Student Accommodation Association - Latest News

SAA National Committee for 2026/27

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:05:05 +1000

We’re proud to introduce the Student Accommodation Association National Committee for 2026/27, as we continue to bring together leaders from across the sector who share a passionate commitment to raising quality standards and supporting an exceptional student experience.

🔹 President – Geoff Denison, Adelaide University (SA)
🔹 Vice President – Professor Kent Anderson, Co-opted (ACT)
🔹 Treasurer – Eloise Gilbert, UniLodge (QLD)
🔹 Secretary – Tim Klitscher, Yugo (QLD)
🔹 Committee Member – Alex Elibank Murray, University of the Sunshine Coast (QLD)
🔹 Committee Member – Craig Carracher AM, Scape (NSW)
🔹 Committee Member – Rebecca Bendall (IEAA-F), Co-opted (SA)
🔹 Committee Member – Ron De Haan GAICD, Co-opted (NSW)

After nine remarkable years of outstanding service, Matt Row has stepped down as Vice President, and we extend our sincere thanks for his significant contribution to SAA.

As a founding member of the National Committee, Matt has given an enormous amount of time and energy to establishing SAA and supporting the successful implementation of the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS). His leadership and commitment have been central to the Association’s success. Thank you, Matt!

As we move into 2026/27, our focus remains firmly on enhancing the member experience and building on the progress already being made across the sector. We thank all National Committee members for their ongoing commitment and look forward to what we can achieve together in the year ahead.

If you are interested in submitting an Expression of Interest to join the SAA National Committee in the future, please contact us for more information or to discuss what is involved: secretary@studentaccassoc.com.au.

SAA at Ōtautahi (Christchurch, NZ) Student Accommodation Forum

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:49:44 +1000

SAA President Geoff Denison joined the Ōtautahi (Christchurch) Student Accommodation Forum at University of Canterbury in New Zealand, taking part alongside stakeholders from across the city's education, government and private sectors to discuss the future of student accommodation.

Geoff spoke about regional collaboration, drawing on his experience as a founding SAA National Committee member and his work guiding the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS) from concept to a portfolio of more than 25,000 accredited beds nationally.

The Forum attendees described Geoff's session as interesting and thought-provoking. While the solutions taking shape in New Zealand will differ from those in Australia, the underlying drivers and student needs are the same, and that shared ground made for a useful discussion.

Christchurch's growing interest in minimum standards for student accommodation points to a shift happening across the region, and supports the value of the work NPAS has already done in Australia.

NPAS remains specific to the Australian market, where it supports Australia's reputation as a destination for quality international education. As interest in minimum standards grows across the Tasman, it's a good time for Australian education providers to get behind NPAS. Here's how:

✅ Promote the accredited national portfolio to prospective students
✅ Include it in pre-departure material
✅ Feature it on websites and across digital marketing

Education providers wanting help promoting accredited accommodation can contact SAA HQ on admin@studentaccassoc.com.au.

Welcome to the SAA National Committee, Eloise Gilbert

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 11:10:25 +1000

Student Accommodation Association is pleased to welcome Eloise Gilbert to the SAA National Committee, where she takes on the role of Treasurer.

Eloise has worked with UniLodge for over 14 years, progressing from Front Office Reception roles to Regional General Manager. During this time, she has worked across multiple states, teams and student accommodation operations, gaining broad experience across the sector.

Eloise enjoys working collaboratively with all stakeholders, and is focused on supporting and innovating with teams, delivering positive resident and client experiences, and maintaining strong strategic outcomes.

We also take a moment to bid farewell to our valued member of the SAA National Committee, Matt Row, for his long-standing dedication to the association. The SAA extends its sincere appreciation for Matt's outstanding contributions.

We are delighted to welcome Eloise to the SAA National Committee and look forward to her leadership and insights in advancing the student accommodation industry across Australia.

Study NSW: Why SAA Membership and NPAS Accreditation Matter

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:03:52 +1000

The Student Accommodation Association (SAA) was proud to welcome Study NSW as the Event Sponsor of our recent industry lunch in New South Wales (NSW). The event brought together contributors across the student accommodation sector to discuss what quality really means for international students choosing NSW as their home away from home.

