The Student Accommodation Association gave evidence to the Federal Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade's subcommittee inquiry into international tourism and education yesterday in Melbourne.

It was a wonderful opportunity to update the parliamentary subcommittee on the exceptional work SAA members have undertaken in developing a robust set of industry-led minimum standards and implementing the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS) stamp of quality.

NPAS provides Australian international education stakeholders with the confidence to identify and promote NPAS-accredited providers to international students in a clear, coherent, and consistent manner.

NPAS stands to be the prerequisite requirement for inclusion or representation in student material provided by education providers and government agencies.

NPAS assists to define student accommodation (where students are treated as customers) over other accommodation where they must be prepared to act as tenants – helping them to make an informed accommodation choice and reducing the risk of finding themselves in unregulated, below standard, rental accommodation.

SAA looks forward to continuing to work with local, state and federal government to gain the endorsement of NPAS properties which will further assist international students and their parents when making the critical decision about accommodation when moving to Australia.

For more information on NPAS accredited properties please visit our website.