The Property Council WA recently provided its members with valuable insights into the future of Student Housing at the ‘What’s Next for Student Accommodation Sector’ lunch. Suzie Turner (URBIS), Tim Urquhart (Curtin University), Tim Klitscher (YUGO), Fiona Crowe (St Catherine’s College, UWA), and moderator Fred Chaney (TRCB) joined the stage to deliver a compelling panel session, shedding light on the vital role Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) plays in boosting the student market and why attracting more students is essential to boosting the Australian economy.
Notable takeaways from the panel discussion included:
- Catering to a range of students’ needs is crucial in defining the necessary type of PBSA. Examples include creating vibrant collegiate experiences for undergraduates while providing greater independence for master’s students. Additionally, consideration should be given for short-stay international students.
- To drive potential investment and operators into PBSA, there needs to be more robust, high-quality information to help inform investors decision-making, such as federal reports on future demand, enrolment numbers and occupancy rates.
- A call for collaborative efforts among accommodation providers, government bodies, and universities to ensure quality housing options in high locations, enhancing the overall student experience.
- The importance of continuing to promote Western Australia as a destination of choice for students. We should be positioning WA as the “Gateway to the Universe,” backed by its top-ranked universities and notable growth in tech and agri-tech sectors.
- The panel recognised the importance of students’ economic contributions, citing examples from Victoria, where students vitalise night markets and contribute to local businesses.
Another highlight was our expert host Adina Cirson, Acting Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia Student Accommodation Council, who joined us from New South Wales. Adina offered an insightful snapshot of the PBSA sector, sharing significant statistics about Australia’s PBSA landscape. Her presentation highlighted the fact that PBSA buildings nationwide are nearly at full capacity, further underscoring the importance of the panel’s discussion.
Thank you to our event co-hosts, Curtin University and TRCB, for their support in making this event possible.
