STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
Student Services Levy
2026 Levy Setting Consultation
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
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STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
Contents
What is the Student Services Levy? ............................................................................................................2
Forecasted Expenditure of the Student Services Levy in 2025 ...............................................................3
Proposed increase to the Student Services Levy for 2026 ....................................................................10
Consultation .................................................................................................................................................10
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
1
STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
What is the Student Services Levy?
The Student Services Levy is the fee paid by all enrolled students to fund non-academic student support
services provided by the University. In 2025 the fee is $9.24 per point, which works out to be $1,108.80 for
a typical undergraduate taking eight papers.
There are specific categories of services that the Levy can be used to fund (as defined by the Education Amendment Act (2011),
these are:
Category
Description
Advocacy and legal advice
Advocating on behalf of individual students and groups of students and providing
independent support to resolve problems. This includes advocacy and legal advice relating
to accommodation
Careers information, advice Supporting students’ transition into post-study employment
and guidance
Childcare services
Providing affordable childcare services while parents are studying
Clubs and societies
Supporting student clubs and societies, including through the provision of administrative
support and facilities for clubs and societies
Counselling services and
Providing non-academic counsel ing and pastoral care, such as chaplains
pastoral care
Employment information
Providing information about employment opportunities for students while they are studying
Finance support and advice
Providing hardship assistance and advice to students with financial issues
Health services
Providing health care and related welfare services
Media
Supporting the production and dissemination of information by students to students,
including newspapers, radio, television and internet-based media
Sport, recreation and
Providing sports, recreation and cultural activities for students
cultural activities
It’s important to note that the categories are broad and
services such as Early Childhood Centres, the Health Service
sometimes cover a wide range of activities. For example
and the Recreation Centre, are partial y funded by fees from
Sport, recreation and cultural activities includes Orientation
those students who use them.
and Transition, Co-curricular activities, social events on
Every year we consult with students and seek views on the
campus and recognition programmes amongst other
types of services we should fund through the levy and how
activities. Counsel ing services and pastoral care includes Te
to achieve the best balance between levy funding and user-
Papa Manaaki | Campus Care, Be Well Team, the Chapel and
charges. We do this through two mechanisms:
Faith Spaces, Faculty support and mentoring programmes.
• A survey open to all students.
The Levy is set at a level sufficient to cover the costs of
the student services it funds. Some of these services have
• Consultations with elected student representatives
other revenue sources and these are taken into account. For
through the Student Consultative Group (SCG).
example, we receive funding from the Ministry of Health that
partial y covers our student wel being services and reduces
the amount we need to contribute from the Levy. Other
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
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STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
Forecasted Expenditure of the Student
Services Levy in 2025*
The below graph shows the total forecasted expenditure on the services provided within the ten designated categories.
This expenditure is made up from combined student services levy contributions and other external income (in ‘000s)
(e.g. Ministry of Health Funding for Wel being Services).
Financial Support
Advocacy and
and Advice
Legal Advice
$922
$1,449
Careers Information
and Advice
$2,657
Sports, Recreation
Counselling Services
and Cultural
and Pastoral Care
Activities
$8,988
$16,749
Employment
Information
$27
Health Services
$6,327
Media
Clubs and
$125
Societies
Childcare
$5,366
Services
$5,523
*TheamountsstatedareaspertheMayForecast,asthisisthelatestofficialForecastwehaveatthetimeofpublishingthisinformationandthenumberswil besubjecttochange.
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
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STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
The below graph shows the total forecasted student services levy contributions (in ‘000s) to the services provided by the
University within the ten designated categories.
Financial Support
Advocacy and
and Advice
Legal Advice
$915
$1,449
Careers Information
and Advice
$2,431
Sports, Recreation
Counselling Services
and Cultural
and Pastoral Care
Activities
$8,020
$13,410
Employment
Information
$27
Health Services
$3,339
Media
$125
Clubs and
Childcare
Societies
Services
$5,366
$289
A total of $48.1m is expected to be spent on the provision of Student Services by the University of Auckland in 2025. Of that
total, $35.4m comes from the levy and $12.8m is provided from non-levy funding sources.
