APSAA Annual Report 2024

2024 APSAA ANNUAL REPORT

INCLUSION. EXCELLENCE. LEADERSHIP. INTEGRITY.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

President’s Report Tēnā koutou katoa, It is a pleasure to present the 2024 President’s Report for the Asia Pacific Student Accommodation Association (APSAA). This has been a year of real momentum, expanding our reach and strengthening our impact across the region and beyond.

Jacob Waitere, APSAA President

A major milestone was the delivery of the inaugural APSAA Asia Summit in Singapore. This event, alongside the introduction of our Developing Nations Membership category in 2023, marks a significant step in our expansion into Asia, creating new pathways for collaboration and sector leadership.

APSAA continued to build global connections, representing the sector at CUBO in the United Kingdom-Ireland and ACUHO-I in the United States, and maintaining a strong domestic presence at the NAUC Conference in Sydney and UCA Forum in Adelaide.

A highlight for the year was the launch of the Residential Experience Standard, providing the sector with a robust framework for operational excellence and student success. This was complemented by advocacy at the national level, with Immediate Past-President Marion Grey representing APSAA in the development of the Australian Government’s Gender-Based Violence Code and the Universities Accord reforms.

Professional development remains central to our mission.

The Global Housing Training Institute in Sydney and Student Accommodation Essentials in Perth delivered immersive learning opportunities for members across all career stages. Strong growth in our webinars and Speaker Series continues to make professional development more accessible across our membership.

We were proud to return to Aotearoa for the first time in 13 years to host the APSAA Annual Conference in Auckland, welcoming participants from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States.

The conference reaffirmed the strength, energy, and professionalism of our community.

Membership engagement expanded further this year with the launch of the Internationalisation Special Interest Group and the establishment of new regional groups, beginning with Victoria, following the success of regional engagement in New Zealand.

Our progress this year reflects the strategic priorities set for 2024–2025: strengthening advocacy, launching new engagement opportunities, supporting professional development, and enhancing governance. This would not have been possible without the dedication of our members, partners, committees, and home office team.

To my fellow board directors, thank you for your continued volunteerism and support, with special thanks to Simone Gallo (Vice-President), Marion Grey (Chair of Finance), and Melinda Dallas (Company Secretary).

We move into 2025 with renewed ambition, ready to build on this strong foundation and continue lifting the standards and impact of student accommodation across our region.

Ngā mihi nui,

Jacob Waitere President, Asia Pacific Student Accommodation Association (APSAA)

“Our progress this year reflects the strategic priorities set for 2024–2025: strengthening advocacy, launching new engagement opportunities, supporting professional development, and enhancing governance.”

2 www.apsaa.org.au

CONTENTS

VISION

From the President

2

To support and nurture excellence in the student accommodation profession.

Key Facts

4

Our Foundation for the Future

5

APSAA Board

6

APSAA Committees

6

APSAA Aotearoa Advisory Group Report

7

Student Accommodation Essentials

8

GHTI Committee Report

9

Communications and Engagement Committee Report

10

Professional Development Committee Report

11

Risk and Knowledge Committee Report

11

APSAA Journal - Student Accommodation

12

APSAA Awards of Excellence 2024

13

2024 APSAA Conference

14

APSAA Member Benefits

16

• Excellence – We deliver high quality relevant member experiences

Membership Types

17

• Leadership – We support our members in addressing issues that affect them

APSAA Life Members

18

• Integrity – We promote honest and open communication and engagement

Affiliations

18

MISSION APSAA is the premier industry body for the delivery of professional development, industry standards and the recognition of our members.

ABOUT APSAA APSAA is the peak industry body representing individuals, staff and providers of accommodation designed for students, providing a safe living and learning environment managed by professionals to support educational outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region.

Our large and diverse membership includes universities, private residential colleges, commercial providers and individuals.

There are more than 140,000 students living in Colleges, Halls and Residences across the Asia-Pacific which are either owned or affiliated with Universities or privately run. A large professional student accommodation workforce exists to support these students.

APSAA supports this workforce through its strategic plan, Our Foundation for the Future, 2023 – 2027, by upholding the APSAA core values: • Inclusion – We foster positive and respectful relationships

APSAA also advocates on relevant issues to government and key stakeholders on behalf of the industry.

APSAA Annual Report 2024 3

K E Y FACTS

Key Facts Membership growth in 2023-24:

APSAA member student beds

1,290

13%

134,940

professional members, across 7 countries

470+ professionals

30+ Volunteers Working to

1,390+

Participated in Continuing Professional Development

give back to the profession

hours spent by volunteers giving back to the association

100+

hours of Continuing Professional Development and training institutes

Events held in

8 Cities

across 3 Countries plus virtually

May 2024 – May 2025 Projects to further the strategic plan

Deliverables / Outcome /Comment:

Connection to Strategic plan:

Accreditation and Standards

In partnership with Investor in Students, APSAA successfully launched the Residential Experience Standard with 6 foundation members. This has grown with 2 more having signed up for 2025, and more interested.

