Frequently asked questions

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) enables Australian Universities to receive a contribution towards the extensive costs of providing student services, facilities and amenities. Prior to 2007, these were funded by what was then known as the General Services Fee (GSF). This fee had been charged to students from the commencement of La Trobe in the 1960's. In 2006, the GSF was $365 for a full-time student.

The fee's history dates back to the 19th century, when Student Unions were first formed at Australian universities to provide students with facilities to socialise outside their formal study environment. Legislation was passed in late 2005 by the then Liberal Government, but was not implemented until the beginning of the 2007 academic year, which meant that this fee was no longer allowed.

For the five year period since 2007, most Australia universities, including La Trobe, used their core teaching and research funding to cover some of the costs of providing student services, amenities and facilities. In 2011 for example, La Trobe spent approximately $4 million covering a range of student services. The SSAF will restore funding for essential campus services, facilities and amenities and enable universities to concentrate their funding on teaching and research.

Yes, the SSAF is applied to all undergraduate and postgraduate students at La Trobe University.

The SSAF will be displayed on your Statement of Account, which will be sent to your preferred correspondence address and will also be available via StudentOnLine.

Australian citizens and holders of Permanent Humanitarian Visas will be eligible to take out a loan for the fee under the Government introduced SA-HELP loan program. Those students who are not eligible for SA-HELP will be required to pay their SSAF upfront.

Yes, if you are an Australian citizen or holder of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa and wish to defer your Student Services and Amenities Fee you will need a Tax File Number when filling out your SA-HELP Form.

If you do not have a valid Tax File Number you can apply for one via the Australian Taxation Office website at: www.ato.gov.au

Students who withdraw from their course of study on or before the census date (i.e. from all subjects of study) will not be liable for the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Therefore, if the SSAF was paid upfront, you will be eligible for a full refund; if you opted to obtain a SA-HELP loan, you will no longer be liable.

Yes, all students who are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) must pay the fee. Students are encouraged to use the services, facilities and amenities provided.

Students who are charged the SSAF must pay or request SA-HELP within the due date set by the University as failure to do so may result in a sanction against your enrolment. If your enrolment is sanctioned you will be unable to access results and grades, receive an Academic Transcript, be conferred with your degree or re-enrol in your course.

When you pay the SSAF or submit a request for SA-HELP, this sanction will be removed.

The international student tuition fee will cover the cost of the SSAF; no additional fee will be levied on onshore international students. Offshore international students will be exempt from the fee.

All students are welcome to provide their views, comments or feedback on the proposed SSAF expenditure priorities by e-mailing student-services@latrobe.edu.au

For general administrative enquiries, call the La Trobe University Student Hub on (03) 9479 2005 or e-mail fees@latrobe.edu.au