SSAF FAQs

USU/University Negotiations and Student Services and Amenities Fee

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the SSAF?

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) was introduced by federal legislation that allows the University to charge students a compulsory fee of up to $263. The funds are paid directly to the University and can only be spent on non-academic services and amenities.

There are two crucial points to this legislation:

  1. The University decides how the money will be spent. The University is legally obligated to consult with student representatives but is not required to allocate any money to student organisations such as the USU.
  2. The SSAF is not a return to compulsory student unionism. It is still entirely voluntary to join the USU and other student organisations.
2. What is the process for allocating the SSAF for 2013?

Under the SSAF legislation the University is required to conduct extensive consultation of the student body with regards to SSAF revenue expenditure. This includes the student survey sent out on Friday 1 June asking students to rate the nineteen eligible areas of SSAF expenditure.

Once the consultation process is completed, the University will release a list of priorities for expenditure in early August. Students will be able to comment on these priorities before the University calls for funding submissions from the student organisations in September.

Funding allocations will be decided by the Budget Allocation Committee based on merit, and the final recommendations will be presented to the Senior Executive Group for ratification on 25 October.

3. Will the USU receive any automatic funding for 2013?

No. The USU must negotiate with the University to receive SSAF funding. As discussed above, the decision lies with the SSAF Budget Allocation Committee and the Senior Executive Group of the University.

The USU, along with other student organisations, will be invited to submit a "SSAF Funding Submission" on 18 September. This is after the University has identified priorities for the proposed fee expenditure (which will be published on the University's website in early August). The priorities are determined based on the 1 June survey feedback they will receive.

The USU hopes to work with the University for a long-term commitment and sufficient funding to provide a Universal Access Benefits scheme for all students on campus.

4. What will be in the USU’s submission for 2013 funding?

The USU’s main priority for SSAF funding is to provide free Access Cards to all students as part of the Universal Access Scheme.

The USU believes free and universal Access Cards will allow all students on campus to realise the true value of their SSAF payments by receiving significant discounts both on and off campus, as well as giving all students the opportunity to involve themselves in the USU’s award-winning student experience. From Clubs & Societies, to leadership opportunities and a huge range of social, cultural and intellectual student programs; a free USU Access Card in the hands of every SSAF-paying student on campus will remove the barriers to a full and inclusive student experience here at the University of Sydney.

To achieve this, however, the USU requires substantially more funding than the 2012 allocation, and the commitment of a multi-year funding agreement from the University.

5. How was the SSAF spent in 2012?

The University established a SSAF Budget Allocation Committee to decide how the $10.5 million in SSAF funds was to be spent. This committee was chaired by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Derrick Armstrong, and the members are Director of Corporate Finance Matt Easdown, Dean of Health Sciences Professor Gwynnyth Llewellyn and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy & Services) Professor Shane Houston.

This committee considered the submissions from the various student organisations on campus and allocated the funds with reference to the five priorities of expenditure as chosen by the University:
  • Orientation
  • Advocacy and Information
  • Health, Welfare and Career
  • Clubs and Societies and other student led activities; and
  • Facilities
The 2014 fee was allocated as follows:

SRC......................$1,510,000

SUPRA..................$1,148,000

CSG......................$714,897

SUSF.....................$4,060,000

USU.......................$3,241,000

Student Support Services $296,103

Capital Sinking Fund $2,000,000

TOTAL..................$12,970,000

The remaining SSAF funds, of approximately $1.147 million, were placed in a Sydney Life Fund.

Click here for more information about how the fee is allocated and the Sydney Life Fund.

6. What has the USU spent its 2012 SSAF allocation on?

In 2012, the allocation the USU received (see table above) was the equivalent to the Service Level Agreement (more details here) which the University had provided post-VSU so the USU could cover necessary administration and maintenance costs. This arrangement concluded at the end of 2011.

The 2012 allocation was termed ‘transitional funding’ and was recognised as a ‘one-off arrangement’ due to the drastic budgetary model changes brought about by the new legislation. This arrangement will cease after 2012.

