Student services and amenities fee
The student services and amenities fee (SSAF) is a fee charged by higher education providers within Australia to help with student services and facilities that aren’t directly linked to your studies.
At Murdoch, we use SSAF funds to provide and expand on services which enhance your university experience, including health and counselling services, careers and employment advice, sport and recreation facilities, and much more.
The amount you’ll pay depends on if you’re a full or part-time student, and which campus you study at. Eligible domestic students can defer this payment with an SA-HELP loan. For payment options see paying your fees.
2022 student services and amenities fee
| Course enrolment | Part-time fee per half year | Full-time fee per half year (For students studying 9 points or more) |
|---|---|---|
| Murdoch campus | $78.50 | $157.50 |
| Mandurah/Rockingham campus | $59.00 | $118.00 |
| Fully external | $39.00 | $39.00 |
How the fee is spent
Murdoch University has a formal process of consultation with the Murdoch Student Guild, with both the President and General Manager of the Guild sitting on the SSAF Committee.
The Murdoch Student Guild is a democratically elected body through which you can provide your voice to how SSAF is spent.
The SSAF is not a fee for Guild membership. The Guild has been the primary student voice in deciding how to allocate the SSAF funds, and will provide a range of services (such as education and welfare assistance, club support, campus events and sports and recreation) as outlined in SSAF legislation. Additionally, the Guild receives 50% of the SSAF to provide a range of services for Murdoch University students. In recognition of the financial cost of SSAF, Guild membership is free for all students.
The priorities for the University expenditure consists of supporting:
- health and counselling services;
- sports and recreation;
- Esports;
- welfare; and
- projects as submitted and approved by the SSAF Committee to improve the quality of your University experience.
If you have relevant projects, please contact the Director, Student and Library Services for more information on whether your project may be considered for funding and how to apply.
See how SSAF funds were allocated in 2021:
Total 2021 Expenditure: $3,295,110 excludes allowance for doubtful debt
| Funds allocated to | Amount (AUD) | Percentage | Key initiatives in this area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health & Counselling | $500,000 | 15% | Health and Counselling services promote wellbeing and resilience through individual counselling, group workshops, intra-unit support, university-wide initiatives and online resources. |
| Careers | $250,000 | 8% | The Careers team support student employability and career development through individual consultations, group workshops, training, industry events, the Career Connect portal and more. |
| Student Success | $150,000 | 5% | Student Success enhance the student experience for all students. Initiatives include new student orientation, academic and welfare support, one-on-one support and many other resources. |
| Sports & Recreation | $300,000 | 9% | Sports and Recreation provide sports clubs, university representative teams, on-campus social sports, interfaculty sports competitions an on-campus sports and recreation centre and the Murdoch Active Gym. |
| SSAF funded Initiatives | $159,408 | 5% | Support for special projects in Health & Counselling and Student Success. |
| Guild | $1,935,702 | 59% | The key initiatives information is available in the Guild SSAF expenditure breakdown table. |
Guild SSAF Expenditure breakdown
| Funds allocated to | Amount (AUD) | Percentage | Key initiatives in this area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guild Executives and Council | $218,670 | 7% | Guild council |
| Office Administration | $395,447 | 12% | Guild head office administrative support. |
| Student projects & events | $301,367 | 9% | Festival Days, Stamp out stress day, Club grants, student diary and multicultural Day. The guild supports many on and off campus events that significantly contribute to student life beyond the lecture theatre. |
| Student welfare | $283,244 | 9% | Food bank, airport pick-ups, book subsidy, emergency assistance and job ready expenses. |
| Student hub & volunteering | $97,923 | 3% | Volunteering, MIM and MSEL program. |
| Commercial Support | $118,400 | 4% | Support for special projects in Health & Counselling and Student Success. |
| Capital Spend | $76,748 | 2% | |
| Guild 's fund carry forward | $443,903 | 13% |