Thrilled to share that the Student Accommodation Association (SAA), with the invaluable support of Study NSW, recently convened in Newcastle to address pressing issues surrounding student accommodation.

The event featured insightful discussions led by key figures in the sector, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Kent Anderson, DVC - Global Engagements and Partnerships, University of Newcastle, a prominent voice for international education, delved into the short-term future, emphasising the complexities arising from unprecedented student growth, dwindling accommodation availability, a weakened Australian dollar, and media-driven public perception challenges. Navigating these waters will be essential in maintaining a healthy student accommodation landscape.

Toshi Kawaguchi, Director, Study NSW, stressed the critical role international education plays in supporting the economy and community of NSW. Jobs, talent, and global connectivity are at stake, making it imperative for the community to rally behind this vital export. Toshi shared both short and long-term solutions to tackle the accommodation challenges faced by students in NSW and Australia.

Geoff Denison, President, SAA, introduced the National Property Accreditation Scheme NPAS, emphasising the importance of a unified message and terminology to guide students in finding suitable accommodation. A common ground in the student housing landscape is pivotal for ensuring the well-being and satisfaction of our international students.

The event sparked constructive dialogues, fostering a collaborative approach to address the complex issues at hand. It is evident that a united effort from all stakeholders is crucial to ensure a positive and sustainable future for student accommodation.

We would like to thank event speakers, sponsors, and attendees for their invaluable contributions. Special thank you to SAA National Committee members Rebecca Bendall and Paul Tosch for assisting in event preparation.

“We have an opportunity to be a global leader, with a national student accommodation strategy… and the national property accreditation scheme is a key step.” Alex Elibank Murray

With a full room of sector experts and passionate providers, there were plenty of takeaways at the Student Accommodation Association (SAA) industry lunch in Brisbane on December 1. 

• Australia is not alone in its concerns for students accessing suitable accommodation whilst studying, but we have an opportunity to lead with a national strategy. 
• Importance of dedicated onsite after-hours support for students in housing as a preventative for incidents and supporting a positive living experience.
• Talking to those outside the sector about the international education and student accommodation sectors to challenge myths and rumours about international students.
• ‍ You will always be judged on your internet speed!

Thanks for the excellent presentations from Alex Elibank Murray from the University of the Sunshine Coast and Michael Bell from Constant Security Services, a future thinking panel with Matt Row (UniLodge ), Kylie Cooper (Study Queensland) and Daisey Stampfer (Superloop) and Rebecca Bendall for facilitating the panel.

We would like to thank StarRez, Inc., Constant Security Services and Study NSW, without your ongoing support events like this wouldn't be possible.

We're delighted to welcome the University of Sydney as a new Executive Member of the Student Accommodation Association.

The University of Sydney Student Accommodation Portfolio is a comprehensive housing solution catering to the diverse needs of students attending the University of Sydney. With a commitment to providing a secure, comfortable, and supportive living environment, the portfolio encompasses various modern residences strategically located in proximity to the university's main campus.

"As a member of the Student Accommodation Association, I am looking forward to the industry connections, insights and best practices that will support both myself and my team, who are constantly looking at new and innovative ways to improve the student experience, the support we offer and the facilities available to our residents." said Sarah P., General Manager, Accommodation Operations.

The University of Sydney has accommodation on both the Darlington and Camperdown Campus’ as well as remote sites such as Camden, Bourke and other regional areas that support our placement students. The University of Sydney Student Accommodation Portfolio ensures accessibility and convenience for students. Each residence is designed to foster a sense of community and promote a conducive atmosphere for academic and personal growth.

We look forward to working with the University of Sydney Accommodation team!

We're delighted to welcome Trinity College, the University of Melbourne as a new Executive Member of the Student Accommodation Association!

"At the Pathways School, Trinity College – we are heavily invested in ensuring that our students receive an excellent education and an exceptional experience in Australia. The quality of accommodation for a student has an enormous impact on their wellbeing while studying. Being an active participant in conversations that inform the shape and future of student accommodation is very important to us as an industry stakeholder." said Louis Clay, Associate Dean (Student Journey), Trinity College | University of Melbourne.

We're looking forward to working with Louis and the Trinity College team!

SAA President Geoff Denison will be presenting during the 33rd ISANA Conference, which will be held in Sydney on 6-8 December 2023.

His presentation, titled "Student Accommodation is Not Just a Place to Live", will cover the importance of quality student accommodation for the overall student experience in Australia.

Delivered by ISANA International Education Association Inc., the 33rd ISANA Conference topic is Community, Connections: Advancing International Education Services. The conference's robust program covers a variety of topics delivered by acknowledged industry experts. Read more about the conference, go to isanaconference.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the event.

