Services funded by the Student Services Fee

Learn how the Student Services Fee supports health, wellbeing, advocacy, clubs, careers, and other student services at the University.

The Student Services Fee (SSF) that you pay helps cover the cost of providing a wide range of student services and facilities. You can find a full list of services supported with SSF funding in Appendix 1 of the Student Services Fee Procedure (PDF).

You can access the services and facilities supported by the SSF for free or at a heavily subsidised rate. The money raised by the SSF is used for daily running costs, staffing, and use of space for these services. It is also used to provide grants and services delivered through a contract with the Victoria University of Wellington's Association—Te Aka Tauira (VUWSA).

We have estimated the percentage of the SSF that is allocated to seven different areas—set by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funding conditions—as described below.

How the Student Services Fee is allocated in 2026

Percentages are based on the revenue allocation to run the services in each area, as set by the TEC.

• Advocacy and legal advice—11%
• Health services, counselling, and pastoral care—49%
• Career and employment guidance—8%
• Financial support and advice—3%
• Clubs, societies, sports, and recreation—26%
• Student media—2%
• Childcare services—1%

Advocacy and legal advice, student engagement/representation, and student media

We spend 8 percent of your Student Services Fee on advocacy and legal advice services.

• Our Tauira—Student Interest and Conflict Resolution team offers support for students when making complaints, appealing academic decisions, or resolving pastoral or accommodation issues.
• The SSF pays VUWSA to deliver an independent advocacy service to help students with academic or personal problems. VUWSA also offers training and support for class representatives and faculty delegates.
• The SSF supports and funds student engagement activities by Student Assembly, Ngāi Tauira, Postgraduate Students' Association (PGSA), and the Pasifika Students' Council.

Health services, counselling, and pastoral care

We spend 59 percent of your Student Services Fee on providing health services, counselling and wellbeing services, and other holistic student support.

• Our Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling service provides a range of support to help students manage their physical and mental wellbeing. Services are available at Kelburn, Pipitea, and Te Aro campus for counselling only.
• Our Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing team promotes wellbeing and provides guidance on staying connected, access to resources, and workshops. They also provide The Bubble, which is a space for peer support, and also fund Rainbow Support Navigators and a refugee-background student adviser.
• Our Te Amaru—Disability Services assists students with temporary and ongoing impairments, so that they can fully engage and achieve in their studies.
• Our Āwhina—Māori student support team offers specialised support and connections for our Māori tauira.
• Our Pasifika Student Success team provides our Pasifika students with holistic support and pastoral care.
• The SSF also funds welfare services such as VUWSA’s community pantry delivery.

Career and employment guidance

We spend 7 percent of your Student Services Fee on career and employment services.

• Te Ratonga Rapu Mahi—Careers and Employment connects students with employers, provides careers advice, runs career expos, and helps with CVs and job applications.
• The Alumni as Mentors programme, run by Te Ratonga Rapu Mahi, connects final-year undergraduate students with alumni who provide mentoring and support the transition into employment.

Financial support and advice

We use 3 percent of your Student Services Fee to provide financial support and advice.

• Our Student Finance team helps students with budgeting, StudyLink issues, and provides financial mentoring and advice.
• The Student Finance team also administers the Hardship Fund—an emergency fund that supports students facing financial difficulties.

Clubs, societies, sports, and recreation

We spend 21 percent of your Student Services Fee on clubs and societies, sports, recreation and fitness, student wellbeing, and cultural activities.

• The SSF helps support more than 130 political, cultural, sports, faith-based, and academic clubs and societies on campus. Clubs use facilities including the Hub, the Recreation Centre activity spaces, and meeting rooms across three University campuses.
• University Recreation offers a range of fitness services, group exercise classes, and wellbeing initiatives. Students can use fitness spaces and facilities at Kelburn and Pipitea campuses—these facilities can either be used for free or hired by members.
• Sports at University Recreation range from casual to competitive. We offer on-campus social sports leagues, casual and 'just play' sessions, participation in tertiary sports tournaments (through University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand), and scholarships that support athletes.

Student media

We use 1 percent of your Student Services Fee to support student media.

• The SSF funds Salient, a weekly magazine produced by students and published and distributed by VUWSA.

Childcare services

We use 1 percent of your Student Services Fee to support childcare services for students.

• The University Kids Wellington early childhood education service provides places for the children of our students.

You can find information about the range of student services and support available at the University on the Student services and support webpage.