Leaders from across the property, education and investment sectors gathered in Sydney today for the Student Accommodation Council’s Future of the Sector: PBSA in Australia event, where discussions focused on the need for governments to boost PBSA supply targets and underlined the critical link between housing supply, international education, migration and investment.
Student Accommodation Council Executive Director Dr Adele Lausberg said the debate over migration and international students was missing a critical point.
“Every student housed in PBSA is one less person competing in the private rental market.
“International students are increasingly being drawn into Australia’s housing debate, but reducing student numbers does not create the housing supply Australia needs.
“If governments want to ease rental pressure, they should help us build more dedicated student housing, not undermine the demand and investment needed to deliver it.”
Australia has a pipeline of roughly 47,000 PBSA beds, 13,000 under construction and more than 21,000 with planning approval but no crane on site.
Dr Lausberg said the opportunity was clear, investment will flow to the states where tax policies and tenancy reform are most favourable.
“Investors need certainty. That means competitive tax settings, fit-for-purpose tenancy laws, clear planning pathways and recognition of PBSA as a distinct accommodation class.
“Get those settings right and capital will flow, more student housing will be built and pressure will come off the rental market.
“Get them wrong and Australia will lose investment, lose housing supply and weaken an international education industry that supports our universities, jobs and economy.”
