As an ex-student rep, I spend a lot of time reading the rants page to get a better understanding (and truly honest) commentary on student’s experiences across all the campuses. I found a common motif in many of your complaints, questions and queries you want to know about SSAF.
What your SSAF is, what your SSAF goes to and what you get out of it. So, let’s break it down.
What is SSAF
SSAF stands for Student Services Amenities Fee, it is a part of your fees you pay each year as a Western Sydney University student.
The amount you are charged, per half year, will depend on your Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL) each session. The maximum fee is $303.00 per year for full time students. Lower fees apply for students doing less than a full time load in the half year period. The fees apply to all students including The College students and international students, the only students exempt are students undertaking their entire degree overseas at another University.
Here at Western Sydney University, we want to ensure that the SSAF fees are being used to improve student life, the facilities and buildings on campus, the things important to students! However, there are limitations on what SSAF can be spent on these include:
- Giving out free food and drink to students on a campus.
- Supporting a student’s sporting and creative activities, health and welfare of students, funding clubs’ and providing a budget to the SRC.
- Student media, including this publication.
- Programs through the careers team which helps students develop skills for study, by means other than undertaking courses of study in which they are enrolled.
- Helping students with their financial affairs, including free legal services, accommodation assistance and childcare.
- Helping students obtain insurance against personal accidents.
- Supporting debating by students.
- Providing libraries and reading rooms (other than those provided for academic purposes) for students.
- Supporting the production and dissemination to students of media whose content is provided by students.
- Advocating students’ interests
(Hate to break it to you, but parking is not on the list!)
How to pay up-front or defer your SSAF
Paying SSAF upfront You will need to view your SSAF eSOA to check the amount you need to pay and for the payment methods. To access your SSAF eSOA:
- Log in to My Student Records (MySR)
- Go to Fee Records, click on ‘Statement of Account’
- Go to the drop-down box and select ‘Services and Amenities – SSAF (Western Sydney University students)’ and click the ‘Display SOA’ button
The easiest and quickest way to pay your SSAF is through the Onestop payment system. Other payment methods are also listed on the paying your fees page (Western Sydney University, 2020).
Deferring your SSAF
If you are eligible and want to apply for SA-HELP to defer your SSAF to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) you need to take the following steps:
- Log in to My Student Records (MySR).
- From the homepage, go into ‘Enrol.
- If you have more than one course showing, select your current course.
- Go to the Government Forms step and select the ‘SA-HELP’ form.
- Select the ‘Defer SA-HELP’ button.
- Complete and submit the form, ensuring you enter your Tax File Number (TFN).
If you haven’t paid or deferred your SSAF by the due date, you will have to pay up front even if you were eligible to defer and will not be able to see your results until payment is received. If you don’t pay your SSAF a block will be placed on your record meaning you won’t be able to see vUWS, see your exam results, access the library facilities, IT or even graduate – so paying SSAF is very important.
What has the money gone to in the past?
- The Lead Program
- The PASS Program
- The Free Soup Kitchen
- Free Breakfast
- Campus Life Events
- Out and About
- Mental Health Promotions
- Sports
- WSUP
- Student Experience (International College and The College)
- Childcare subsidies
- Student Legal Services
- Respect.Now.Always
Student feedback is critical to how SSAF operates – the university won’t know how you want to spend YOUR fees if you are not focal about it. If you have a fab idea, then approach your SRC or Campus Life Officer to talk about it or email your proposal here: SSAFpriorities@westernsydney.edu.au
