Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

What is the Student Services and Amenities Fee?

How much will I be charged for the SSAF in 2013?

How much will I be charged for the SSAF in 2012?

How do I apply for SA-HELP assistance?

To whom does the Student Services and Amenities Fee apply?

Student Consultation

Distribution of SSAF in 2013

Distribution of SSAF for 2012

Further Information & FAQs

Introduction

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) from 1 January 2012 (see the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Act 2011).

The Student Services and Amenities Fee is intended to provide a significant increase in the level of funding available to student services and amenities at tertiary institutions. In practice, this will mean an increase in the quality and quantity of the services available to students at this University.

Under the legislation, the fee may only be used to fund the following services:

• providing legal services to students
• promoting the health or welfare of students
• helping students obtain employment or advice on careers
• helping students with their financial affairs
• helping students obtain insurance against personal accidents
• supporting the production and dissemination to students of media whose content is provided by students
• helping students develop skills for study, by means other than undertaking courses of study in which they are enrolled
• advising on matters arising under the University's rules (however described)
• advocating students' interests in matters arising under the University's rules (however described)
• giving students information to help them in their orientation
• helping meet the specific needs of overseas students relating to their welfare accommodation and employment
• providing food or drink to students on a campus of the University
• supporting a sporting or other recreational activity by students
• supporting the administration of a club most of whose members are students
• caring for children of students
• helping students secure accommodation
• supporting debating by students
• providing libraries and reading rooms (other than those provided for academic purposes) for students, and
• supporting an artistic activity by students.

Universities can either deliver the services and amenities themselves or contract a third party to deliver the services and amenities on their behalf.

Student Services and Amenities Fee - 2013

Students enrolled in an Academic Program on a full-time or part-time basis will be charged a Student Services and Amenities Fee.

• Students enrolled full-time will be charged an annual fee of $273. Full-time enrolment is defined as enrolment in at least 75% (18 units or more) of a normal full-time study load in an Academic Year.
• Students enrolled part-time will be charged an annual fee of $204. Part-time enrolment is defined as enrolment in less than 75% (less than 18 units) of a normal full-time study load in an Academic Year.
• The normal full-time study load for an Academic Year at The University of Adelaide is 24 units of study.

Students enrolled in less than 75% of a normal full-time study load at their first due date (e.g. first term of enrolment in 2013) will be charged a part-time fee of $204.  If students are subsequently enrolled in further studies in another term increasing the study load to greater than 75%, a 'top-up fee' of $69 will be charged at the due date for the term of enrolment.

Due dates for 2013 are dependent on each student's individual enrolments in 2013.

The due date is the date the Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable.  It is also the last day to submit the Request for SA-HELP assistance form. 

If the Request for SA-HELP assistance form is not completed on or before the due date a student will not be eligible for SA-HELP assistance to defer the Student Services and Amenities Fee and payment of the fee must be made in full to the University. 

After the payment due date of each term of enrolment no refunds will be processed for SSAF.  Further there is no capacity under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 for the provider to remit a SA-HELP debt incurred by a student, therefore any SA-HELP debt at the due date will also remain.

The first due date for 2013 will be the due date as listed in the table above for a students first enrolment in 2013. The study load for subsequent enrolled courses through to Term 4 2013 will be accumulated to determine whether a student has reached a total study load of at least 75% of a normal full-time load (18 units or more). If so, the 'top up fee' of $69 will be charged to increase the fee to the full-time fee of $273. If the study load is 75% (18 units) or more the full-time fee of $273 will be payable. If the study load is less than 75% (17 units or less) the part-time fee of $204 will be payable.

 For example;

Wendy is enrolled in 3 units in Regular Session of Summer School 2013 and 12 units in Semester 1 2013. Wendy will be charged a part-time fee of $204 due on 25 January 2013. As the accumulated study load in 2013 is less than 75% the 'top up fee' is not charged.

Frank is enrolled in 12 units in Semester 1 2013 and 12 units in Semester 2 2013. Frank will be charged a part-time fee of $204 due on 31 March 2013. As the accumulated study load reaches 75% of a full-time study load in Semester 2 2013 the 'top up fee' of $69 will be charged with a due date of 31 August 2013.

John is enrolled in 6 units in Trimester 1 2013, 6 units in Trimester 2 2013 and 6 units in Trimester 3 2013. John will be charged a part-time fee of $204 due on 22 February 2013. As the accumulated study load reaches 75% of a full-time study load in Trimester 3 2013 the 'top up fee' of $69 will be charged with a due date of 27 September 2013.

The Student Services and Amenities Fee is indexed annually.