Study NSW's support reflects a shared goal between government and industry: making sure every student who arrives in NSW knows they're getting a quality product.

Standards That Build Trust
As Nate Henderson, Associate Director representing Study NSW, explained at the lunch, SAA's role goes beyond setting benchmarks. It's about giving students confidence before they've even landed. "The standards that SAA delivers really make sure that we can make the postcard for students, that when they arrive, they know that what they're going to get is a quality product," he said. That confidence matters because of who these students are. "We know that these are quality students coming to NSW. We know that they want to study, they want to contribute."

A Sector-Led Initiative, Backed by Government
Study NSW was an early supporter of the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS), an initiative born from within the sector itself. "SAA and the NPAS were started by the sector," Henderson noted. "Our role in government is to help showcase that great work, to help promote it and to help expand the great work that they're already doing."
For Study NSW, the relationship is one of facilitation rather than direction. "We're able to promote it. We're able to tell people, students, prospective students about it, work with education providers on showcasing why standards matter."

A Sanctuary Away From Home
Henderson also touched on what's at stake for students personally. Arriving in a foreign country without knowing what to expect can be daunting, and accommodation plays a bigger role than just a place to sleep. "Our home is our sanctuary, and we really want to make sure that they have a sanctuary when they're here. They can therefore be better at their studies, better at their employment and have a better overall experience." Henderson said.

Promoting NSW as the Destination of Choice
NPAS gives Study NSW the confidence to promote NSW accommodation options on the world stage, knowing accredited properties meet a consistent quality bar. Henderson noted: "This is the state that has it all. No other state in Australia has so many opportunities for international students to study different courses, to live in different places and to have jobs in a variety of sectors."

Looking Ahead
SAA thanks Study NSW for its continued partnership and for sponsoring this NSW industry lunch. As Henderson said, the goal is bigger than any single sector. "We continue to work with SAA and other key players in the sector to make sure that we continue to showcase NSW as the best place to not just work and study, but also to live."

Interested in NPAS accreditation? Visit www.npas.org.au
Learn more about SAA membership: www.studentaccassoc.com.au/membership

SAA taking part at Ōtautahi (Christchurch, NZ) Student Accommodation Forum

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:37:38 +1000

Interest in student accommodation standards is building across the Tasman.

SAA President Geoff Denison will take part in the Ōtautahi (Christchurch) Student Accommodation Forum at University of Canterbury on Thursday, 2 July 2026, joining stakeholders from across Ōtautahi Christchurch's education, government, and private sectors to look at the future of the sector.

Geoff will speak on regional collaboration, drawing on his experience as a founding SAA National Committee member and his work guiding the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS) from concept to a portfolio of more than 23,000 accredited beds nationally.

Ōtautahi Christchurch's growing interest in minimum standards for student accommodation reflects the value of the NPAS approach and points to its potential for further growth in Australia. NPAS remains specific to the Australian market, where it sets quality student accommodation apart and supports Australia's reputation as a quality international education study destination.

While growing international interest in minimum standards underscores the value of NPAS and its potential for further development in Australia, SAA is calling on Australian education providers to show their support. Providers can promote the NPAS national portfolio to prospective students, including in pre-departure material, on websites, and across digital marketing assets. Education providers looking for help to promote accredited accommodation can contact SAA HQ for more information.

Find out more about the forum at https://avenues-otautahi-student-accommodation-forum.eventsair.site/.

To read more about NPAS, visit https://npas.org.au/.

Welcome Inndeavor Property Group as a new Non-Executive Member of SAA!

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:31:22 +1000

We're delighted to welcome Inndeavor Property Group as a new Non-Executive Member of the Student Accommodation Association (SAA)!

Inndeavor Property Group is an Australian student accommodation and co-living operator dedicated to providing high-quality housing for international students and young professionals. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Sydney, Inndeavor has grown into a global team of more than 100 employees, operating across major Australian cities. Over more than a decade in the industry, the company has assisted more than 60,000 clients with their accommodation needs, building long-term relationships with universities, PBSA operators, property developers and real estate agencies along the way.

