Australia: The rising demand for student accommodation

Australia :- In the dynamic landscape of Australia’s real estate, the Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector is taking centre stage in 2023, grappling with a burgeoning demand-supply conundrum. A recent report by CBRE, titled “Accommodating the growth in students,” serves as a compass, unveiling a fascinating trajectory for the PBSA sector.

Australia: PBSA Investment Opportunities Take Center Stage

According to the CBRE report, an estimated 8,000 PBSA rooms are set to be introduced across the nation from 2023 to 2026. This represents a 7% increase, a figure that, although noteworthy, pales in comparison to the rapid recovery in international student enrollments. As of April 2023, these enrollments stand a mere 6% shy of the pre-pandemic zenith, indicating a robust resurgence.

City Spotlight: Melbourne and Sydney in Focus

Melbourne, accounting for 36% of Australia’s national PBSA stock, aligns seamlessly with its substantial share of university students, especially those from overseas.

Not far behind, Sydney is anticipated to contribute nearly half of the new room supply through 2026. This includes significant developments such as the University of NSW’s partnership with Iglu for 1,066 apartments and Wee Hur’s 411 beds catering to the University of Sydney and UTS.

Resilient PBSA Sector Defies Financing Costs

Despite rising financing costs, the PBSA sector has showcased remarkable resilience. Globally, rent growth and robust occupancy have cushioned PBSA yields, with the US and UK experiencing approximately a 30 basis points expansion from mid-2022 lows.

In Australia, capitalization rates are expected to exceed those of comparable build-to-rent products by 50-75 basis points as transaction activity begins to burgeon.

Maturing Investment Landscape with Strong Fundamentals

The investment landscape in Australia’s PBSA sector is still maturing, with operational assets being tightly held. However, the market’s strong fundamentals, underscored by significant rental growth—PBSA studios have seen high teen rental growth over the past five years—signal a robust investment opportunity.

PBSA as a Counter-Cyclical Investment and Inflation Hedge

The sector’s counter-cyclical nature positions it as a high-performing asset class, even as other property classes experience slowdowns. PBSA assets are increasingly viewed as a hedge against inflation, with education and housing prioritized expenditures even as living costs soar.

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