PRESS RELEASE: Student Experience Network responds to proposed SSAF changes announced in the Federal Budget.

Student Experience Network (SEN), the peak body for professionals working in student experience delivery in the tertiary sector across Australia and New Zealand, is pleased to see that the government has taken a positive step forward to protect a minimum level of Student Service Amenities Fee (SSAF) funding for “Student Led” organisations. As an organisation, we believe that SSAF legislation reads ambiguously in the support for the delivery of the student experience and SEN welcomes proposed changes that clarify this.

SEN is eager to represent its members at the appropriate forum to get into the detail of how this change, tabled for January 2025, is enacted and how the legislation is structured.

Paul Clayton, SEN CEO said, “It is important to ensure that any legislation created clearly defines the meaning of “Student Led”, so that we ensure that the funding goes to the right team on campus to deliver on behalf of all students. This will mean clear definitions around governance to ensure that the opinions of students are key in the direction of service provision, but also that the views are authentic, meaningful, inclusive and representative of the whole student body. The legislation needs to also be clear on the service expectations of the Student Led organisations to be eligible for the funding as some such organisations do not deliver services for students and providing 40% SSAF funding to such an organisation would be a risk to the on-campus delivery and the current providers who are providing outstanding Student Experiences.

Lastly, we need to work with the Accord Advisory Committee and possibly the Tertiary Education Commission, if that is constituted, to ensure that funding is linked to delivery, reporting and successful support for students, with 40% being a minimum, not a target. We will be in contact with the Honorable Jason Clare and his team to ensure that the members voices are represented, and the legislation delivers the intent of the Government.”