• Advocating the advancement of and promoting the value of student accommodation • Providing members with access to guidelines, resources and information

Representation on University Accord and Gender based violence code

APSAA was a strong presence in the Australian Federal Government working groups on the Gender based violence code.

• Advocating the advancement of and promoting the value of student accommodation

Review of communications and marketing

APSAA has launched a working group to review the website. Brand refresh is also being reviewed.

• Providing members with access to guidelines, resources, and information • Ensuring sustainable governance, growth, and management of the association

Refresh of CPD opportunities

Following on from member feedback, APSAA will be delivering new workshops at the 2025 APSAA Conference.

• Providing industry specific targeted professional development

Launch special interest groups

APSAA board has approved a new Special Interest group focused on Internationalisation, this will be a subgroup of the Research and Knowledge Committee.

A Mental Health Community of Practice was trialled within the Professional Development Committee.

• Providing a collegial network of student accommodation professionals • Providing industry specific targeted professional development

Review of Governance structure and reporting

APSAA board has reviewed the constitution and governance of the board. A new Presidents’ report is provided to Board Directors at meetings, and new board composition proposal is being taken to the next AGM.

• Ensuring sustainable governance, growth, and management of the association

Focus the research and knowledge committee on delivering tangible resources for members

The Research and Knowledge committee have prepared the first draft of the new Industry Guidelines.

• Providing industry specific targeted professional development • Providing members with access to guidelines, resources, and information

Review regional networking activities

APSAA has established a new Victorian Regional Group. The • Providing industry specific targeted Framework has been approved by the Board for regional professional development groups to be established in Western Australia, Lower • Providing a collegial network of student Queensland, New South Wales and ACT and South Australia. accommodation professionals

4 www.apsaa.org.au

S T R AT E G I C P L A N

Our Foundation for the Future 2023-2027 The APSAA Board launched the Strategic Plan 2023-27 alongside the APSAA values as announced at the APSAA conference in Sydney, September 2022.

Based on the APSAA values: Inclusion, Excellence, Leadership and Integrity, APSAA achieves its mission by these Pillars:

The core purpose of APSAA is to:

1. Providing industry specific targeted professional development

• Advocate for the sustainable economic and pedagogical benefits of student accommodation

2. Providing a collegial network of student accommodation professionals

• Be the leading professional organisation providing our members access to information and resources

3. Advocating the advancement of and promoting the value of student accommodation

• Be the leading association providing professional development to our members. Our Institution and Corporate membership covers all staff working in student accommodation across three areas: Management, Operations and Finance; Student Experience & Wellbeing; Facilities and Development.

4. Providing members with access to guidelines, resources and information 5. Ensuring sustainable governance, growth and management of the association

• Support and facilitate quality standards of service delivery in student accommodation

Read the full document here

OUR FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE 2023-2027

APSAA Annual Report 2024 5

APSAA BOARD

APSAA Board Board members have a broad range of skills and expertise and provide their time and knowledge to APSAA on a voluntary basis. It is the intent of APSAA that the Board comprise of minimum of two representatives from each sector – University, College, and Corporate, as well as representation from each Australian State and Territory, New Zealand, and other countries within the membership. All Board members are proactive in initiating new activities and identifying new strategic opportunities for the benefit of APSAA members.

President Jacob Waitere, UniLodge NZ, Canterbury, NZ

Vice President Simone Gallo, Australian Catholic University, NSW

Marion Grey, Deakin Residential Services, VIC

Daniel Elvin, University of Tasmania, TAS

Sue Fergusson, Scape Australia, QLD

Andrea Rohde, Flinders University, SA

Kathy-Mae Tondut, Campus Living Villages, WA

Sonia Mazey, Arcady Hall, NZ

Mark Potgieter, University of Wollongong, NSW

Gemma Edgar, University of Newcastle, NSW

2024 APSAA Committees Aotearoa Advisory Group Tara Baker (Chair) Abigail Frederikse (Vice Chair) Melissa Leaupepe Sonia Mazey Brooke Petre Martin Thomas TJ Cloete Belinda Hawley Crystal Henwood Communications & Engagement Committee Simone Gallo (Chair) Sam Johnstone (Vice Chair) Rachel Close Daniel Elvin Rachael Gibson 6 www.apsaa.org.au

