How SSAF is used
SSAF helps fund a range of services across all campuses and every year, your voice helps us determine where the money goes and shapes the future of your university.
La Trobe can either deliver the services and amenities ourselves, or we can contract a third party to deliver the services and amenities on our behalf. Our major third party providers include:
How SSAF is used and the delivery of services
SSAF funds are used by the Student Unions and Associations to provide services for all students including:
- Student events and activities
- Student Advocacy
In addition to services run by the Student Unions and Associations, the Students Portfolio of the University uses SSAF funds to support a number of areas across the University such as:
It’s important to remember that this funding helps to improve everyone’s student experience at La Trobe University. You may use many, or some, of these services and amenities that the SSAF funds.
The legislation prohibits the use of the fee to support a political party (a group which has, as one of its objectives, the election of a candidate endorsed by the group or by an organisation of which the group forms a part, to the Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government body).
SSAF can also be used for:
- accommodation support
- careers/employment support and advice
- insurance against personal accidents
- student debating
- providing libraries/reading rooms (other than for academic purposes)
- supporting artistic activities of students
- producing and sharing student-made media with students
- academic skill development, outside of a course of study
- advising on University rules and policies (however described)
- advocating students' interests in matters arising under the University's rules (however described)
- orientation information
- supporting overseas students in their welfare, accommodation and employment.
Current SSAF expenditure
2024
Area | Funding committed |
|---|
Clubs and Societies* | $671,069 |
Employability* | $278,188 |
Glider Bus* | $50,000 |
International Student Travel Concessions* | $80,000 |
La Trobe Sport* | $830,000 |
La Trobe Student Association (including Food Relief)* | $520,800 |
La Trobe Student Union (including Advocacy Service and Food Relief)* | $1,039,600 |
Legal Advice and Financial Counselling | $134,966 |
Library Services (including the Learning Hub, Peer Learning Advisors and Studiosity)* | $1,785,481 |
Student Engagement* | $233,502 |
Student Mental Health and Wellbeing (including Safer Communities)* | $2,431,174 |
| Student Partnership* | $643,926 |
Total | $8,698,706 |
|---|
* The University provides additional funding for this service
Past SSAF expenditure
SSAF funds in previous years have been allocated as below:
2023
Area | Funding committed | Notes |
|---|
LTSU | $1,000,000 | This funding includes Advocacy service
and Food Relief |
LTSA | $505,000 | This funding includes Food Relief |
Student Engagement & Partnerships | $869,119 | This funding is in addition to a further
$3,802,000 allocated by the University |
Employability | $263,849 | This funding is in addition to a further
$2,700,000 allocated by the University |
Clubs and Societies | $729,500 | This funding is in addition to a further
$350,000 allocated by the University |
Student Mental Health and Wellbeing | $2,356,750 | This funding is in addition to a further
$4,000,000 allocated by the University |
Legal Advice and Financial Counselling | $220,750 | |
The Learning Hub & Studiosity | $1,493,850 | The University provides additional
funding for this service |
La Trobe Sport | $800,000 | The University provides additional
funding for this service |
International Student Travel Concessions | $25,000 | |
Healthcare Clinic | $69,000 | |
| Glider Bus | $50,000 | SSAF partially funds the Glider Bus service |
Total | $8,382,818 | |
|---|
2022
| Area | Funding committed | Notes |
|---|
LTSU | $305,000 | |
LTSA | $325,000 | |
Advocacy | $425,000 | |
Student Engagement & Partnerships | $827,730 | This funding is in addition to a further
$1,500,000 allocated by the University |
Employability | $251,285 | This funding is in addition to a further
$950,000 allocated by the University |
Clubs and Societies | $713,000 | |
Student Mental Health and Wellbeing | $2,244,524 | This funding is in addition to a further
$6,000,000 allocated by the University |
Legal Advice, Financial Counselling, and Food Relief | $230,000 | |
The Learning Hub & Studiosity | $1,368,170 | The University provides additional
funding for this service |
La Trobe Sport | $750,000 | The University provides additional
funding for this service |
International Student Travel Concessions | $25,000 | |
Healthcare Clinic | $69,000 | |
| Total | $7,533,709 | |
|---|
2021
Area | Funding committed |
|---|
Student Organisations | $2,475,000 |
Learning Hub | $940,000 |
La Trobe Sport | $750,000 |
Maths & Science Hub | $375,000 |
International Student Travel Concessions | $50,000 |
Healthcare Clinic | $69,000 |
Student Partnerships, Student Engagement and Excellence Academy | $950,000 |
Student Health & Wellbeing | $270,000 |
Student Advising Program | $1,305,490 |
Employability & Work Integrated Learning | $335,000 |
Total | $7,546,490 |
|---|
2020
Teaching periods in 2020 were affected by changes due to COVID-19, including moving classes off-campus. We responded to this and the SSAF by:
- The University reduced SSAF by 75% over the year to support students, however not all SSAF was able to be waived as essential SSAF funded services, such as counselling and learning support, need to continue. With the shift to remote learning there has been considerable increase in appointments for counselling and wellbeing support, as well as increased demand for the Learning Hub.