Key Notes:

1. The above due dates, time periods and amounts apply to 2013 only.

2. Students enrolled in less than 75% of a normal full-time study load at their first term of enrolment will be charged a part-time fee of $204. If students subsequently enrol in further studies, increasing the load to greater than 75% in 2013, a 'top-up fee' of $69 will be charged at the due date for the term of enrolment.

Student Services and Amenities Fee - 2012

Students enrolled in an Academic Program on a full-time or part-time basis will be charged a Student Services and Amenities Fee.

• Students enrolled full-time will be charged an annual fee of $263. Full-time enrolment is defined as enrolment in at least 75% (18 units or more) of a normal full-time study load in an Academic Year.
• Students enrolled part-time will be charged an annual fee of $197. Part-time enrolment is defined as enrolment in less than 75% (less than 18 units) of a normal full-time study load in an Academic Year.
• The normal full-time study load for an Academic Year at The University of Adelaide is 24 units of study.

Therefore, students enrolled in less than 75% of a normal full-time study load at 31 August 2012 (21 September 2012 for students enrolled in Trimesters) will be charged a part-time fee of $197.  If students subsequently enrol in further studies, increasing the load to greater than 75% in 2012, a 'top-up fee' of $66 may be charged at 21 September 2012.

Enrolment Terms charged at each due date for 2012 are dependent on each student's individual enrolments in 2012 and may include:

The due date is the date the Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable.  It is also the last day to submit the Request for SA-HELP assistance form. 

If the Request for SA-HELP assistance form is not completed on or before the due date a student will not be eligible for SA-HELP assistance to defer the Student Services and Amenities Fee and payment of the fee must be made in full to the University. 

After the payment due date of each study period no refunds will be processed for SSAF.  Further there is no capacity under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 for the provider to remit an SA-HELP debt incurred by a student, therefore any SA-HELP debt at the due date will also remain.

The first due date for 2012 is 31 August 2012. The study load for enrolled courses through to Semester 2 2012 will be accumulated to determine whether a student will be charged a full-time Student Services and Amenities Fee or a part-time Student Services and Amenities Fee.  If the study load is 75% (18 units) or more the full-time fee of $263 will be payable. If the study load is less than 75% (17 units or less) the part-time fee of $197 will be payable.

For example;
Wendy is enrolled in 12 units in Semester 1 2012 and 12 units in Semester 2 2012. Wendy has a study load of 24 units and will be charged a full-time fee of $263.

Frank is enrolled in 6 units in Semester 1 2012, 3 units in Winter School 2012 and 6 units in Semester 2 2012.  Frank has a study load of 15 units and will be charged a part-time fee of $197.

The second due date for 2012 is 21 September 2012. If a student is enrolled in a trimester based program the due date for the Student Services and Amenities Fee is 21 September 2012. 

For example;
John is enrolled in 3 units in Trimester 1 2012, 3 units in Trimester 2 2012 and 3 units in Trimester 3 2012.  John has a study load of 9 units and will be charged a part-time fee of $197.

Sandra is enrolled in 6 units in Trimester 1 2012, 6 units in Trimester 2 2012 and 6 units in Trimester 3 2012.  Sandra has a study load of 18 units and will be charged a full-time fee of $263.

Jill is enrolled in 6 units in Trimester 3 2012.  This is Jill's first enrolment for 2012.  Jill will be charged a part-time fee of $197.

The Student Services and Amenities Fee is indexed annually.

Key Notes:

1. The above due dates, time periods and amounts apply to 2012 only.
2. If you are due to complete your program mid-year you may not be charged the Student Services and Amenites Fee for 2012. 

3. Students enrolled in less that 75% of a normal full-time study load at 31 August 2012 may be charged a part-time fee of $197.  If students subsequently enrol in further studies, increasing the load to greater than 75% in 2012, a 'top-up fee' of $66 will be charged at 21 September 2012.

SA-HELP

Australian citizens and permanent humanitarian visa holders will be eligible to defer their Student Services and Amenities Fee to a SA-HELP loan through the Australian Government. The SA-HELP loan will be recorded as a HELP debt with the Australian Taxation Office. If a student has an existing HELP debt (HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP) with the Australian Taxation Office the SA-HELP loan will be added to the existing HELP debt.

Eligible students will be required to complete a Request for SA-HELP assistance form. The Request for SA-HELP assistance form will be available for completion online in ACCESS ADELAIDE. 

An eligible student who has applied for SA-HELP will be able to pay all or part of the Student Services and Amenities Fee to the University by the due date and any balance will be deferred to SA-HELP.

A student is only required to apply for SA-HELP once for each program of study. If a student is admitted to a new program of study and wants to defer the SSAF to SA-HELP the Request for SA-HELP assistance form must be completed.

