Student digs sector ready to help solve housing challenges
Cutting student visa numbers was a blunt instrument, did little to ease rental pressure and put serious strain on one of Australia’s most valuable exports, says the Property Council.
ANTHONY Albanese’s landslide win is an opportunity to reverse the pushback against international students.
That’s the view of the Property Council Student Accommodation Council Executive Director Torie Brown who repeated her views that they are not to blame for the housing crisis.
It represents an opportunity for higher education and the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sectors to take a collaborative approach to housing and international education policy, she said.
“As our previous reports have shown, international students are not to blame for Australia’s housing challenges,” said Torie.
“They account for just six per cent of the rental market, and more than 40 per cent live outside of the residential rental market entirely.
“Cutting student visa numbers was always a blunt instrument – one that would do little to ease rental pressure while putting serious strain on one of Australia’s most valuable and resilient export sectors.
“The Student Accommodation Council continues to call for a national accommodation guarantee for all first-year international students studying at metropolitan universities.
“This reform would ensure students have a secure, supported start to life in Australia and would drive the development of new student-only housing.
“By partnering with the PBSA sector, universities can help ensure international students secure professionally managed, student-only housing before arrival – easing pressure on the general rental market.
“With the election now behind us, investors can start to look at Australia with confidence again.
“But they need to see clear policy signals that support growth in student accommodation, not policies that jeopardise our international education sector.
“We look forward to continuing our advocacy with the Albanese Government and working with policymakers from all sides to support a thriving higher education sector and a coordinated national approach to student housing.”
The Australian Conveyancer highlighted that investment in student digs had jumped by an incredible x15 already in 2025 – to $1.8 billion.
Read that article here