Beyond accommodation, Inndeavor offers furniture rental, resident support programs, community engagement initiatives, membership benefits and rental guarantee services, all aimed at creating a genuine "Home Away From Home" experience for students navigating life in a new country.

Lance Li, CEO of Inndeavor Property Group, shared why this membership matters to them:

"Every year, thousands of students arrive in Australia to begin a new chapter of their academic and personal journey, and accommodation is often the very first step in that experience. We believe that quality student accommodation is about far more than providing a bed — it is about creating a sense of belonging, helping students integrate into their communities, and supporting them as they navigate life in a new country.
Joining the Student Accommodation Association reflects our commitment to working alongside universities, accommodation providers, and industry partners to continually enhance the student living experience. We look forward to contributing to the development of industry standards, sharing insights, and helping create safer, more welcoming, and more sustainable accommodation environments for future generations of students."

Welcome to the SAA community, Lance and the Inndeavor team!

What Students Need from Their Accommodation and Where The Sector Is Falling Short

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:15:11 +1000

When a student arrives in Australia, often for the first time and often from the other side of the world, their accommodation is not just a place to sleep. It is where they form friendships, navigate the transition to independent life and try to keep up with their studies. The physical space matters, but so does other factors, such as who is looking out for them, whether the internet works at 11pm, and whether anyone notices if something is wrong.

These questions sat at the centre of a recent discussion hosted by Student Accommodation Australia (SAA), bringing together practitioners from resident management, safety and security, and digital infrastructure. The conversation covered a lot of ground, and what emerged was a picture of a sector that has come a long way but still has identifiable gaps between the experience providers intend and the one students have.

The data is there. The problem is what happens to it.

When a student applies to live in purpose-built student accommodation, they share a considerable amount of information, including their preferences, accessibility needs, communication history, lifestyle considerations, any support requirements they choose to disclose. By the time they move in, a provider often knows quite a lot about them.

The problem, as James Cocovski from resident management platform StarRez put it, is not usually a lack of care, but the lack of coherence.

“One team may hold information from the application process, another may be managing welfare and support conversations, while a third oversees communications, maintenance requests, and incident follow-ups,” Cocovski said. “The provider may have both the information and the intent to support the resident, but without a shared view across teams, they lack a clear picture of the resident’s overall journey.”

The consequence is that providers can miss early warning signs, for example, when a student who is disengaging, a pattern of welfare concerns that no single staff member has visibility across. The data already exists, but the challenge is getting it into a single, accessible view so staff can act on it proactively rather than reactively.

This matters particularly in the context of room allocation, which is one of the first and most consequential decisions a provider makes. If a student’s preferences, accessibility requirements, or lifestyle considerations are not surfaced to the right person at the right time, the allocation process defaults to managing beds rather than managing people. A bad allocation, whether mismatched roommates, unsuitable facilities, or unaddressed access needs, can shape a student’s entire year.

The data point Cocovski returned to most often was timing. “The providers who get this right really don’t wait till move-in day to understand the student,” he said. “They start building a picture from that application process.”

Safety is felt, not just installed.

Purpose-built student accommodation in Australia has invested heavily in physical security infrastructure over the past decade, from CCTV and access control to incident response procedures. These things matter, and Jenna White from after-hours support provider Constant was clear that they will always be necessary.

But White’s central argument was that infrastructure alone does not make students feel safe.

“Safety in accommodation isn’t experienced through infrastructure alone,” she said. “It’s really experienced through human encounters, particularly after hours.”

The after-hours period is, in her view, where the most significant gap exists in the sector. Daytime resident experience has improved with more deliberate attention to wellbeing, community-building and resident engagement. But the overnight period has often remained heavily operational and compliance-focused, staffed in ways that were not designed around the realities of student life.