*TheamountsstatedareaspertheMayForecast,asthisisthelatestofficialForecastwehaveatthetimeofpublishingthisinformationandthenumberswil besubjecttochange.
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
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STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
The below table shows the forecasted split of funding (levy vs. direct funding) for each of the ten categories, and the value per
$100 col ected from the levy spent on University services within the defined categories.
Key Areas of spend (2025)
How costs are funded
Value per $100
SSL Funded
100%
Advocacy and legal advice
$4
Direct
0%
Funding
SSL Funded
91%
Careers information, advice and guidance
$7
Direct
Funding
9%
SSL Funded
89%
Counselling services and pastoral care
$23
Direct
11%
Funding
SSL Funded
100%
Employment information
$.1
Direct
0%
Funding
SSL Funded
53%
Health services
$9
Direct
47%
Funding
SSL Funded
100%
Media
$.4
Direct
0%
Funding
SSL Funded
5%
Childcare services
$.8
Direct
Funding
95%
SSL Funded
100%
Clubs and societies
$15
Direct
0%
Funding
SSL Funded
80%
Sport, recreation and cultural activities
$38
Direct
20%
Funding
SSL Funded
99%
Finance support and advice
$3
Direct
1%
Funding
*TheamountsstatedareaspertheMayForecast,asthisisthelatestofficialForecastwehaveatthetimeofpublishingthisinformationandthenumberswil besubjecttochange.
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
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STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
An overview of the key services and activities that are funded by the Levy is provided below (with all figures based on the
2025 forecast).
Advocacy and legal advice
Key services and activities included:
• Auckland University Students Association – Advocacy and Representation ($700k)
• Auckland University Students Association – Occupied spaces, repairs and maintenance ($750k)
WHAT THE FEE COVERS & WHY WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT:
The University funds AUSA to provide representation and advocacy services. AUSA Advocacy plays an important role
in representation and advocacy for both individuals and student groups. It is important for students to have a safe and
independent advocate to help them understand their options, rights and responsibilities. AUSA is a voice for students in other
important ways, including representation on University Committees. AUSA has sole use of a number of spaces on campus to
ensure its vital advocacy and support work can be delivered effectively, this includes AUSA House, Womxn’s Space and Queer
Space. A portion of the funding in this category covers the occupancy costs paid on behalf of AUSA for their physical spaces.
This covers items such as property taxes, insurance and utilities.
Careers information advice and guidance
Key services and activities included:
• Career Development and Employability Services (CDES) ($1.0m)
• Faculty career support teams ($1.3m)
• Capital (Space Costs Al ocation) ($107k)
WHAT THE FEE COVERS & WHY WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT:
CDES, along with Career Development teams within Faculties assist current students to clarify their future direction, build
employability skil s during their studies and confidently navigate the transition from campus to career. The funding is also used
for a number of expos, career events and presentations, which provide opportunities for students to connect with employers on
campus.
A priority of the Tertiary Education Strategy (updated in 2022) is ‘Ensure learners, vocational education providers, employers
and industry are fit for today’s needs and tomorrow’s expectations.’ Career development for students ensures students have
opportunities to develop employability skil s so they are ‘work ready’ upon graduation.
Childcare services
Key services and activities included:
• Early Childhood Centres ($276k)
• Capital (Space Costs Al ocation) ($13k)
WHAT THE FEE COVERS & WHY WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT:
ECE centres are available to parents and caregivers at both the City and Grafton campuses. The funding provided
subsidises the costs of access to childcare services for students. Early Childhood Centres al ow students with pre-school
aged children to have access to cost-effective, high-quality childcare which is conveniently located for them and is suited
to the student timetable.
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
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STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
Clubs and societies
Key services and activities included:
• AUSA events and Ngā Tauira Māori ($500k)
• Club grants/events ($1.2m)
• Administrative support for clubs ($3.5m)
• Capital (Space Costs Al ocation) ($236k)
WHAT THE FEE COVERS & WHY WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT:We have 286 active clubs on campus supported by engagement
teams in Campus Life, across the faculties and by several service divisions. Clubs receive administrative assistance and have
access to a range of support and resources including spaces on campus, equipment, funding, training and development
workshops. Club events are delivered throughout the year including expos, award events, social and networking events. The
funding al ocated to AUSA in this category is used to cover the cost of staff salaries, the remuneration of Student Council
representatives and the funding of club events as part of themed weeks such as International Week and Politics Week.
