Compulsory Student Services Fee
Find out how the student services fee is used to support your study journey and make your uni experience better.
On this page:
What is the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF)?
Every student pays a Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF), sometimes known as a Student Services Levy. This helps fund services that support you through your study – from wellbeing and advocacy to careers advice and student events. It’s about making sure you have what you need to succeed while you’re at uni.
Compulsory Student Services Fee for 2026
From 1 January 2026, the CSSF is $1221.79 (GST included) for 120 credits per enrolled equivalent full-time student. If you’re studying part-time, the fee is adjusted based on your workload. You’ll see the CSSF listed on your invoice alongside your tuition fees.
For students who are studying offshore the total student services levy is discounted by 30%, this is because offshore students do not have access to counselling, medical and financial services offered in New Zealand.
What does the CSSF cover?
This fee contributes to services that make a real difference in student life, including:
- Advocacy and support – AUTSA’s advocacy team is here if you need help with academic concerns or personal challenges
- Careers and employability – guidance to help you plan your future and connect with employers
- Counselling and wellbeing – confidential support when things feel heavy
- Student events and clubs – opportunities to meet people and build community
- Health and recreation – access to facilities and programmes that keep you active and well
- Childcare services - access to an independently run crèche at North Campus and comfortable and private rooms for parents and breastfeeding at all three main campuses.
- Media - AUTSA publishes the student Debate magazine and online media.
Learn more about what services the CSSF funds
Why is this compulsory?
The Government regulates the process that universities must follow to set student services fees and decide what they are spent on. AUT works closely with AUT Student Association (AUTSA) to make sure these services reflect what students want and need.
How is the fee set?
Each year, AUT consults with AUTSA and students before confirming the CSSF amount and how it’s allocated. Your voice matters – this process ensures transparency and accountability. AUT separately accounts for all CSSF income and expenditure and reports annually on spending by service category.
AUT has a formal partnership with AUTSA through the Student Advisory Committee, which provides oversight and guidance on the allocation of the student services fee. The membership of the committee consists of equal numbers of representatives from AUT and AUTSA. AUTSA are contracted to provide services on behalf of AUT and receive levy funds to deliver these supports. AUTSA provides insights from the student body how levy funds may be best spent to maximise value for the students.
Recommendations are made to the Vice-Chancellor and approved by AUT Council. The AUTSA Student President is a member of AUT Council, which is responsible for the governance of the University, including oversight of the institution’s policy, degree, financial and capital matters.
The levy amount is decided by the cost for delivering each service and activity. This includes staffing costs, space, technology and operational expenses. Each year the cost is inflation adjusted and increased based on student need. Each year, a breakdown of expenditure is publicly published through the AUT Annual Report. The report breaks down the detail against the types of service clusters as outlined in the government funding regulations.
Are there exemptions to paying the fee?
Students may be exempt if they are:
- Enrolled under an approved AUT international exchange scheme
- Applying due to one-off or special circumstances
You can apply for an exemption from the Compulsory Student Services Fee by emailing studentfeedback@aut.ac.nz
The Student Services Levy follows the same AUT refund policy as tuition fees. If you’re eligible for a tuition fee refund, the same proportion will apply to the Student Services Levy and will be included in your refund entitlement.
What has the fee been used for previously?
Wondering what your Student Services Levy has helped make possible? Here are some examples:
- Building Te Āhuru Recreation Centre at the City Campus
- Expanding counselling and mental health services
- Free medical care for domestic students who register with our Student Medical Centres
- Increasing financial hardship funds
- Dedicated rainbow support
- Student wellbeing programmes
- A new recreation programme to help students stay active and connected
You can find more detail in our previously published impact reports
Alongside services managed by AUT, AUTSA receives funds by way of a contract to deliver activities and services. Some examples of AUTSA activities include legal advice, advocacy, representation, O Week, Debate magazine, student events, clubs and societies, and Tautoko (grocery supplies).
History of Student Services Levy costs
Effective from 1 January 2022, the Student Services Levy is calculated on the number of credits of study in an academic year a student is enrolled in, based on $7.78 (GST included) per academic credit.
The levy is made up of:
- 2022 Compulsory Student Services Fee: $934.07 (GST included) for 120 credits
- Covers the provision or subsidy of various services that students access.
- In 2022 the Building Levy fee will be discontinued as a result of the Te Ahuru Recreation Centre being completed.
For students that are studying offshore the total student services levy and building levy is discounted by 30%.
Exemption of levy charges
Applications for exemption of levy charges can be directed to the Group Director Student Services and Administration by emailing studentfeedback@aut.ac.nz
Exemptions will be considered based on the following:
- Living outside the boundaries of Auckland City and not using University facilities other than the Library; or
- Enrolled under approved university exchange schemes
The Student Services Levy is governed by the same AUT refund policy as tuition fees. If you’re eligible for a refund of tuition fees, the same refund apportionment will be applied to the Student Services Levy and will be included in your refund entitlement.
Effective from 1 January 2021, the Student Services Levy is calculated on the number of credits of study in an academic year a student is enrolled in, based on $6.59 (GST included) per academic credit.
The levy is made up of:
- 2021 Compulsory Student Services Fee: $790.40 (GST included) for 120 credits
- Covers the provision or subsidy of various services that student’s access.
