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.

SAA is pleased to announce that a lot of interest was generated nationally for the formation of SAA regional sub-committees in each state.

Over 20 members attended SAA Regional Sub-Committee online meetings across most states and territories last month.

Discussions were held around what activities will be planned in each state to ensure members can connect and discuss local industry matters specific to their region so they can be elevated to the SAA national agenda.

The formation of SAA regional groups is a positive way of enabling member companies, organisations and institutions to get local staff involved in SAA.

The first regional face-to-face meetings are being planned, with the first meeting in Perth at the end of April. Stay tuned for future updates. 

What a great turnout and successful event at the SAA Networking Lunch in Sydney yesterday!

More than 75 student accommodation operators and key government decision makers met in the NSW Parliament House for an update on how this multi-billion dollar sector is recovering.

Thank you so much to all the guests and speakers Paul Savitz, Karla Lampe, Toshi Kawaguchi, Helen Kronberger, Heather Kettle, and Rebecca Hall GAICD for your time and invaluable contribution. Thank you to Denise von Wald, FAICD and David Riordan for moderating the event.

The key insights of the event will be published soon, stay tuned!

Finally, a big shout-out to all of our sponsors and partners - without you, the event wouldn't have been a success! Study NSW, Savills Australia & New Zealand, StarRez, Inc., and Constant Security Services

Student Accommodation Association is delighted to welcome a new corporate sponsor, Constant.

We hope our collaboration will help elevate student safety, wellbeing & security.

Constant has been delivering Student Accommodation Safety Officers and other support services for over 14 years. They provide an integrated operational service that provides real support, tailored to specific needs of their clients, allowing them to get on with what’s most important.

"We have always been here – you just didn’t know it – and we are here to help!".

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Congratulations to Unilodge JCU Halls Of Residence Burralga Yumba, Queensland and UniLodge CU Twin Dolphin Hall, Western Australia on becoming National Property Accreditation Scheme accredited!

The newest accommodation for JCU Townsville features a range of spaces to study, relax and socialise in. Burralga Yumba aims to deliver a high-quality residential experience that celebrates Townsville’s tropical environment, a place that fosters community engagement, balances students’ academic and social experiences; to create an aspirational student home. 

Twin Dolphin Hall is one of the newest Perth student accommodation buildings that has 24/7 security, electronic access, CCTV in our reception and lobby, as well as after-hours staff available for students' safety and wellbeing.

For a student accommodation property to be NPAS accredited, it must comply with the minimum standards in terms of amenity, facility, security, customer service and management processes. 

The NPAS stamp of approval promotes the value of accommodation provided for the exclusive use of students as well as supports and enhances their education experience in Australia.

To see the full list of accredited properties, please visit https://npas.org.au/accredited-properties/.

SAA is excited to announce that UniLodge Lincoln House is now NPAS accredited!

“UniLodge was proud to apply for NPAS accreditation through SAA for UniLodge Lincoln House. In doing so, we will not only continue to lead the market in accommodation and community management, but would like to play a vital role in starting the movement into thinking about industry-led minimum standards as the norm, especially as providers of exclusive use student accommodation.” Matt Row, Chief Operating Officer of UniLodge stated.

UniLodge Lincoln House is a unique, purpose-built student accommodation located just a few short steps away from The University of Melbourne. UniLodge Lincoln House features a beautiful rooftop garden with BBQs, landscaped courtyards and terrace, study rooms, gym, lounges with TV and a games room. Rooms are available as ensuite or shared bathrooms and all include a bed, study desk, great storage and wardrobe space. With a kitchenette on every floor plus a master-chef-like communal kitchen, our residents can interact and socialise with this incredibly unique living experience.

UniLodge Lincoln House joins the portfolio of NPAS accredited properties satisfying the accreditation requirements that comply with the minimum industry standards set by SAA with respect to amenity, facility, security, customer service and management processes.

NPAS offers providers of student accommodation the opportunity to align their new offerings with these industry-led minimum standards. Properties that are assessed and become NPAS accredited provide students with greater certainty and consistency in their student accommodation choices.

Do you want your property to be accredited? Apply for your NPAS accreditation today at https://npas.org.au/.

The Student Accommodation Association would like to congratulate Y Suites on Waymouth (South Australia) on becoming newly National Property Accreditation Scheme Accredited, with the property meeting all of the set industry led minimum standards to meet NPAS accreditation. SAA was pleased to be able to present the NPAS accreditation certificate to Y Suites at the SAA networking lunch in Adelaide held on Thursday, 25 August 2022.

Y Suites on Waymouth operates accommodation for the exclusive use of students and is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience for its residents, valuing excellent customer service, customer-centric innovation and technology integration.

“Through the accreditation, we are keen to advance industry and professional standards and further promote student’s wellbeing” said Goh Wee Shian, General Manager of Y Suites.

The Student Accommodation Association conducted its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 25 August, during which the 22/23 SAA National Committee was endorsed by participating members.

The National Committee for the new term is as follows: 

The Student Accommodation Association held another industry gathering in Adelaide on Thursday, 25 August 2022. The topic of the event was focused on reimagining South Australia as a study destination and it was a great success.
 
It was great to learn that student accommodation has achieved an elevated profile amongst Australian international education largely as a result of the sector support for international students during the pandemic. There is a heightened level of awareness amongst education providers as to the competitive advantage access to student accommodation can play in enhancing the Australian education offering and international student experience.
 
SAA looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively, on behalf of our members, with governments and education stakeholders to promote NPAS to enable international students to make an informed accommodation choice.
 
Special thanks to Hon Susan Close MP, Deputy Premier of South Australia, Torie Brown, Executive Director, Student Accommodation Council, Jane Johnston, Chief Executive, StudyAdelaide, Belinda Henderson, General Manager, The Switch, Oscar Zi Shao Ong, National President, the Council of International Students Australia (CISA)and Grant Smith, StarRez for their valuable contributions. Special mention also goes to Rebecca Bendall (SAA National Committee member) for coordinating proceedings.
 
The Student Accommodation Association was delighted to award Y Suites (South Australia) and UniLodge Australia Lincoln House (Victoria) with their NPAS accreditation certificates.

The Student Accommodation Association was proud to take part in the ICEF Australia New Zealand (ANZA) 2022 event held between June 14 to June 17 2022 in Adelaide.

SAA would like to thank ICEF for the opportunity to speak at ICEF ANZA 2022, with Geoff Denison (Associate Director, Student Accommodation Services at the University of Adelaide, and President, SAA) and Rebecca Bendall (Director, Global Platforms at Torrens University, and Committee Member, SAA) representing SAA and presenting the National Property Accreditation Scheme to attendees.

NPAS provides education providers with the confidence to actively promote a clear and consistent accommodation message and NPAS accredited properties demonstrate Australia’s commitment to international student safety and wellbeing.

Education agents in attendance who are key influencers in international student accommodation decision making welcomed NPAS as a valuable program that identifies quality accommodation for the exclusive use of students, and will support and enhance the student education experience in Australia.

ICEF ANZA 2022 brought the global community of educators, institutions, agents, and industry related service providers together to focus on recruiting students from around the world to institutions in Australia and New Zealand.

The ICEF ANZA 2022 14-17 June Event Report is available now and can be accessed here.