Having a range of strong student clubs and associations is important in contributing to student engagement levels and creating
a sense of belonging across the University. Wel -run clubs and associations with strong and active memberships mean that a
diverse range of events and activities are in place for students to engage in.
Counselling services and pastoral care
Key services and activities included:
• University Health and Counsel ing Services ($800k)
• Te Papa Manaaki | Campus Care ($1.95m)
• Wel being Ambassadors and AUSA International buddies ($150k)
• Faith and Chaplaincy services ($400k)
• Student Support & Teams in service divisions and faculties ($4.3m)
• Capital (Space Costs Al ocation) ($353k)
WHAT THE FEE COVERS & WHY WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT:
The University provides student support teams in each faculty and in service divisions including the International Office and
Campus Life. These teams are available as a first point of contact for students who need help. They can work with students to
develop support plans or refer to more specialist services such as Te Papa Manaaki | Campus Care or Health and Counsel ing.
Pastoral care is about more than addressing issues when they arise. It is also about helping students to engage ful y in
University life and develop a strong sense of belonging because that is critical to a successful and enjoyable student
experience. The Code of Pastoral Care also requires that universities consider the needs of Māori and equity groups and that we
seek to provide safe and inclusive learning environments.
Further details on the pastoral care services that the University provides can be found at:
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/student-support/personal-support.html
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
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STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
Employment Information
Key services and activities included:
• AUSA - Student Job Search ($27k)
WHAT THE FEE COVERS & WHY WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT:
A portion of the levy is provided to AUSA to retain membership to the Student Job Search (SJS) service, the University also
looks to promote opportunities for students while they are studying with us, providing students with easy access to job
information.
Financial Support and Advice
Key services and activities included:
• Hardship funds and financial advice ($915k)
WHAT THE FEE COVERS & WHY WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT:
Hardship funding assists students experiencing unforeseen financial difficulty and can cover a wide range of needs including
food, travel, accommodation, medical expenses and laptop repairs. Sudden financial hardship can cause significant disruption to
a student’s life and their ability to study. The emergency funds are available to provide short-term relief for students who are in
sudden, unexpected hardship to enable them to continue to study.
Health services
Key services and activities included:
• University Health Services ($2.76m)
• Disability Services ($432k)
• Capital (Space Costs Al ocation) ($147k)
WHAT THE FEE COVERS & WHY WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT:
The University provides primary healthcare services to students to help prevent and overcome personal difficulties relating to
their physical and mental wel being. The funding is used to partial y fund GPs and nurse salaries to deliver health services, along
with more specialist services including Health Coaches, Health Improvement Practitioners and Mental Health specialists. UHCS
is a low- cost service which aims to keep healthcare accessible to all students who need it.
Student Disability Services (SDS) who provide support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible.
These supports range from ensuring the campus can be safely accessed by all students, to advising and assisting individuals
and departments in how to access a range of specialist equipment such as adaptive technology and specialist services such
as New Zealand Sign Language Interpreters. The University is committed to ensuring that all students can reach their potential
irrespective of any disability.
Media
Key services and activities included:
• Craccum ($117k)
• Faculty journals ($8k)
WHAT THE FEE COVERS & WHY WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT:
This funding al ocation is used by AUSA to produce AUSA’s weekly paper ‘Craccum’ and other specialty student journals and
publications. A strong student voice is essential at the University. Publications produced by and for students al ow students to
showcase their achievements and share authentic insights into life as a student with one another.
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
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STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
Sports, Recreation & Cultural Activities
Key services and activities included:
• Recreation Centre ($9.0m)
• Sport tournaments and activities ($1.6m)
• Orientation ($260k)
• AUSA events ($377k)
• Recognition awards and events programme ($280k)
• Student events including Faculty Support ($1.25m)
• Capital (Space Costs Al ocation) ($591k)
WHAT THE FEE COVERS & WHY WE THINK IT’S IMPORTANT:
The University provides sports and recreation facilities, services, and a range of cultural activities on campus. This funding
enables the Sport and Recreation team to operate and subsidise sport, fitness and active wel being facilities for over 20,000
current student members annual y via the Hiwa Recreation Centre and sport and recreation programmes. There have already
been over 700,000 visits to Hiwa, since it opened. The Hiwa membership is comprised of 95% University of Auckland students.
