How the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is used
The student services and amenities funding helps to improve everyone’s student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
On this page:
To get the most out of university life, discover some of the services the SSAF contributes to including:
How much is the SSAF?
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) differs per student. Your SSAF is a pro-rata fee calculated based on a number of factors including your course load, and what mode of study you are undertaking. In 2026, the maximum charge for SSAF was A$373. The Department of Education has advised the maximum annual charge for SSAF in 2027 is A$386.
Your SSAF fee is due on the Census Date of each study period in which you are enrolled.
Calculating your SSAF
Your SSAF is a pro-rata fee calculated based on your course load (number of credit points that you’re enrolled in). Fees are based per course type, whether you are a full-time or part-time student (enrolled in <75 per cent of a full-time load for the year), what mode of study you are undertaking (such as online, Professional Placement, etc.).
Most higher education students are required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). This includes all students who are enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate and UniLink courses. Vocational Education students studying at Diploma level or above also contribute to the Student Services and Amenities fee.
In 2027, SSAF will be calculated up to a maximum of A$386 per year. For Vocational Education students, a breakdown of your SSAF calculation will be provided in your statement of account. In 2026, SSAF was calculated up to a maximum of A$373 per year.
Students studying on a part-time basis cannot be charged more than 75 per cent of the maximum amount that students studying on a full-time basis are charged in a calendar year. Therefore, the maximum SSAF a part-time student can be charged is A$289.50 in 2027. Swinburne cannot round this amount up to $290.
Some students are exempt from paying the SSAF. This includes students enrolled in the following courses or programs:
- vocational education courses (Cert IV courses and below)
- international students living overseas
- international students who commenced their qualification before 1 January 2024, or accepted an offer or received a full offer to commence at Swinburne in 2024 letter prior to 17 August 2023
- Astronomy Online
- exchange (outbound and inbound)
- Study Abroad (outbound and inbound)
- cross-institutional (inbound)
- Open Universities Australia (OUA) — single subject enrolment in a non-award course
- online taught by Industry Partner
- off-campus taught by Industry Partner
- domestic PhD and Masters by Research
- Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) course credits
- humanitarian visa holders
- Swinburne Edge
- UniReady Program.
Fee calculations by course type
2027 fee amounts
| Type of student | Study Load (EFTSL) | Maximum amount |
|---|---|---|
Higher Education students (Associate degree, local undergraduate and postgraduate students, staff, cross-institutional (outbound), scholarship recipients*, Domestic Pathway (UniLink) and Open Universities (OUA) students). |
Less than 0.125 | $0 |
| Less than 0.750 | $289.50 | |
| 0.750 and above | $386 | |
| Vocational Education students (Diploma and above) | Less than 0.125 | $0 |
| Less than 0.750 | $289.50 | |
| 0.750 and above | $386 | |
| International Students** | Any | $386 |
*Scholarship recipients includes VC Scholarships, Dean Scholarships, external Scholarships, sponsored students (local) and Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students.
**Services and Amenities fees are included in tuition fees for international students
2026 fee amounts
| Type of student | Charge per credit point | Maximum fee |
|---|---|---|
Higher education students (Associate degree, local undergraduate and postgraduate students, National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), staff, Cross-institutional (outbound), Scholarship recipients e.g. VC Scholarships, Dean Scholarships, external Scholarships, sponsored students (local), Domestic Pathway (UniLink), Open Universities Australia (OUA) – Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
A$4.464 |
A$373 |
How and when do I pay my SSAF fee?
You need to pay your SSAF fee by the census date of each study period in which you are enrolled. You can find the census for all study periods on our Academic calendar.
Some students may be eligible to defer payment of the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) using a government SA-HELP loan. Learn more about SA-HELP loans.
Please note that for VET Students, VET Student Loan and SA-HELP do not cover SSAF. VET students must pay their SSAF in full by the date on their Statement of Account.
What can the SSAF be spent on?
The federal government states that universities must only use the SSAF funds for specific services. Find out what services the SSAF expenditure may and may not be spent on.
Swinburne may spend SSAF revenue to directly provide a service, to get someone else to provide a service or subsidise a service provided by someone else, or on infrastructure for the provision of a service.
What can't the SSAF funding be spent on?
The fee cannot be used for the provision of academic services, nor can it be used to support political parties or the election of a person to a Commonwealth, State, Territory Parliament or Local Government body.
SSAF Allocations
View past and present SSAF allocations.
Want to know more about the 2027 SSAF allocation process?
Read our 2027 Student Services and Amenities fee allocation process and review student consultations, expectations and priorities for expenditure in 2027.