Permanent residents, New Zealand citizens and international students are not eligible for SA-HELP and are required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee in full by the due date.

Please note that SA-HELP is a separate application from HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP. To defer your Student Services and Amenities Fee to SA-HELP you must apply for SA-HELP in Access Adelaide.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) have further information on SA-HELP available at www.studyassist.gov.au.

To whom does the Student Services and Amenities Fee apply?

Students enrolled in an Academic Program on a full-time or part-time basis will be charged a Student Services and Amenities Fee.

The following students will not be charged a Student Services and Amenities Fee in 2013:

• International Students who commenced their program of study prior to 2013
• Higher Degree Research students
• Non-award students
• Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training (VET) Programs
• Students studying cross-institutionally at The University of Adelaide
• Students enrolled in an offshore program
• Students enrolled in a program that is offered exclusively in an online or distance education mode of delivery.  In the event students are enrolled in an on-campus program, and any or all of the individual courses are offered and/or studied externally, the SSAF will remain payable
• International Students undertaking an Exchange program at The University of Adelaide 

Student Consultation

The University will again undertake a two phase consultation process with students. The first phase will involve consultation with democratically elected student representatives as required under the Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines.  This consultation will be carried out through the SSAF Consultative Committee which was established in 2011.  This committee comprises student representatives from the Adelaide University Union (AUU), Clubs Association, Student Representative Council, international and postgraduate student representatives as well as Adelaide University Sport (AUS). 

The AUU and AUS will be asked to submit SSAF funding requests on behalf of all groups on the committee.   They will be asked to take committee discussions into account when forming these submissions. 

The Consultative Committee will also be asked to highlight areas of priority which fall under the control of the University.  This input will be used by the University when determining which University services and amenities to fund.

The second phase of student consultation will involve surveying all students regarding priorities for allocation of the SSAF.

Distribution of the SSAF for 2013 

The University will determine the allocation of the SSAF for 2013 taking into account the results of the student consultation. SSAF Funding for 2013 will be posted on this web site in early 2013. 

Distribution of the SSAF for 2012

After consultation with student representatives and results from the student survey, the SSAF Funding for 2012 was allocated as follows:

Adelaide University Union
Funding from the SSAF will allow the Adelaide University Union to expand its service offering for students, including:
• Employing more Education & Welfare Officers to provide advocacy and support services;
• Delivering accredited training programs on campus through Employment Services;
• Making more funding grants available for student clubs;
• Providing an expanded event program for international and postgraduate students;
• and much more!

The AUU has offices located at all three campuses.

For more information about the full service offering of the AUU please visit www.lifeoncampus.org.au.

If you have any specific questions regarding the SSAF funding for the AUU, please contact us at auu@adelaide.edu.au.

Adelaide University Sport
Funding from the SSAF assists Adelaide University Sport in providing a number of services to students in relation to sport outcomes. For example, nearly 40 clubs, covering recreational, traditional, martial arts, adventure and social sports; sport promotional events on campus; University Games (both regional and Australian) and SA Challenge organisation; scholarships for students; sports insurance arrangements for students; maintenance of sport facilities; club grants for development, venue hire and equipment, to name just a few.

For more information about AUS please visit www.theblacks.com.au.

If you have any specific questions related to AUS funding, please email sports@adelaide.edu.au.

Sport Facilities Funding
This funding is for the Graduates Clubroom project (a key project within the Sports Facility Plan 2010-2020). The new Grads clubroom will provide a modern 'home' for seven sporting groups for the first time. The building, within Park 10 in the north parklands, will include a viewing area and change rooms.

University Student Services Funding

With the provision of student hubs being the number one area of priority identified in the student survey, an allocation was made to provide an expansion of services in Hub Central.

The SSAF Consultative Committee felt that it was important to support services on other campuses such as Waite and Roseworthy. As a result $130,000 has been allocated to improve facilities for students at Roseworthy, with a focus on the netball/ basketball/ tennis court area. At Waite, $80,000 will be allocated to assist with the redevelopment of the ground floor area of McLeod House into a student service area and to expand the gym.

Students rated health and welfare as a high priority in the survey. With mental health problems having a significant impact on student academic performance, conduct, completion, retention and wellbeing, this was seen as a priority. An amount of $100,000 has been allocated to develop interactive resources to support good mental health and wellbeing for students on campus. This new service will develop accessible web based resources specifically targeted to support University of Adelaide students to build capacity, resilience and to support their wellbeing.

If you have any questions related to SSAF Funding for these University projects, please email response@adelaide.edu.au.

 Further Information

Further information can be found at the University's Ask Adelaide FAQs section.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) have further information on SA-HELP available at www.studyassist.gov.au.