Amenities fee heralds expansion of student services at Deakin
The Federal Government has passed a new law to allow Australian universities to charge students an annual fee to raise money for student services and facilities. Deakin will charge the fee in 2012, and eligible students will be able to defer the payment through a HELP loan scheme similar to FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP.
This fee can only be used for student services which are included in the Government’s list. No student will be forced to join any student organisation and the legislation expressly prohibits fee revenue being used to support a political party. Details of the Government’s legislation, can be found at the Australian Government’s website. The site includes a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions and answers, detailing the purpose, benefits and restrictions applying to the way universities may use revenue generated from the fee.
How much will the fee be in 2012?
A summary of the Student services and amenities fee for 2012 is detailed in the table below. The fee is compulsory and students will need to generate their invoice via StudentConnect.
| Student type | Erolment | Amount |
| Domestic on campus undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students* | Full time (3 units or more) | $87 per trimester |
| Domestic on campus undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students* | Part time (1-2 units) | $55 per trimester |
| Domestic off-campus undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students* | Full time and part time | $42 per trimester |
* International students will not be charged this fee in 2012 as their fees already include a component for the provision of services.
* Higher Degree by Research students will not be charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee.
For more detailed information on the fee and how to defer payment, please refer to Deakin University’s Fees and Invoices.
How will the money be spent in 2012?
The University has consulted with student representative bodies to determine the best ways to expand student services with the additional funding. Thank you to all those students and to the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA) for submitting their ideas and opinions on how the money raised from the fee should be spent in 2012. After considering all the comments we received the University has decided allocate the money to increase and improve the following student services:
• Student Advocacy Services
• Student Legal Advisory Service
• Sport and Recreation including support for sporting clubs
• Social Programs including support for non-sporting student clubs and societies and activities
• Student media
• General student welfare programs
• Mental Health Support
• International Student Employment Support
• Disability Support
A limited amount of money has also been set aside for improvements to physical amenity.
The University is very pleased to be able to provide the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA) a significant proportion of Student Services and Amenities revenue so it may deliver those services it is best placed to provide.
Can students still have a say on how the money should be spent?
We are always interested in your feedback. Although decisions have been made for 2012, later this year we will be asking for students’ opinions on how the funds should be spent in 2013.
If you wish to provide feedback anytime please do so by using the feedback button at the bottom of this page or emailing Division of Student Life. Alternatively, you may wish to engage your independent student association (DUSA) in discussion.