The 2012 allocation meant the USU could consolidate its businesses but opportunities to expand or pursue further investments are limited. One area the USU has been focusing on in 2012 as a result of the SSAF is better resources for students studying at the affiliate sites.

7. Do I have to pay the SSAF?

The SSAF is a compulsory fee, however eligible students can delay payment under the SA-Help Scheme (similar to HECS).

8. Are all students automatically USU members because of the SSAF?

No. The Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) Act from 2006 is still in effect meaning the SSAF does not subsidise union membership. The USU will operate as it has done since VSU, in providing a membership service with an annual fee used to directly fund its student programs and services, as well as the Access Card Benefits Program, which provides discounts on and off campus.

When compulsory unionism was in effect (before 2007), the cost to students was approximately $500 per year. The SSAF is significantly less and will be charged by the University on a semester basis (According to the University website, the fees will be $131.50 per semester for full time students and $98.62 per semester for part time students).

9. Why do we still have to pay for an Access Card?

Voluntary Student Unionism is still in effect and in order for the USU to provide all our programs, we must still operate an Access program for membership, as we have done since 2007. The USU is a non-profit organisation, with all the income generated from membership fees going back into the delivery of huge student programs and member benefits. As outlined in Q6, the funding received by the USU meant it was not able financially to offer free Access Cards.

10. Can I join Clubs and Societies without being an Access / Union member?

No. The Clubs and Societies Program is run and funded by the USU. Joining the Access Program allows you to join Clubs and Societies as well as gain access to the other programs such as student leadership positions, competitions, discounts and more.

11. If I have already bought a union membership for 3-5 years, will my Access Card still be valid?

Yes. The Access Cards will still give you all the great benefits you have been receiving including C&S membership and discounts on and off campus.

12. Why are the USU and University no longer negotiating?

The USU and University have been in formal negotiations over the control of commercial operations since the beginning of 2010, and both parties worked towards a mutually-agreeable outcome.

Compromise positions such as a joint venture business structure to manage the commercial operations were proposed by both parties in an attempt to resolve the negotiations. However, by 31 December 2011 the University and the USU were unable to reach an agreement on an offer that was acceptable to each party. On 25 January, the Vice-Chancellor announced in a letter that the negotiations had formally concluded. On Monday 6 February 2012, the Vice-Chancellor notified the University of Sydney Senate that the proposed takeover was no longer being pursued.

13. Who is running the commercial operations now?

The USU continues to operate all of its food and beverage services including Manning and Hermann’s Bar, as well as the various retail outlets. Revenue derived from these commercial operations will continue to fund the USU’s student programs and services. The USU is committed to improving the quality of our commercial services.

As you may recall, the University also terminated the joint venture agreement which allowed the USU’s functions business, The Venue Collection (TVC), to book University of Sydney Venues such as the Great Hall, MacLaurin Hall, Law building and Eastern Avenue. Despite termination of that agreement, the USU continues to operate The Venue Collection for functions held within USU spaces in Wentworth, Manning and Holme Building, but the loss of University venues has detrimentally impacted upon the operating contribution of TVC back into the student services.

14. Is the USU financially sustainable and secure?

Yes, for 2012 at least. The USU received $3.184 million in funding under the SSAF, which is equivalent to the in-kind funding received under the Service Level Agreement which expired at the end of last year.

The USU is pursuing several expansion programs as a result of receipt of the SSAF funds, including Universal Access, the possibility of a student-run gallery at SCA and greater staff support for international students and the affiliate campuses.

We also have secure occupation of our three buildings; Manning, Wentworth and Holme Building, as per the USU’s Occupation License which expires in 2017, with an option to continue occupation until 2026.

15. Where do I go to find out more about the USU/University negotiations from 2011?

The USU has compiled a reference guide of all the relevant correspondence and documents pertaining to the negotiations. We have several copies for members and alumni to browse by coming to the Union Offices, Level 5, Holme Building during business hours.

You can also contact a Board representative via Facebook, Twitter, email, or on this blog itself with any questions or comments.
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