“The moments that shape whether a student feels safe and supported usually happen after hours, not during the day,” White said. “It could be an interaction at 2am when they’re locked out, overwhelmed, distressed, simply needing help.”

The model White described, resident support officers (RSOs) rather than traditional security staff, is a response to that gap. RSOs are recruited for maturity and a background in support work, then trained in mental health first aid, disclosure protocols and the specific culture of each property they work in. The recruitment process is deliberately long, including multiple interview stages and a meeting with the client.

The goal is for the overnight person to feel like an extension of the daily operation rather than a separate entity with a different function and manner. “Properties that really do this best are the ones where after-hours support feels visible, calm and really approachable,” White said. “The people on site know the residents. Their posture is always We’re here to help. That alone changes the feel of a building.”

There is also a staff wellbeing dimension that often goes undiscussed. When RSOs handle the overnight period, day staff can finish at 5pm, go home, and return the next morning with a clear head. Resident advisers are not asked to take on welfare scenarios they are not equipped for. The separation of functions, done properly, benefits the whole team.

Wi-fi is infrastructure. Students treat it as a utility.

Eoin Ryan from network infrastructure and resident Wi-Fi provider SiLANTwas direct about where connectivity sits in the hierarchy of student needs. “For students, Wi-Fi is more important than water,” he said. “They can miss a shower for a few days. But if the Wi-Fi is not working, it’s a major issue.”

This is not simply about entertainment. Post-COVID, online study has become a permanent feature of higher education. Lectures are streamed, assessments are submitted digitally, and tutorials are held on video platforms. A poor connection can mean being dropped from live classes or losing access during an exam, as live feeds do not buffer like those on a service such as Netflix.

For international students, the stakes are compounded by expectation. Many arrive from countries where gigabit speeds and low latency are standard. What they find in Australian accommodation is often considerably less.

Ryan’s minimum benchmark is 100Mbps with latency around 10 milliseconds, but he was careful to distinguish between headline speed and actual experience. The location of access points matters as much as the connection capacity. Corridor-mounted access points, which remain common, force signals through bathrooms, kitchens and walls, substantially degrading performance by the time the signal reaches a student’s room. Room-mounted access points, or access points placed every second or third room, produce a far better outcome for a modest additional cost.

“If you’re going to spend an extra $50,000 or $60,000 on putting in your infrastructure, that’s only two or three bookings,” Ryan said. “If you lose one person, that could be $20,000 to your bottom line.”

The reputation dimension is real and immediate. Students share their experiences through WeChat, WhatsApp and other platforms that reach prospective residents in their home countries. Poor connectivity does not stay within the building's walls.

Ryan’s advice to providers sitting on ageing infrastructure was to start the conversation now. An assessment of what exists, what is upgradable, and what a realistic improvement path looks like over one to three years is a better position than waiting for complaints to accumulate. “The problem’s only going to get bigger,” he said.

The integration problem runs through all three areas.

One theme that connected all three discussions was the cost of building systems in silos. This applies to data, to security and to physical infrastructure.

In network design, Ryan described providers who commission separate vendors for CCTV, access control and resident Wi-Fi, none of whom are in the room together when the building is designed. The result is redundant cabling, incompatible systems and missed opportunities. A building where smart locks and cameras talk to each other can flag a suspicious key tap on one floor and immediately display the camera feed for that location. A building where those systems operate independently cannot.

In resident data, the same fragmentation produces the same result. Information that exists somewhere in the organisation but is not available to the person who needs it, when they need it.

What accreditation signals to the market.

The National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS), administered by SAA, covers all three of these areas and more. It provides a quality assurance framework specifically for purpose-built student accommodation, a mechanism for providers to demonstrate and for universities and government to verify that minimum standards are being met.

Professor Kent Anderson noted that awareness of NPAS is growing at the institutional level, which is where it carries the most leverage. Universities are increasingly expected to take responsibility for the quality of accommodation they recommend, including under the national code on gender-based violence, which extends compliance obligations back to universities even where accommodation is not university-managed. NPAS accreditation provides a shorthand that allows education providers and governments to assess whether a property meets those expectations.

