Current Students Fees & Financial Support Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSA Fee)

Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSA Fee)

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSA Fee) was introduced by the Australian Government to improve university support services and facilities for students both on and off campus.

James Cook University (JCU) students must pay this fee (except for a small number of exempt students).

The income from the fee is used to provide a range of student support services and facilities that students can access.

The SSA Fee is charged on the basis of study load. In 2023, the charge is $48.90 per 3 credit points, to a maximum of $326.00 per calendar year, other than students on an inbound Study Abroad Program (refer to clause 1 of the Student Services and Amenities Fee Payments and Refunds Procedure)

Each time you enrol in a subject you will be charged $48.90 for a 3-credit-point subject or $97.80 for a 6-credit-point subject until you reach $326.00 in one calendar year.

Credit point value/enrolment and SSA Fee charge:

Number of Credit Points

SSA Fee Charge

3 credit points

$48.90

6 credit points

$97.80

9 credit points

$146.70

12 credit points

$195.60

15 credit points

$244.50

18 credit points

$293.40

21 credit points

$326.00

The SSA Fee is charged based on study load. In 2025, the charge is $54.75 per 3 credit points, to a maximum of $365.00 per calendar year, other than for students on an inbound Study Abroad Program (refer to clause 1 of the Student Services and Amenities Fee Payments and Refunds Procedure)

Each time you enrol in a subject you will be charged $54.75 for a 3-credit-point subject or $109.50 for a 6-credit-point subject until you reach $365.00 in one calendar year.

Credit point value/enrolment and SSA Fee charge:

Number of Credit PointsSSA Fee Charge
3 credit points$54.75
6 credit points$109.50
9 credit points$164.25
12 credit points$219.00
15 credit points$273.75
18 credit points$328.50
21 credit points$365.00

To find out how the SSA Fee is calculated for HDR candidates, go to Student Services and Amenities Fee - research students. The fee is calculated on all subject enrolments as at the census date each study period or trimester. The SSA Fee is indexed annually.

This schedule outlines the maximum Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSA Fee) amount charged by the University each academic year, in accordance with the Higher Education Support Act (2003).

Year

Maximum Permissible Amount per Calendar Year

Maximum Permissible Amount per Calendar Year

Amount per 3 credit points (0.125 EFTSL)

 

Full-Time

Part - Time

 

2023

$326.00

$244.50$48.90

2022

$315.00

$236.25$47.25

2021

$313.00

$234.75$46.95

2020

$308.00

 $231.00 $46.20

2019

$303.00

$227.25

$45.45

2018

$298.00

$223.50

$44.70

2017

$294.00

$220.50

$44.10

2016

$290.00

$217.50

$43.50

2015

$286.00

$214.50

$42.90

2014

$281.00

$210.75

$42.15

2013

$273.00

$204.75

$40.95

2012

$263.00

$197.25

$39.45

The SSA Fee is charged on the basis of study load. In 2024, the charge is $52.65 per 3 credit points, to a maximum of $351.00 per calendar year, other than students on an inbound Study Abroad Program (refer to clause 1 of the Student Services and Amenities Fee Payments and Refunds Procedure)

Each time you enrol in a subject you will be charged $52.65 for a 3-credit-point subject or $105.30 for a 6-credit-point subject until you reach $351.00 in one calendar year.

Credit point value/enrolment and SSA Fee charge:

Number of Credit Points

SSA Fee Charge

3 credit points

$52.65

6 credit points

$105.30

9 credit points

$157.95

12 credit points

$210.60

15 credit points

$263.25

18 credit points

$315.90

21 credit points

$351.00

The results from the 2023 SSAF Survey, which will  help inform priorities for future expenditure of SSA Fee Revenue, are summarised in the Report below.

2023 SSAF Survey Report

The Student Services and Amenities Fee was introduced by the Australian government to improve university services and facilities for students both on and off campus.

All JCU students are required to pay this fee (except for a small number of exempt students). More information around the payment and conditions of the fee is available on the SSA Fee page or you can email studentfinance@jcu.edu.au.

Proceeds from the SSA Fee may only be spent on activities and facilities that comply with the stipulations of the Higher Education Support Act 2003.

Each year JCU seeks feedback from students to help inform the priorities for expenditure of SSAF through a number of channels including the bi-annual SSAF Survey, meetings with JCU Student Association and Student Advisory Forums.

2025 SSAF Expenditure Plan

After consideration of priorities and feedback from students, the Vice Chancellor approved the 2025 SSAF Expenditure Plan which can be found at the link below. Feedback on SSAF Expenditure can be directed at any time to dvceducation@jcu.edu.au.

Expenditure plans for previous years

SSAF Reports (what was actually spent)

Frequently Asked Questions

You pay your SSA Fee using the same payment methods as your subject fees, via eStudent.

Like your subject fees, you must pay your SSA Fee by the payment due date of each subject or, if eligible, defer payment with SA HELP.

Your fee statement/tax invoice (accessed via eStudent) provides information on the subjects you are enrolled in, subject fee amounts, SSA Fee amounts, payment due dates and how to pay.

Payment due dates can also be found using the Academic Calendars.

All JCU students are required to pay the SSA Fee except for the following groups:

  1. Secondary school students participating in the enhanced study program
  2. Students on outbound exchange with universities external to JCU
  3. Students admitted to JCU’s English for Academic Purposes courses and Foundation Program courses
  4. International students who are continuing in a course of study which they commenced prior to 1 January 2013
  5. Students whose home campus is Singapore and who are undertaking Intercampus Mobility on an Australian campus in accordance with the Outbound Mobility Procedure
  6. Students who are enrolled in a JCU Online* course; and
  7. Other student(s) as determined in clause 5 of the Student Fee Payments and Refunds Policy

* JCU Online refers to the courses that are always delivered entirely online. It does not include courses or subjects with an external attendance mode or on campus classes that have transitioned to online delivery during the COVID-19 situation.

You can see examples of SSA Fee-funded projects here. There are legislated categories for which universities can use the SSA Fee.

This includes:

  • Providing:
    • food or drink to students on campus
    • libraries and reading rooms (other than those provided for academic purposes) for students
    • legal services to students
  • Supporting:
    • a sporting or other recreational activity by students
    • the administration of a club in which most members are students
    • debating by students
    • artistic activity by students
    • production and distribution to students of media produced by students
  • Helping:
    • students secure accommodation
    • students obtain employment or advice on careers
    • students with their financial affairs
    • students obtain insurance against personal accidents
    • students develop skills for study, by means other than undertaking courses of study in which they are enrolled
    • meet the needs of overseas students for welfare, accommodation and employment
  • Caring for children of students
  • Promoting health or welfare of students
  • Advising students about rules at JCU (however described)
  • Advocating students' interests in matters arising in JCU’s rules (however described);
  • Giving students information to help them in their orientation

If you are an Australian citizen, permanent humanitarian visa holder, or New Zealand citizen (who meets certain criteria), and you meet residency requirements, you are eligible to defer payment of your SSA Fee (either in full or by part-payment) with a SA-HELP loan.

You only need to complete this form once for your entire course. All other students will need to pay the fee directly to JCU.

If you withdraw from a subject(s) prior to the census date then you will be eligible for a refund of any payments made towards the applicable SSA Fee. You can apply for a refund by completing this Application for Refund form.

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