- The University committed to funding the student associations 50% of their 2020 expected allocation ($2.062 M)
| Service Area | Savings | Initial Allocation |
|---|
| Change the Course Project | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| La Trobe Sport | $700,000 | $1,280,000 |
| Campus Life | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Glider Bus | $50,000 | $67,000 |
| Student Wellbeing and Counselling | $100,000 | $1,107,985 |
| Student Concessions | $60,000 | $95,000 |
| Learning Hub and Learning Support | $60,000 | $762,044 |
| Student Advising | - | $685,460 |
| Employability | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Student Partnerships | $12,000 | $62,511 |
| Total | $1,112,000 | $4,290,000 |
|---|
| Offset savings from within DVCS portfolio | $1,900,000 | |
|---|
| Total savings by La Trobe University | $3,012,000 | |
|---|
2019
Areas | $ (2019) |
|---|
Total for distribution | $8,499,599 |
|
Student bodies |
|---|
LTSU | $2,999,920 |
BSA | $1,162,228 |
WSA | $295,592 |
Student bodies total | $4,457,740 |
|
University areas |
|---|
Allowance for International student concession payments | $100,000 |
Division of Student Success | $1,290,000 |
La Trobe Sports | $1,381,859 |
Student Services and Administration | $1,270,000 |
University areas total | $4,041,859 |
|---|
2018
| Areas | $ (2018) |
|---|
| Total for Distribution | $8,886,901 |
| | |
| Student bodies | |
|
LTSU
|
$2,999,920
|
|
BSA
|
$1,162,228
|
|
WSA
|
$295,592
|
| Student bodies total | $4,457,740 |
|---|
| | |
| University Areas | |
|
Sports
|
$1,293,772
|
|
Children's Centre
|
$290,000
|
|
Campus and Student Life
|
$222,000
|
|
Health and Wellbeing
|
$2,596,838
|
|
National Framework for Student Partnership in University Decision-Making and Governance
|
$25,000
|
| University Areas Total | $3,133,838 |
|---|
| | |
| Total Allocated | $8,885,350 |
|---|
2017
| Areas | $ (2017) |
|---|
| Initial Forecast | $ 8,500,000 |
|---|
| Cost for University Contribution to Travel Concession Card scheme | $ 350,000 |
|---|
| Total for Distribution | $ 8,150,000 |
|---|
| |
|---|
| Student bodies | |
|---|
| LTSU | $ 2,925,666 |
| BSA | $ 1,183,290 |
| WSA | $ 292,429 |
| Student bodies total | $ 4,401,386 |
| | |
| University Areas | |
| Sports | $ 1,280,963 |
| Children's Centre | $ 378,750 |
| Campus and Student Life | $ 660,000 |
| Health and Wellbeing (including Indigenous Counselling) | $ 650,000 |
| Student Enrichment and Employability | $ 750,000 |
| University Areas Total | $ 3,719,713 |
| | |
| Total Allocated | $ 8,121,099 |