Anderson also noted the reputational function accreditation serves. When a travel company recently came under public scrutiny in Australia, one of the first things commentators raised was that its professional accreditation had lapsed years earlier. The absence of accreditation, when something goes wrong, becomes significant.

The gap between intention and experience.

The accommodation sector in Australia has made real progress on student experience over the past decade. Expectations have risen from students, universities and government alike, and many providers have responded.

The practical steps are not complicated. Start building a full picture of residents from the application stage. Assess what is happening after hours and whether the model in place is fit for purpose. Have an honest conversation about connectivity on what exists, what it costs to improve and what the cost of not improving will be.

These are not radical propositions, but they do require providers to look honestly at the gap between the experience they intend and the one students are having.

SAA invites and encourages educational providers to share and promote the NPAS message with their students.

Congratulations to Adelaide University Village on achieving NPAS Accreditation!

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:02:42 +1000

Congratulations to Adelaide University Village on achieving NPAS Accreditation!

We welcome Adelaide University Village to the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS), recognising its commitment to providing a safe, inclusive and high-quality living environment for students in Adelaide.

Adelaide University Village is the largest university-managed student accommodation option in Adelaide's CBD, situated within the vibrant Chinatown and Adelaide Central Market precinct. As the University's flagship student accommodation, it offers comfortable facilities, daily social and sporting activities and easy access to nearby dining, shopping and entertainment. Residents benefit from a supportive environment designed to feel like a home away from home.

Ben Williams, Accommodation Operations Manager at Adelaide University, shared: "We decided to undertake the NPAS accreditation process as part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and delivering the best possible experience for our residents. It provided an opportunity to review our practices, strengthen our standards, and ensure we continue offering a safe, supportiveand high-quality living environment."

Congratulations to the Adelaide University Village team on this achievement and for joining the growing network of NPAS-accredited providers across Australia.

Congratulations to UniLodge Metro Adelaide on achieving NPAS Accreditation!

Wed, 20 May 2026 12:19:24 +1000

Congratulations to UniLodge Metro Adelaide on achieving NPAS Accreditation!

We welcome UniLodge Metro Adelaide to the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS), recognising its commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and high-quality living environment for students in Adelaide.

UniLodge Metro Adelaide offers boutique student accommodation in the heart of the city, with 300 student apartments across 14 levels. The property features quality finishes, advanced technology, environmentally conscious design, and strong attention to detail. Its central location places residents within easy reach of many of Adelaide’s key attractions, including Rundle Mall, the city’s well-known retail and shopping precinct.

Claire Liao, General Manager Portfolio, SA, shared: “NPAS Accreditation reflects the high standards of accommodation and the safe, supportive environment we create every day, giving students and their families confidence in 24-hour support and a strong sense of community.”

Congratulations to the UniLodge Metro Adelaide team on this achievement and for joining the growing network of NPAS-accredited providers across Australia.

Congratulations to UniLodge Park Avenue on achieving NPAS Accreditation!

Wed, 20 May 2026 12:09:24 +1000

Congratulations to UniLodge Park Avenue on achieving NPAS Accreditation!

We are delighted to welcome UniLodge Park Avenue to the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS), recognising its commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and high-quality living environment for students in Melbourne.

UniLodge Park Avenue offers 369 rooms across a range of accommodation options, including private studios, multi-share apartments and bedrooms in a co-living style. Located just metres from University of Melbourne and the Monash University Parkville campus, the property provides students with convenient access to leading education institutions. Excellent transport links at the doorstep, including the nearby Parkville railway station, part of the Metro Tunnel project, ensure residents stay well connected across the city.

Kanav Sharda, General Manager at UniLodge Park Avenue, shared: “I am proud to have UniLodge Park Avenue recognised under the National Property Accreditation Scheme by the Student Accommodation Association – an industry-led benchmark that reflects our commitment to safety, wellbeing, professional management and delivering a consistently high standard of student living experience.”

Congratulations to the UniLodge Park Avenue team on this achievement and for joining the growing network of NPAS-accredited providers across Australia!