Fees and payments
Fees vary based on your student type, so it's important to find the right fee information. Learn more
What is SSAF?
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is a fee charged to all Higher Education students, whether you study online or on-campus. SSAF helps CDU provide non-academic services and supports to students and to deliver projects and activities that improve your experience as a student.
The fee may be used to fund things such as sporting and recreational activities, employment and career advice, wellbeing and student support initiatives, advocacy, student groups and food services.
Find out more about SSAF at the Australian Government Department of Education page.
Using SSAF at CDU
At CDU, SSAF is used to fund a huge range of services, supports, initiatives and events for students.
In 2025, SSAF is broken up into four main categories:
- Campus Life includes events on campus, Orientation, the Campus Activation team and Student Groups.
- Student Leadership and Advocacy includes the Student Council, Student Leaders, Your Voice Student Network and the Advocacy officer.
- Wellbeing includes Counselling, Access and Inclusion and Safer Communities.
- Careers includes the Careers Centre.
The proposed breakdown of SSAF funding for 2026 will be based on student feedback about SSAF funding priorities in consultation with the CDU Student Council. Watch this space.
When you see this logo, you know that SSAF funds have helped to bring that project to life.
SSAF Allocation Report
You can find out more about what SSAF funds have been used over the years in the yearly Allocation Reports.
Who decides what SSAF is spent on?
- CDU students and staff work together to decide how SSAF funds should be spent each year.
- The CDU Student Council, as the peak representative body for students at CDU, works closely with the Student Engagement Team to discuss needs of students and funding priorities when the SSAF budget is drafted each year.
- A student survey, open all year, captures direct student feedback about priorities and preferences for SSAF funding.
- Data from key sudent surveys are also analysed to identify areas of need as well as student feedback through university committees, service delivery usage and demand, event attendance and enrolment data analysis.
Do you have ideas on how you would like to see SSAF funds spent? Share your thoughts now.
Paying SSAF
All domestic Higher Education students must pay SSAF each semester during their studies at CDU.
Paying SSAF
All international (including international exchange) students must pay SSAF each semester during their studies at CDU.
SSAF fee rates
SSAF is calculated and charged progressively for each teaching period, based on your enrolment (study load) within an academic year.
2026 SSAF Fee rates - Coursework
The 2026 SSAF value for domestic and international coursework is $46.00 per 10 credit points and the maximum fee that will be charged will be $368. See the table below.
| Number of Credit Points (CP) | SSAF Charge |
| 10CP | $46.00 |
| 20CP | $92.00 |
| 30CP | $138.00 |
| 40CP | $184.00 |
| 50CP | $230.00 |
| 60CP | $276.00 |
| 70CP | $322.00 |
| 80CP and above | $368.00 |
2025 SSAF Fee rates - Coursework
The 2025 SSAF value for domestic and international coursework is $45.00 per 10 credit points and the maximum fee that will be charged will be $360. See the table below.
| Number of Credit Points (CP) | SSAF Charge |
| 10CP | $45.00 |
| 20CP | $90.00 |
| 30CP | $135.00 |
| 40CP | $180.00 |
| 50CP | $225.00 |
| 60CP | $270.00 |
| 70CP | $315.00 |
| 80CP and above | $360.00 |
2024 SSAF Fee rates - Coursework
The 2024 fee value for domestic and international coursework is $43.00 per 10 credit points and the maximum fee that will be charged will be $344.00. See the table below.
| Number of Credit Points (CP) | SSAF Charge |
| 10CP | $43.00 |
| 20CP | $86.00 |
| 30CP | $129.00 |
| 40CP | $172.00 |
| 50CP | $215.00 |
| 60CP | $258.00 |
| 70CP | $301.00 |
| 80CP and above | $344.00 |
How to pay SSAF
- As a domestic student, you can choose to pay the fee upfront or if you are eligible, defer the payment through an SA-HELP loan. Log into your MyStudentInfo account to pay your SA-HELP or to complete the SA-HELP loan (step 7) to defer your fees.
- Please be aware that there are two types of loans available: the HECS-HELP, which covers tuition fees and the SA-HELP loan, which covers the Student Amenities Fee. To defer your payments, you need to complete the application for the appropriate loan. Make sure you choose the HECS-HELP loan for tuition fees and the SA-HELP loan if you want to defer the Student Amenities Fee. See also: Am I eligible for a SA-HELP loan?
How to pay SSAF
All international student fees need to be paid in full by the census date for each teaching period. Please see Compliance and enrolment
Frequently asked questions
When do I pay my SSAF fees?
- Payment is due by the census date of the relevant teaching period. See Important Dates
- If you do not pay your SSAF by the relevant date, then your enrolment will be at risk of being cancelled. Encumbrances will be placed on your student account that prevents you from viewing grades and being able to request Academic record/Transcripts until full payment is received.
Can I defer SSAF or get help to pay it?
- You may be eligible to apply for an SA-HELP loan, which is a loan from the Australian Government to help you pay your SSAF.
- If you are an incoming cross-institutional student, you cannot defer your SSAF to an SA-HELP loan.
- If you have elected to defer payment of your SSAF, you will incur an SA-HELP debt if you withdraw from your course or units of study after the census date in the applicable teaching period.
Can my SSAF be refunded if I withdraw?
- Students who withdraw from a course/unit(s) before the applicable teaching period census date and have paid their SSAF upfront, may be eligible for a full/partial refund.
- You are not eligible for a refund of any amount paid for your SSAF if you withdraw from your course or units of study after census date of the applicable teaching period.
- If you have elected to defer payment of your SSAF, you will incur a SA-HELP debt if you withdraw from your course or units of study after the census date in the applicable teaching period.
- You are not eligible for a refund of any amount paid for your SSAF, after census date, if you are approved for the removal of Academic and/or Financial penalties.
What if I don't use any of the services?
- All Higher Education students, regardless of whether you are studying internally or externally, will need to pay SSAF each teaching period during your studies at CDU.
- The SSAF helps fund non-academic services and supports as well as projects and activities that improve the experiences of all students, even those who are not able to attend campus.
What if I study overseas to at another Australian university for a while?
- The SSAF is cross-institutional, so you will still need to pay the fee if you undertake study at another institution and have it credited towards your CDU degree.
Scholarships at CDU
Explore our scholarships and get assistance with your financial needs during university. Whether you are a high-achieving student or need support for study costs, there is a scholarship for you.
SSAF case studies
SSAF may fully or partially fund the services and supports below: