SSAF

WHAT IS SSAF?

The Student Service and Amenities Fee is a fee charged to students once every semester by the university, and is used to provide non-academic services, including support services, advice and advocacy services, recreational activities and food services. This fee is charged to all students whether or not you use these services. All providers of higher education in Australia are allowed to charge SSAF, but it is up to their discretion if they do and how much they charge.

SA-HELP

SA-HELP is a loan scheme by the Australian Government to defer payment of SSAF, similar to HECSHELP. You can apply for a SA-HELP loan via Sydney Student before the census date - best to do near the start of your enrolment and get it out of the way! Once you apply, you don’t have to apply again throughout your degree unless you change universities. To be eligible for a SA-HELP loan you must be an Australian citizen, or hold a permanent humanitarian visa or a New Zealand Special Category Visa and meet the residency requirements. HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY?

In 2021, USyd will charge $313 in SSAF for full time study, and $234.70 for part time study, both of which will be charged in two equal installments.

General Secretary Priya Gupta gives you a run-down on that pesky semesterly fee you have to pay.

WHERE DOES IT GO?

At USyd, funds from SSAF are pooled and distributed amongst six organisations and services. In 2020, SSAF collected a total of $17.8m and was allocated as below (how exactly we’re not sure, but it sure doesn’t seem to be by need!). • SRC: $1.96m - This is us! Our invaluable services such as legal help and casework are available for free, and our advocacy activities benefit all students. SSAF is our only source of funding. • University of Sydney Union: $5.42m - The

USU is in charge of Clubs and Societies, and runs the food and drink outlets on campus. On top of SSAF, the USU has corporate sponsorships, are paid rent by companies using their faculties, sell merchandise, and have a paid membership model for which grants students discounts on campus. • Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association: $1.97m - SUPRA is the post-graduate equivalent of the SRC. • Cumberland Student Guild: $0.83m -

CGS is the student organisation for the

USyd Cumberland Campus, coordinating clubs and societies, food and drink, social activities etc. • Sydney University Sport and Fitness: $5.60m - Despite SUSF receiving the largest chunk of our SSAF pie, a whopping 2.5x (almost!) as much as the SRC gets, to use their services students must pay both membership and facilities fees, and SUSF also has additional streams of revenue.

PAYING SSAF

SSAF payments in 2021 are due on 2nd June for Semester 1 and 2nd November for Semester 2. You will get a series of emails notifying you that it is due, and linking you to Sydney Student where it can be paid. If you don’t pay your SSAF, sanctions can be placed on end-of-semester marks, meaning that your results will be withheld until it is paid. You can also be prevented from enrolling the next year, so it is best to pay sooner rather than later, whether directly or through the deferral program SA-HELP.

WHY WAS IT IMPLEMENTED?

In 2006, the Howard government removed the policy of Universal Student Unionism, which had previously ensured a regular stream of funding for student organisations through compulsory student contributions. This was replaced by Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) which was a major blow for student organisations throughout Australia, and saw many student unions forced to merge with their university, losing independence. In 2011, the Gillard government introduced compulsory fees in the form of SSAF, but did not mandate that this money go only to student organisations, meaning that organisations like SUSF are able to receive the highest proportion of students’ money.