On a peak day, over 8000 users will visit the Hiwa Recreation Centre. Fitness and sports facilities, programmes, services and
tournaments are provided to benefit students. Over 2000 students play in organised sports leagues each week, in addition to
the many student club-led programmes and more social sports hosted weekly. Events, wel ness programmes and supporting
student sports club activities are key priorities for the funding support. Participants in sports programmes report an average
92% overall programme experience rating. The University also offers a High-Performance Support Programme to help students
manage tertiary study while competing at elite sports or performance activities; in 2025, there are 279 students supported by
this programme and 98% reported feeling ‘supported’ or ‘very supported’.
The University offers a broad range of recreational, cultural and recognition-based events for students, which are provided
free of charge or heavily subsidised. Run by and with central services, faculties, AUSA, and/or other partners, these events are
designed to appeal to a wide range of interests, spanning culture, music, performance, sport, and skill development. These
events are designed to help students make friends and develop a sense of belonging. Activities last year included Orientation
activities ($258k), Campus Cal ing ($80k), Comedy Week ($10k), Music Week ($10k), Blues Awards ($85k) and Distinguished
Graduate Awards ($20k).
Both academic and social engagement are key to academic success. Social engagement becomes especial y important in
institutions as large as Waipapa Taumata Rau, with many students commuting rather than living on campus. A range of smal ,
medium and significant events on campus that cater to the diverse student body enables students to take a break from their
studies and assists in helping students make connections with others, create a sense of belonging, promote wel being and
contribute to good student outcomes.
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
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STUDENT SERVICES LEVY
Proposed increase to the
Student Services Levy for 2026
The University, like the rest of New Zealand, continues to face inflated costs. CPI is currently tracking at 2.7% as of July 2025
and some costs, such as wages and salaries, have been higher than CPI. For example, living wage costs have increased by 4.2%.
To cover the cost of inflation across all services, and to fund the additional expenditure above, the University is proposing a
maximum 3.5% increase in the Student Services Levy for 2026. This would see the fee increase from $9.24 per point to $9.56
per point, meaning for a typical undergraduate student taking eight papers the fee would be a maximum $1,147.20 in 2026, up
from $1,108.80 in 2025.
The final fee will be determined later this year fol owing the completion of the consultation period and consideration of feedback
by the Finance committee. It is expected that even with the proposed increase, the levy will remain one of the lowest in New
Zealand universities, despite a higher cost base in Auckland.
Victoria
(within the
Victora
Massey
Massey
Wel ington (within NZ or
NZ$ (GST inclusive)
Canterbury
(Manawatu)
(Albany)
Otago
Waikato
Region)
overseas)
Auckland
AUT
2025
$1,166
$1,128
$1,128
$1,152
$926
$1,193
$596
$1,109
$1,192
2024
$1,100
$900
$1,080
$1,076
$926
$1,104
$552
$1,066
$1,146
2023
$992
$741
$793
$1,015
$887
$1,032
$516
$1,006
$1,074
2022
$892
$717
$767
$906
$845
$1,018
$979
$934
2021
$877
$689
$739
$879
$792
$890
$962
$867
Change vs. 2021 ($)
$289
$439
$389
$273
$134
$303
$147
$325
Change vs. 2021 (%)
33%
64%
53%
31%
17%
34%
15%
37%
Consultation
The University is inviting feedback on the above al ocations and welcomes your opinions. To provide your feedback please
complete the Student Services Levy survey which will be open 12–24 August 2025.
Survey feedback will be discussed at the Student Consultative Group in August, prior to final decisions by University Council
in October.
*TheamountsstatedareaspertheMayForecast,asthisisthelatestofficialForecastwehaveatthetimeofpublishingthisinformationandthenumberswil besubjecttochange.
WAIPAPA TAUMATA RAU | UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
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