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 (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$50,000SSAF partially funds the Glider Bus service

Total

$8,382,818

 

2022

AreaFunding committedNotes

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 AreaSavingsInitial 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