Hands Off UNSA: Stop the University of Newcastle from diverting $2M+ in student funding
We call on University of Newcastle management to keep student funding in student hands, and to abandon plans to partially defund the University of Newcastle Students' Association (UNSA). University of Newcastle management is attempting to divert over $2 million in Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) revenue away from UNSA to establish a new Student-Led entity that does not currently exist, has no track record, and would operate under an unproven governance model.
Recent changes to federal SSAF legislation determines that universities are required to fund a minimum of 40 percent of SSAF towards independent, student-led organisations. By stripping over $2 million from UNSA to create a controlled alternative, University management is ignoring the spirit of this legislation and attempting to dictate how your student money is spent.
UNSA is the only independent, student-led, non-profit association for University of Newcastle students. While this proposal does not dissolve UNSA entirely, siphoning off millions of dollars in student funding directly undermines our operational capacity, putting vital frontline services at risk that students depend on:
- Essential Food Relief: Funding for emergency food pantries, Free Food Friday, weekly free campus lunches, and major relief activations such as F.E.A.S.T.
- Clubs and Societies: Direct financial grants, equipment, and administrative backing for over 80 student-run clubs.
- Campus Culture: Welcome Week expos, the annual gala, Friend Matchmaking, and social activations that build campus community.
- Independent Advocacy: Confidential, professional support for students facing academic disputes, grievances, and university policy issues.
Critical Impact on Regional and Satellite Campuses
These funding cuts hit regional campuses hardest. UNSA currently delivers weekly free lunches and food relief at NUspace and the Central Coast despite severe space and resource constraints. For months, we have negotiated in good faith with the University to secure dedicated, full-time physical spaces on these campuses to scale up operations. Diverting $2 million away from UNSA directly threatens our capacity to sustain current service levels, while blocking planned service expansion across the Central Coast, NUspace, Sydney, HMRI, and regional campuses.
Our Demand
Students deserve genuine independent representation, not a university-controlled duplicate that diverts student fee revenue into startup administrative costs.
Sign the petition to demand that University management:
- Stop the plan to divert $2M+ in SSAF funding away from UNSA.
- Respect the spirit of national SSAF legislation by guaranteeing long-term funding for existing independent student governance.
- Protect and support the expansion of UNSA's student-led services across all UON campuses.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
September 14, 2026
Reached 250 supporters
September 11, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
September 11, 2026
181 Comments
UNSA has been such a brilliant support for our club (Newcastle University Film Society), and the association is essential in keeping campus social life, student advocacy structures, and club events alive. UNSA should be able to keep their much deserved momentum (and funding)! :)
UNSA provides diverse student resources, giving us the space to catch up with students with free coffee, creating a joyful lounge with student amenities and services, key to student welbeing
As a club leader I care about the services and funds that support us in serving and loving our members. I will therefore act in support of motions that preserve this, out of care for those I'm leading
I don’t want the university to cut the events that are run through UNSA. There events are what make a university and a community. It’s ridiculous the uni wants to cut these services.
Unsa keeps me fed and has so many good initiatives!
I am loving studying at UoN and want to keep it a great place to do a degree. The UoN reputation matters! Student led associations are vital and need to remain fully funded and in student hands.
Do favor with students welfare
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Decision Makers:
Alex Zelinsky
Hands Off UNSA: Stop the University of Newcastle from diverting $2M+ in student funding
We call on University of Newcastle management to keep student funding in student hands, and to abandon plans to partially defund the University of Newcastle Students' Association (UNSA). University of Newcastle management is attempting to divert over $2 million in Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) revenue away from UNSA to establish a new Student-Led entity that does not currently exist, has no track record, and would operate under an unproven governance model.
Recent changes to federal SSAF legislation determines that universities are required to fund a minimum of 40 percent of SSAF towards independent, student-led organisations. By stripping over $2 million from UNSA to create a controlled alternative, University management is ignoring the spirit of this legislation and attempting to dictate how your student money is spent.
UNSA is the only independent, student-led, non-profit association for University of Newcastle students. While this proposal does not dissolve UNSA entirely, siphoning off millions of dollars in student funding directly undermines our operational capacity, putting vital frontline services at risk that students depend on:
- Essential Food Relief: Funding for emergency food pantries, Free Food Friday, weekly free campus lunches, and major relief activations such as F.E.A.S.T.
- Clubs and Societies: Direct financial grants, equipment, and administrative backing for over 80 student-run clubs.
- Campus Culture: Welcome Week expos, the annual gala, Friend Matchmaking, and social activations that build campus community.
- Independent Advocacy: Confidential, professional support for students facing academic disputes, grievances, and university policy issues.
Critical Impact on Regional and Satellite Campuses
These funding cuts hit regional campuses hardest. UNSA currently delivers weekly free lunches and food relief at NUspace and the Central Coast despite severe space and resource constraints. For months, we have negotiated in good faith with the University to secure dedicated, full-time physical spaces on these campuses to scale up operations. Diverting $2 million away from UNSA directly threatens our capacity to sustain current service levels, while blocking planned service expansion across the Central Coast, NUspace, Sydney, HMRI, and regional campuses.
Our Demand
Students deserve genuine independent representation, not a university-controlled duplicate that diverts student fee revenue into startup administrative costs.
Sign the petition to demand that University management:
- Stop the plan to divert $2M+ in SSAF funding away from UNSA.
- Respect the spirit of national SSAF legislation by guaranteeing long-term funding for existing independent student governance.
- Protect and support the expansion of UNSA's student-led services across all UON campuses.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
September 14, 2026
Reached 250 supporters
September 11, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
September 11, 2026
181 Comments
UNSA has been a pivotal part of my journey at the University of Newcastle - whether it was social connection, events to boost my mental health while in the midst of study, or cheap food to support the limited income that can be made alongside study. I think they make a positive impact on the experience people have at UON and there would be a something missing without them.
UNSA has been such a brilliant support for our club (Newcastle University Film Society), and the association is essential in keeping campus social life, student advocacy structures, and club events alive. UNSA should be able to keep their much deserved momentum (and funding)! :)
UNSA provides diverse student resources, giving us the space to catch up with students with free coffee, creating a joyful lounge with student amenities and services, key to student welbeing
As a club leader I care about the services and funds that support us in serving and loving our members. I will therefore act in support of motions that preserve this, out of care for those I'm leading
I don’t want the university to cut the events that are run through UNSA. There events are what make a university and a community. It’s ridiculous the uni wants to cut these services.
Unsa keeps me fed and has so many good initiatives!
I am loving studying at UoN and want to keep it a great place to do a degree. The UoN reputation matters! Student led associations are vital and need to remain fully funded and in student hands.
Do favor with students welfare
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UNSA has been a pivotal part of my journey at the University of Newcastle - whether it was social connection, events to boost my mental health while in the midst of study, or cheap food to support the limited income that can be made alongside study. I think they make a positive impact on the experience people have at UON and there would be a something missing without them.