Formed in May 2022, the Student Accommodation Council gives a voice to the critically important purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector which provides homes for over 76,500 students per year, a figure that continues to grow.Â
Providing vibrant and connected housing options for students underpins Australia’s largest service export – international education. Ensuring a strong pipeline of beds also reduces pressure on the broader residential rental market by providing a safe, student-only housing choice.
Our advocacy priorities are to remove the barriers to growth in this alternative residential asset class and grow the sector Australia-wide.
Better investment frameworks will ensure that PBSA in Australia can continue to garner international interest and house the next generation of leaders.
Campaigns & Submissions
View campaigns and submissions related to the PBSA sector.
Australia’s Student Accommodation Pipeline: Semester 2 2024 Update
New data released by the Student Accommodation Council and Urbis shows strong growth in the pipeline of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) across Australia.
Urbis Student Accommodation Benchmarks created in partnership with the Student Accommodation Council
This new research has revealed student accommodation beds have grown rapidly over the last decade, almost doubling in scale, driven by a shift toward private purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
Beyond the Visa Cap: Why Restricting International Students Won’t Solve Australia’s Housing Crisis
The Student Accommodation Council’s latest report examines the impact the Government’s proposed international student visa caps will have on Australia’s metropolitan rental markets.
Upcoming Events
View events related to the PBSA sector.Â
Our priorities for Student Accommodation
Supply – Work with governments and the sector to increase the supply of PBSA in Australia, unlocking the rental market and providing safe and professionally managed housing options for students.
Growth – Support the PBSA sector by removing barriers to growth like foreign investor taxes and charges.
Education – Increase awareness about the important economic, social and wellbeing impacts of the sector amongst policy makers, investors, educational institutions and the public.
Unity – Work with the entire education supply chain to strengthen relationships between institutions, accommodation providers and all levels of government.Â
Consistency – Provide consistent regulatory frameworks for PBSA providers across Australia, ensuring an even playing field that encourages investment regardless of jurisdiction.
Media Releases
View the latest media releases related to the PBSA sector.Â
New report reveals little housing gain from international student caps
Capping international student visas will only save the average metropolitan renter less than 1 per cent in rent, a new report reveals.
Historic focus on student accommodation welcomed
The Student Accommodation Council has welcomed the government’s historic recognition in the Budget of the critical role purpose-built student accommodation sector (PBSA) plays in providing a first-class experience for international students but warned against forcing universities to compete directly with the private market.
Focus on quality not caps: Student Accommodation CouncilÂ
The Student Accommodation Council has warned that the federal government’s Migration Strategy must genuinely focus on raising the quality of international student visas and closing existing loopholes, not just arbitrarily reducing international student numbers.Â
Student Accommodation Division Council
Comprising 14 members from across the industry, the Student Accommodation Division Council directs the Division's strategy and activity in line with the National Board's vision.
The role of our Division Council is to best represent the interests of all members across the Student Accommodation sector. Council members are nominated by industry peers and elected for a two year term, with the President also securing a position on the National Board. Division Councils are responsible for driving the Property Council’s agenda specific to the Division, and leveraging the Property Council’s campaigns and initiatives to achieve targeted results. The Division Council meets monthly and the current representatives commenced their tenure in April 2025.
Not a member yet?
We welcome membership from organisations who own, build, invest in or manage purpose-built student accommodation.
Awards
For almost 40 years, the Property Council of Australia has hosted the industry’s most prestigious awards. As champions of our industry we celebrate and reward excellence. Winning a Property Council award means truly being at the top of your game.
Innovation & Excellence Awards
The annual Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards are the most prominent property awards in Australia, promoting excellence in design and innovation in the built environment since 1982.
National Retirement Living Awards
The Property Council’s National Retirement Living Awards celebrate excellence and achievement across all parts of the retirement living sector.Â
Upcoming Academy courses
Comprising workshops, online learning and industry diploma courses, our Academy provides the resources to enhance the professional lives of our members. It's a professional development platform with something for everyone.
Latest news
View the latest news related to the PBSA sector.Â
Brookfield, Citiplan finish student accommodation digs in Melbourne
Multiplex has completed a 452-bed purpose-built student accommodation project in Melbourne – Journal Campus House – which is the first project of the joint venture between Brookfield Asset Management and Citiplan.
International student numbers face cut in Coalition plan
The Coalition has announced plans to reduce the number of international first year students if elected, however the student accommodation sector has argued that universities should instead guarantee beds for students coming to Australia.
Student accommodation supply pipeline increases
New research released today reveals Australia’s student accommodation development pipeline has grown by 5,605 beds since Semester One last year, bringing the total pipeline of student-only beds to 35,605.
Our members
