The property industry is Australia’s biggest employer and largest industry. It touches the lives of Australians every day and underpins Australia’s business environment – a thriving property industry generates a confident and prosperous economy.
There’s a proverb that says, “A society grows great when old people plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Property is just like that, it’s creating and building the world for future generations: our great, great, great grandchildren. And we don’t want to get that wrong because our very wellbeing and quality of life is at stake. This is why we champion and advocate for cities that are wonderful and liveable, communities where people love to live and work, and an economy that builds prosperity for everyone.
The work we do helps uplift the entire industry, and in turn creates better outcomes for millions of Australians.
The research we undertake helps our members make better business decisions. And it helps inform policymakers to make decisions that generate better outcomes for communities across Australia.
We also take a leading role in educating our members and the wider population about the opportunities the sector has to expand its positive social and environmental impact. For example, the built environment makes up more than 50 per cent of the country’s electricity use and over 25 per cent of our country’s carbon emissions. This places property in a powerful position to help Australia achieve its net zero targets.
Australia’s property sector is in fact a world leader in sustainability, and our industry looks to the Property Council to provide trusted guidance and leadership in Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) policies.
The industry is also united in its commitment to increasing diversity and promoting inclusion, and the Property Council plays a key role in creating programs and initiatives that deliver meaningful results.
Many parts of the industry have also long been committed to reconciliation and achieving positive outcomes for First Nations people. We launched our own Reconciliation Action Plan in 2022 and have created a network of Elders from whom we listen and learn.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
The property industry is a leader in the race to drastically reduce emissions and promote environmentally and socially sustainable development: many of our members have been recognised as global business leaders in the ESG space and continue to push the boundaries with ambitious carbon reduction targets. As the industry voice, we are actively working to enhance and promote diversity and positive social impact wherever and however we can.
Our Industry Committees
Our Industry Committees are focused on driving the agenda for specific issues relevant to the industry and work with Division Councils to help inform and implement our advocacy agenda. More than 1,900 people serve on around 130 specialist industry committees across our national and state jurisdictions. Committee positions are highly coveted and offer the chance for individuals to expand their network, raise their profile, build market knowledge and help shape the work we do.
Australian Property Hall of Fame
Established by the Property Council in 2012, the Australian Property Hall of Fame honours individuals who have provided sustained leadership, made a major pioneering contribution, and left an outstanding legacy to the property industry and Australian community.
Each year we salute our industry’s luminaries at the annual Property Council Hall of Fame dinner in Canberra, celebrating their pioneering leadership, visionary entrepreneurship, and the rich legacy they leave for Australian communities.
Awards
Our annual Property Council / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards and Retirement Living Awards play an important role in advancing the industry. Each year we celebrate the people and projects pushing the boundaries, delivering innovation, excellence and community benefit and challenging our members to do better. Celebrated at an inspiring annual gala event, winning a Property Council award means you’re truly a the top of the game.
Industry sectors
Capital Markets
Find the latest news, advocacy, research and events for domestic and international capital markets.
Cities, Precincts and Infrastructure
Find the latest news, advocacy, research and events for cities, precincts and infrastructure.
Environmental, Social and Governance
Find the latest news, advocacy, research and events for environment, social and governance (ESG).
Residential and Build-to-Rent
Find the latest news, advocacy, research and events for the residential and build-to-rent sectors.
Retirement Living
Find the latest news, advocacy, research and events for Retirement Living.
Social Infrastructure
Find the latest news, advocacy, research and events for social infrastructure.
Technology
Find the latest news, advocacy, research and events for innovation and technology.
Student Accommodation
Find the latest news, advocacy, research and events for purpose-built student accommodation.
Reconciliation
As Australia’s largest industry, the property sector can be a strong partner with First Nations people to help progress economic empowerment and deliver meaningful outcomes. Across the industry our members have taken leadership positions promoting reconciliation over many years, with established programs and partnerships delivering some of the most significant positive outcomes for First Nations people in the Australian business community.
We are in the early stages of our reconciliation journey following the launch of our first Reconciliation Action Plan in 2022, but are united in our steadfast commitment to listening and learning to generate positive social impact wherever and however we can.
Life Members
Generations of members have worked to grow and strengthen our industry, but there are some who have made contributions that are so remarkable that they deserve special recognition. These people are our Life Members.
Life Members have demonstrated outstanding individual leadership and made contributions that fundamentally improved the Property Council’s ability to serve its members. Life Members are selected by the National Board and awarded annually at a National, State or Division level.
History
The Property Council of Australia was founded in 1969 as the Building, Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), originally established as an educational and professional body that soon evolved to represent members on matters of public policy. The organisation officially became the Property Council of Australia in 1996, and today we represent Australia’s largest industry – shaping cities and creating communities.
Careers
The Property Council is a dynamic and vibrant organisation where no two days are ever the same. We’re proud to contribute to the success of the sector and help create a better future for all Australians, because we know that the downstream effect of a thriving property industry is a buoyant business industry, and a prosperous Australia. Find out more about working with us.