2026 Funding Allocation
Each year UOW calls for submissions from student led groups, staff and affiliates for projects that to be funded by SSAF in the following year. This submission process requires prospective project managers to detail the value of the project, linking to SSAF Survey results and other consultation, aligning to the legislated SSAF criteria and outlining deliverables for the UOW student community.
UOW has made a commitment that 100% of the project submissions requesting SSAF will be directed to the Student SSAF Subcommittee for review and to provide recommendations to the UOW Senior Executive on allocations, with a minimum of 40% of the projects prioritised and noted to receive a direct allocation from this student led group.
On 5 November 2025, the Department of Education approved the 2026 UOW Transition Plan which requested a three-year transition arrangement to reach compliance with the amendments to SSAF legislation within HESA and associated guidelines, to allocate a minimum of 40% of SSAF revenue to student led organisations. This plan includes working alongside student led groups to improve their financial and corporate governance processes, and a capability uplift for student representatives involved with SSAF.
For the 2026 funding round, 70 submissions were received. UOW's SSAF Subcommittee, has identified 31 projects that they wish to invest in, to the value of $3,554,696.01. The SSAF Subcommittee has also reviewed the other 39 submissions and provided recommendations to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) and Vice President (Operations) which has then resulted in the total allocation. All projects receiving SSAF in 2026 can be found below.
The SAC SSAF Subcommittee is a group of elected and appointed student representatives that voice student interests and provide direct input into the allocation of SSAF Fees. The SAC SSAF Subcommittee reviews project submissions and student survey data and then prioritises the importance of the project, providing recommendations to the University. See the Terms of Reference here.
- Student Careers and Employability
- Developing Study Skills (including orientation)
- Student Health and Wellbeing (including sport and recreation)
- Student Engagement and Campus Life
| FUNDING ALLOCATIONS - PROGRAM AREA | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Enhancing Student Employability and Empowering Career-Ready Graduates | $780,580 |
| Postgraduate Careers and Employability Program Support | $6,000 |
| Career Wisdom and Networking for Arts and Humanities Students | $550 |
| FUNDING ALLOCATION - PROGRAM AREA | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Academic Skills Centre: Empowering UOW Students through Academic Writing and Numeracy Support | $992,454.85 |
| 2026 Orientation and Onboarding | $601,959 |
| Peer Program for Commencing Students | $51,543.50 |
| MedSim Student Projects and Exposition | $22,364 |
| PASS - Peer Assisted Study Sessions | $193,716.69 |
| Neurodivergent Student Support Hub | $168,552.91 |
| Steps to Success - Academic Coaching for At-risk Students | $105,155.70 |
| Higher Degree Research Student Support: Empowering UOW HDR students through writing support, mentoring, and community-building. | $68,417.24 |
| FUNDING ALLOCATION - PROGRAM AREA | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Regional Campuses Wellbeing Events and Workshops – Bega | $3,200 |
| Regional Campuses Wellbeing Events and Workshops - Eurobodalla | $3,200 |
| Regional Campuses Wellbeing Events and Workshops - Shoalhaven | $8,000 |
| Southern Highlands - Wellbeing | $1,600 |
| UOW Tax Clinic: helping students with their financial affairs | $75,500 |
| Allsorts Support Space Activation | $5,204 |
| Sydney and Wollongong Housing Support | $199,059 |
| Representative Sports Program | $85,000 |
| Wellness by Pulse, Theme days, Festivals, Events | $305,450 |
| Pulse Pantry | $204,022.90 |
| Student Welfare Support | $459,871.44 |
| 24/7 Wellbeing Support and Counselling Services | $437,519.45 |
| Enhancing Student Health and Wellbeing | $45,193 |
| Student Advocacy Services | $300,000 |
| Student Legal Advice and Financial Assistance Clinic | $289,901.20 |
| WUSA Free Period Products | $18,420 |
| Empowerment Self-Defence Workshops | $11,000 |
| Promoting Safe & Respectful Communities everywhere | $12,000 |
| SARC Collaboration with Graphic Design Students | $3,500 |
| Emergency Support for Victim-Survivors | $50,000 |
| Food/Grocery Vouchers for Victim-Survivors | $5,000 |
| SARC Library | $2,000 |
| Play with Purpose | $8,000 |
| Respect in Motion + She's a Crowd Collaboration | $47,000 |
| Espresso self - healthy relationships and emotional connection | $10,000 |
| You Can’t Ask That – Educational Panel | $6,000 |
| Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program: Promoting Inclusion Through Free Merchandise | $4,000 |
| Mobile Catering | $130,000 |
| Subsidised Student Dinners | $125,000 |
| Early Intervention Children's Book | $5,000 |
| 2026 International Student Programs | $157,600 |
| Regional Metro Fresh Food Pop-Ups | $82,360 |
| KidsUni Fee Relief | $520,375 |