- 2021 Building Levy: $77.52 (GST included) for 120 credits
- Covers maintenance and development of student buildings and facilities.
The cost of service provision is greater than the levy revenue collected. As AUT are committed to the care and support of its students, the University allocates additional funding to make certain services remain viable.
The levy charges are automatically added to your fees invoice at the time of enrolment. As the levy is compulsory to all university students studying in New Zealand, it can be paid for through your student loan funding or included in your fees free entitlement.
Not all students have to pay the fee. Those students who are studying on exchange programmes or distance learning aren’t charged the fee in 2020. Distance learning means that a student’s faculty have confirmed no portion of the course is taught on an AUT campus.
The Student Services Levy is governed by the same AUT refund policy as tuition fees. If you’re eligible for a refund of tuition fees, the same refund apportionment will be applied to the Student Services Levy and will be included in your refund entitlement.
Offshore international students
For students that are studying offshore the total student services levy and building levy is discounted by 30%. Applications for exemption of levy charges can be directed to the Group Director Student Services and Administration by emailing studentfeedback@aut.ac.nz
The Student Services Levy is governed by the same AUT refund policy as tuition fees. If you’re eligible for a refund of tuition fees, the same refund apportionment will be applied to the Student Services Levy and will be included in your refund entitlement.
Effective from 1 January 2023, the Student Services Levy is calculated on the number of credits of study in an academic year a student is enrolled in, based on $8.95 (GST included) per academic credit.
The levy is made up of:
- 2023 Compulsory Student Services Fee: $1074.18 (GST included) for 120 credits
- Covers the provision or subsidy of various services that students access.
For students that are studying offshore the total student services levy and building levy is discounted by 30%.
Exemption of levy charges
Applications for exemption of levy charges can be directed to the Group Director Student Services and Administration by emailing studentfeedback@aut.ac.nz
Exemptions will be considered based on the following:
- Living outside the boundaries of Auckland City and not using University facilities other than the Library; or
- Enrolled under approved university exchange schemes
The Student Services Levy is governed by the same AUT refund policy as tuition fees. If you’re eligible for a refund of tuition fees, the same refund apportionment will be applied to the Student Services Levy and will be included in your refund entitlement.
Effective from 1 January 2024, the Student Services Levy is calculated on the number of credits of study in an academic year a student is enrolled in, based on $9.55 (GST included) per academic credit.
The levy is made up of:
- Compulsory Student Services Fee: $1146.15 (GST included) for 120 credits
- Covers the provision or subsidy of various services that students access.
For students that are studying offshore the total student services levy is discounted by 30%.
Exemption of levy charges
On application to the Group Director Student Services, by emailing studentfeedback@aut.ac.nz the following students may be exempt from paying the CSSF to use student services if they are:
- Enrolled under approved university international exchange schemes.
- By application citing one off or special circumstances
The Student Services Levy is governed by the same AUT refund policy as tuition fees. If you’re eligible for a refund of tuition fees, the same refund apportionment will be applied to the Student Services Levy and will be included in your refund entitlement.
Effective from 1 January 2025, the Student Services Levy is calculated on the number of credits of study in an academic year a student is enrolled in, based on $9.93 (GST included) per academic credit point.
The levy is made up of:
- Compulsory Student Services Fee: $1192.00 (GST included) for 120 credits
- Covers the provision or subsidy of various services that students access.
For students that are studying offshore the total student services levy is discounted by 30%.
Exemption of payment of the Student Services fee
On application to the Group Director Student Services, by emailing studentfeedback@aut.ac.nz the following students may be exempt from paying the fee to use student services if they are:
- Enrolled under approved university international exchange schemes.
- By application citing one off or special circumstances
The Student Services Levy is governed by the same AUT refund policy as tuition fees. If you’re eligible for a refund of tuition fees, the same refund apportionment will be applied to the Student Services Levy and will be included in your refund entitlement.
Effective from 1 January 2026, the Student Services Levy is calculated on the number of credits of study in an academic year a student is enrolled in, based on $10.18 (GST included) per academic credit point.
The levy is made up of:
- Compulsory Student Services Fee: $1221.79 (GST included) for 120 credits
- Covers the provision or subsidy of various services that students access.
For students who are studying offshore the total student services levy is discounted by 30%
Exemption of payment of the Student Services fee
On application to the Group Director Student Services, by emailing studentfeedback@aut.ac.nz the following students may be exempt from paying the fee to use student services if they are:
- Enrolled under approved university international exchange schemes.
- By application citing one off or special circumstances
The Student Services Levy is governed by the same AUT refund policy as tuition fees. If you’re eligible for a refund of tuition fees, the same refund apportionment will be applied to the Student Services Levy and will be included in your refund entitlement.
Want to know more or have your say?
You can participate and have your say by engaging in AUTSA led consultation, surveys, or forums that contribute to CSSF decision. If you have suggestions for CSSF funding, feedback or questions regarding the fee, email us.
Email: studentfeedback@aut.ac.nz
Student Impact Report
Read our Student Impact Report to find out more about the many ways AUT has supported students.
AUT’s Annual Reports
AUT’s Annual Report sets out AUT's performance, and covers information about our services, graduates, research and the positive impacts we have on the lives of our students, staff and stakeholders. You can download the current Annual Report or view older reports,