16 | Advising on matters arising under the provider’s rules, however described | $807,133 |
| 17 | Advocating students’ interests in matters arising under the provider’s rules, however described | $904,115 |
| 18 | Giving students information to help them in their orientation | $227,171 |
| 19 | Helping meet the specific needs of overseas students relating to their welfare, accommodation and employment | $555,339 |
| 20 | Other | $82,292 |
| Total | $9,933,694 |
2024
| # | Area | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providing food or drink to students | $84,135 |
| 2 | Sport and recreation | $866,332 |
| 3 | Administration of a club | $1,719,033 |
| 4 | Caring for children of students | $0 |
| 5 | Providing legal services for students | $0 |
| 6 | Health or welfare | $2,664,684 |
| 7 | Helping secure accommodation | $0 |
| 8 | Employment or advice on careers | $759,104 |
| 9 | Helping with financial affairs | $106,242 |
| 10 | Helping students obtain insurance | $0 |
| 11 | Debating | $17,776 |
| 12 | Libraries and reading rooms | $437,554 |
| 13 | Artistic activity | $381,954 |
| 14 | Student media | $0 |
| 15 | Skills for study | $624,235 |
| 16 | Advising | $304,081 |
| 17 | Advocating | $566,133 |
| 18 | Orientation | $218,189 |
| 19 | Overseas students’ welfare, accommodation, and employment | $434,355 |
| Total | $9,183,807 |
2023
| # | Area | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providing food or drink to students | $386,512 |
| 2 | Sport and recreation | $1,320,315 |
| 3 | Administration of a club | $370,248 |
| 4 | Caring for children of students | $4,345 |
| 5 | Providing legal services for students | $1,000 |
| 6 | Health or welfare | $2,487,931 |
| 7 | Helping secure accommodation | $63,250 |
| 8 | Employment or advice on careers | $602,175 |
| 9 | Helping with financial affairs | $17,701 |
| 10 | Helping students obtain insurance | $0 |
| 11 | Debating | $15,783 |
| 12 | Libraries and reading rooms | $629,607 |
| 13 | Artistic activity | $180,310 |
| 14 | Student media | $65,000 |
| 15 | Skills for study | $553,851 |
| 16 | Advising | $180,000 |
| 17 | Advocating | $620,309 |
| 18 | Orientation | $435,466 |
| 19 | Overseas students’ welfare, accommodation, and employment | $480,565 |
| Total | $8,414,368 |
SSAF Allocation Report
Discover detailed insights on SSAF allocations and actual expenditure from previous years.
Latest news from SSAF funded projects and initiatives
Sustain Me
Eating well at university shouldn't cost a fortune. Sustain Me is an initiative created specifically for students, providing affordable, nutritious, and sustainably produced meals.
Careers and Employability Activities
Discover how Careers and Employability initiatives can equip students—especially those from diverse and equity backgrounds—with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to secure meaningful employment.
Central Coast Campus Activities
Learn how Central Coast Campus initiatives foster connection, engagement, and belonging through dynamic, inclusive activities that enrich student life beyond academics.
Placement Support and Pre-Placement Reimbursement Grant
Find out how College placement initiatives, alongside the SSAF-funded Pre-Placement Reimbursement Grant, have helped reduce financial barriers, improve placement readiness, and boost student wellbeing.
Food Services — LC Deli Subsidised Offering
Find out how ongoing student feedback has led to the development of a subsidised food offerings LC Deli.
Gallery Workshops — Creative Wellbeing and Cultural Connection
Learn about how SSAF supports 'The Gallery' to offer safe, culturally rich, and creative spaces to support student wellbeing , cultural awareness, and community connection.
HDR Student Services Support — Academic and International Student Success
Discover the initiatives that support and strengthen academic development, equity, and inclusion for higher degree by research (HDR) students.
International Student Support — Onboarding, Engagement, and Accommodation
Learn how the International Student Support (ISS) program have assisted our international student cohort including safe arrivals, social engagement, practical support and more.
Library Services — Student Support, Peer Engagement, and Wellbeing
Read how the Library delivers a broad range of student-centred services designed to enhance academic success, connection, and wellbeing.
NUsport — Sports, Wellbeing, and Engagement
See how our NUsport programs have delivered a wide range of activities to promote student wellbeing, engagement, and active lifestyles.
Communications Support and Engagement for International Students
Learn how the Communications Support and Engagement Officer plays a vital role in enhancing the experience of international students at the University of Newcastle.
PASS — Peer Assisted Study Sessions
Discover how the Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) program has provided undergraduate students with a supportive, peer-led learning environment where they can compare notes, discuss difficult concepts, and develop study skills in a judgement-free space.
Respectful Communities — Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Education
Learn how the Respectful Communities program has continued to deliver critical education and initiatives that raise awareness and prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment.
School of Education — Teaching Transitions Program
Read more about how the Teaching Transitions program supports Education students in preparation for their teaching profession.
Student Engagement — Welcome, Events, and Student Support
See the range of programs that have been delivered by Student Engagement that support student onboarding, connection, and success.
School of Law and Justice — Mooting and Professional Development
Explore the key highlights from the Mooting for Law Students program, along with other impactful initiatives from the School of Law and Justice.
Student Wellbeing — Summary of Key Activities and Impact (Q1 2025)
Learn how Student Wellbeing has continued to support and enhance student safety, health and overall wellbeing.
UNSA — Student Services
Explore the diverse programs, services and events that UNSA has successfully delivered throughout the year.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.