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.
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.
Myth busting international students’ role in the rental crisis
In this landmark report released by the Student Accommodation Council it has been revealed that international students are not the cause of the housing crisis – making up only four per cent of Australia’s rental market Australia wide.
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 2023.Â
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.
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
Student accommodation supply nearly doubles in last decade
The number of student accommodation beds has grown rapidly over the last decade, almost doubling in scale, driven by a shift toward private purpose-built student accommodation, new research has revealed.
New report reveals little housing gain from international student capsÂ
Capping international student visas would lower metropolitan rents by less than one per cent and only lower the share of international students in the rental market by just 0.6 per cent, a new report has found.
Scape achieves sector first in sustainability
Scape, Australia’s largest owner and operator of purpose-built-student-accommodation, has become the first in the sector to achieve a world-leading 6 Star Green Star Design rating.
Our members
