Student Accommodation Council: Fair Taxes for International Students

As per the PBSA Australia news, the Student Accommodation Council has expressed its support for the Australian Universities Accord final report, emphasising the significance of purpose-built student accommodation in housing students across Australia. The report recommends that universities develop strategies for accommodating international students to ease pressure on the private rental market.

Torie Brown, the Executive Director of the Student Accommodation Council, highlighted that purpose-built student accommodation Australia is essential for providing specialised housing for students and is a growing asset in the Australian property sector. 

Brown stated, “The most efficient way to increase much-needed student housing is through direct partnerships between universities and PBSA Australia providers.”

She emphasised the critical role of PBSA Australia in offering safe, high-quality housing for students, which helps alleviate pressure on the general rental market by accommodating nearly 80,000 students annually. 

“We were encouraged to see the Accord acknowledge the significant role of purpose-built student accommodation Australia in the market, and we are eager to collaborate with the Government to enhance the supply pipeline,” Brown further added.

However, the Student Accommodation Council cautioned universities against fully passing on the proposed tax to international students. Brown explained, “Any tax on university revenue ultimately impacts international students, who are major contributors to the higher education sector.”

“International students already incur substantial costs, with expenditures exceeding $30,000 annually for studying at a leading Australian university,” Brown highlighted. “We urge universities not to burden international students with this tax, as it may prompt them to explore more affordable study destinations.”

“In a 2022 report, we found that students residing in purpose-built student accommodation Australia spend an average of $4,800 per month in Melbourne and $4,680 in Sydney on dining, entertainment, and shopping. The economic contribution of these students to our central business districts is significant, and losing them to competing jurisdictions such as Canada and the US would be detrimental.”

“Australia is already a high-cost destination for international students. Passing these taxes through university fees could erode our competitive advantage in the global market,” Brown concluded.

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