
At UNSW, the money that you contribute to the Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF) is spent on a whole range of support and engagement activities that help to make life at UNSW the best possible experience.
Whether you're a domestic or international student, studying in Australia or overseas, undergraduate or postgraduate, we want to ensure that you make the most of the services and supports made possible via the SSAF funding.
SSAF funding in 2022 & 2023
In 2022 the allocation of funds continued to fund major UNSW student support services such as:
- mental health and broader wellbeing support
- careers advice
- a suite of different services to help students with study skills and advice and progress through their degree.
Post COVID-19, UNSW has shifted its focus of SSAF spending to ensure that we are supporting students' orientation and transition back to campus. In 2022 and continuing into 2023, SSAF-funded programs have helped welcome our students back to campus.
Additionally, UNSW continues to use SSAF funds to enhance the physical infrastructure of student campus life with projects such as:
- the sporting precinct at the Village Green
- Quad Food Court
- the new bar and café at the Village Green opening April 2023.
Our major single expenditure of SSAF in 2023 continues to be to support the UNSW student organisation Arc.
You can learn more about the details of SSAF supported programs and services by accessing the SSAF Management Committee and Governance and check out the full expenditure table.
Got questions about how, what, or when to pay? Check out our SSAF FAQs.

Mental Health Connect is your gateway to access mental health support. It is a free and confidential service available to all UNSW Sydney students, including those living overseas.
By accessing Mental Health Connect, students will be supported into the service they need at the current time. These may be other supports provided by UNSW or by external providers.

The Village Green is being transformed into a brand-new world-class sport and leisure environment with facilities for playing multiple sports, exercising, socialising and relaxing on campus.
An important aspect of this project is the upgrade of the below ground stormwater infiltration tank. This will capture campus stormwater, contribute to recharging the Botany Aquifer, and provide a substantial source of sustainable water supply on campus.
Expected completion is from September 2022.

ARC GRANT
A grant of $250,000 is provided to Arc from the SSAF each year. In 2021, this will be used to support clubs, sporting activities, student wellness campaigns, food programs, legal advice and much more.

Training and Workshops
The UNSW Health team runs a range of training sessions and workshops throughout the year. Whether you want to get your Mental Health First Aid accreditation, or just want to pick up some skills to manage your stress, they have something for you!

Career advice
The UNSW Careers team is dedicated to connecting you with career-building opportunities. Check out their online resources and events, or book yourself in for a one-to-one online career advice consultation.

UNSW Health Services
The UNSW Health Service has a team of highly experienced doctors, specialists and health professionals available to help you with any concerns you have about your health and wellbeing. They offer both face-to-face and telehealth appointments.
COVID-19 Response

Health & wellbeing
- Transition to online and after-hours support for health consults
- Increased access to online exercise and wellbeing activities

Career & student support
- Transition to online and after-hours support
- Peer support: increased access to online training and resources

Orientation
- Transition to online onboarding activities and processes
2021 Key Areas of Investment

Health & wellbeing
- Subsidised health consults for international students
- Free flu vaccines for all students

Career support
- Employment support
- Career advice

Student support
- Counselling
- The Nucleus
- Academic advice
2020 Key Areas of Investment

Health and wellbeing
- Free flu vaccinations for all students
- Subsidised health consults for international students

Sport and active recreation
- Village Green redevelopment
- Upgrade to sports grounds
- Subsidised gym membership for students
- Bicycle masterplan: workshop, storage, changing facilities

Security
- Shuttle
- Escort services
- Stay safe app

Venues and events
- Subsidised venue hire for student groups on campus
- Extended library opening hours: open 24/7 during term time

Student spaces
- Student relaxation and breakout spaces in the library

Career support
- Advice
- Career expo
- Employment support

Childcare
- Reduced childcare fees for students who are caring for children

Student support
- Counselling
- The Nucleus
- Academic advice

Outdoor improvements
- More outdoor seating space
- Power access in outdoor spaces
- Student murals on campus
SSAF Management Committee and Governance
The SSAF Management Committee was established in 2019 to consult with the democratically elected student representatives, major student organisations and relevant UNSW Officers to identify priorities in line with the legislative guidelines, establish mechanisms for expenditure and approve annual spend. Neil Morris, Director Student Wellbeing, is Chair of the Management Committee.
The SSAF Management Committee membership is student-dominated and includes elected student leaders to ensure that requirements of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 are met. The Committee has, amongst its functions, SSAF compliance with the Act and the effective and efficient decision-making and monitoring of overall SSAF performance.
In addition, the Committee identifies ways to better promote SSAF expenditure, internally and externally to students and how the support and services the SSAF finances improve student experience and well-being at UNSW.
Consistent with its statutory obligations, the Management Committee will prepare a report to University Council later in 2023.
The Committee normally meets 4 times a year but has determined to meet on six (6) occasions in 2023 to review expenditure and identify and prepare SSAF commitments for 2024.
2023 updates
One of the key functions of the Committee for 2023 will be to approve an Arc survey / heat map to attempt to get a full picture of students' views of the SSAF supported services and importantly where they want to see future investments.
SSAF activities for 2023 were reviewed at the Management Committee meeting in December 2022, and the decision was made to keep funding allocation mostly similar to 2022. However, that meeting also endorsed a $255,000 additional spend to Arc to support:
-
Food hub
-
Supporting Clubs
-
Activities like movie nights, sport comps and lunchtime concerts
-
Student leadership training.
The full Arc funding request can be seen at this link.