We're thrilled to announce our partnership with Study NSW. The Showcasing Quality Student Accommodation and Best Practice in NSW project aims to promore the value of NPAS accreditation within the student accommodation and education sectors in both regional and metropolitan New South Wales.

The sponsorship will enable SAA to organise a special industry event, scheduled to take place in Newcastle, NSW, at the beginning of December.

SAA is excited about this opportunity to make a positive impact on the student accommodation landscape in NSW. By promoting NPAS accreditation and showcasing best practices, SAA and Study NSW aim to provide students with the high-quality accommodation, contributing to a positive educational experience.

We are delighted to welcome UniAcco to the SAA community as a new non-executive member!

UniAcco is the largest global student accommodation platform aiming to simplify the process of finding premium yet affordable accommodations for students near renowned universities worldwide. The organisation is catering to students from 145+ countries, with offices in the largest source markets - China and India. 

"We are thrilled to partner with the SAA and its esteemed partners to shape the future of student accommodation in Australia. Our goal is to create a thriving community for students and accommodation providers across Australia and provide a supportive and enriching environment for academic journeys." said Priyam Joshi, Head of International Relations at UniAcco.

UniAcco works with 100+ property managers, including Scape, UniLodge, Iglu, Yugo, and others, and with a strong sales and marketing engine, has crossed over 30,000 student bookings across the UK, Australia, and other regions.

To learn more, visit their website https://uniacco.com/.

The Student Accommodation Association hosted an industry networking lunch in Melbourne on Friday, 6 October. Over 30 industry professionals gathered together to discuss the role student accommodation plays in delivering a quality education experience in Victoria. 

Key Highlights:

1️⃣ The Importance of Student Accommodation: Quality student accommodation is more than just a place to stay; it enhances the overall student experience. And the National Property Accreditation Scheme #NPAS, as the industry stamp of quality, plays an important part in enhancing Australia's reputation as a preferred study destination.

2️⃣ NPAS Benefits to Education Providers: Embracing NPAS not only promotes quality student accommodation but compliments an institution's commitment to student support, ultimately enhancing the overall student experience.

A big thank you to all participants for their valuable insights and collaboration. Thank you to our insightful speakers, Phil Honeywood, CEO, International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) and Louis Clay, Associate Dean – Student Journey, Trinity College, the University of Melbourne. 

️A special thank you to our generous sponsors, StarRez, Inc. and CONSTANT for making this event possible! 

Let's continue to raise the bar for student accommodation in Australia!

It's our pleasure to welcome The University of Adelaide College (UoAC) as our new Non-Executive Member!

"The University of Adelaide College (UoAC) is committed to ensuring that our international students have high quality, safe and secure student accommodation. To enable the opportunity of having a home away from home is so important, so that our students can then focus and succeed with their studies. To be secure personally means that they can better succeed professionally. This results in a positive outcome for the students, for the College and for the city of Adelaide, which can then promote us as a destination of choice for future international students.

Being a member of the Student Accommodation Association (SAA) enables us to network with other similar-thinking professionals involved in supporting international students with quality accommodation needs. The SAA share the same values as UoAC to enhance the Australian education experience, and as a professional association, we can call on them for experience, knowledge and guidance, if required." said Derek Milligan, National Campus Director.

The University of Adelaide College provides students with a pathway to undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Adelaide — a prestigious Australian university within the renowned ‘Group of Eight’ in the country and consistently ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide.

On behalf of the National Committee, we welcome UoAC and look forward to our collaboration!

At the latest Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Student Accommodation Association (SAA) held on August 28th, the National Committee Members for the 2023/24 term were announced.

We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Alex Elibank Murray, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global and Engagement) of the University of the Sunshine Coast, who joins the SAA national committee. With her wealth of experience and expertise in student engagement, Alex is set to make significant contributions to the committee's efforts in improving student experience.

"I am delighted to be joining the Student Accommodation Association's National Committee. The opportunity to collaborate with dedicated and passionate individuals who share a common goal of enhancing the student experience through improved accommodation is exciting and timely. I look forward to making a contribution alongside fellow committee members to create positive and lasting changes that will positively impact students and enhance their educational experience," said Alex Elibank Murray.

As we welcome new members, we also take a moment to bid farewell to a valued member of the SAA committee. David Riordan, who served as the National Committee Secretary, has dedicated two years of service to the association. David's commitment and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the SAA's initiatives, including the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS), and fostering strong industry partnerships at both the state and international levels. The Student Accommodation Association would like to express its deepest gratitude to David for his exceptional service.

The new committee is committed to working towards our shared mission of enhancing student accommodation experiences. Stay connected with us for updates on our upcoming initiatives.