Elizabeth Koni Carolyn Mee Sarah Morrison Jess Rokobaro Nida Tahreem Kathy-Mae Tondut Conference Committee Sue Fergusson (Chair) Marion Grey Jacob Waitere Helen Hollins Jared Dyson Finance & Risk Committee Richard Grey (Chair) Jacob Waitere Mark Potgieter Sue Ferguson

Professional Development Committee

Research & Knowledge Committee

Training & Institutions Committee

Gemma Edgar (Chair) Carolyn Mee (Vice Chair) Andrea Rohde Wendy Fleming Abigail Frederikse Hayden Glass Belinda Hawley James Hawley Jodie Hazell Shana Kerlander Jordan Knight Rachel Overton Victoria Thornton Kathy-Mae Tondut

Mark Potgieter (Chair) Dr Tamara Agnew (Vice Chair) Daniel Elvin James Hawley Sonia Mazey Vinay Varghese Eshan Sachin Arya Becky Earl Stephanie Harris Montefiore Nathan Greg Scott

SAE 2024 Gemma Edgar Kathy-Mae Tondut Hayden Glass Global Housing Training Institute (GHTI) 2024 Faculty Marion Grey (Co-chair) Pam Schreiber (Co-chair) Simone Gallo Don Yackley Jacob Waitere (Guest Faculty) Company Secretary Melinda Caspersz, Association Professionals

AAG REPORT

APSAA Aotearoa Advisory Group Report Te Purongo a te Komiti

Key highlights from 2024 include:

Hosting the 2024 APSAA Conference was undoubtedly the highlight of our year. It was a true privilege to welcome so many colleagues to Aotearoa, where they joined our Kiwi members in Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland for APSAA’s flagship event. It was particularly meaningful for us to be able to showcase the unique character of New Zealand and the richness of Māori and Pacific cultures that shape our local communities.

• Andrea Schoorl receiving the Fred Johnson Award for Service to Application processes.

Following the success of the conference, we’ve begun planning for our next major event, the New Zealand Summit, set to take place in the mighty Waikato in November 2025. Members were recently surveyed to identify key themes for us to focus the day on, and we will be on the lookout for some thoughtprovoking presentations in the coming months.

Despite the ongoing financial uncertainty challenging the NZ tertiary sector, 2024 saw a marked increase in student accommodation applications nationwide, reflecting a strong return to pre-COVID demand. Institutions across Aotearoa have responded by prioritising both new developments and retrofit projects, ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with student needs. Some very exciting student Accommodation facilities in the pipeline!

• Greg Scott awarded the ACUHO-I New Professional Award – New Zealand • The University of Auckland recognised for Excellence in Student Experience, Facility Development, and Marketing & Communications • A strong turnout of 50 New Zealand members at the APSAA Conference in Auckland • Seeing more of our members take up opportunities to contribute to the Journal & participate in APSAA committees

Tara Baker Tiamana | AAG Committee Chair

A big thank you to outgoing committee members Brooke Petre and Max Sims for all their mahi and time on the AAG. We’re also delighted to warmly welcome Crystal Henwood, Belinda Hawley, and TJ Clote who join continuing members Martin Thomas, Sonia Mazey, and Abigail Frederikse. Their combined experience and enthusiasm will no doubt continue to strengthen our work moving forward supporting our NZ members.

Greg Scott receiving his Award for ACUHO-I New Professional – New Zealand

Andrea Schoorl and Greg Scott pictured with their Awards with Jacob Waitere and Simone Gallo

Photo Booth fun!

APSAA Annual Report 2024 7

APSAA COMMITTEES

Student Accommodation Essentials 2024: A Valuable Learning Experience for New Professionals From November 11–13, 2024, Perth hosted the APSAA Student Accommodation Essentials (SAE) program, bringing together 20 delegates from 9 institutions across Australia for an intensive professional development experience. Held at Curtin University, this program provided new professionals in student accommodation with key industry insights, formal training, and networking opportunities.

Hayden Glass, Deputy Principal, University Hall, APSAA Professional Development Committee Member

The SAE program covers a range of essential topics, including: • Student Experience & Wellbeing • Facilities & Maintenance Management • Incident Management & Risk Mitigation • Human Resources & Finance Participants also engage in interactive workshops, where in Perth delegates toured UWA’s student accommodation facilities, as well as Switch Living, Perth CBD.

SAE dinner at St Catherine’s College.

A highlight of SAE 2024 was the delegate dinner, wonderfully hosted at St Catherine’s College, Curtin, and attended by Study Perth representative Andrew Oldfield, reinforcing the sector’s collaborative approach to student support. Dinner guests also enjoyed an engaging panel discussion with some exemplary student leaders and staff from college residences.

A huge thank you to Study Perth for their sponsorship, and to my fellow facilitators Gemma Edgar and Kathy-Mae Tondut who made this event a success.

Looking ahead the SAE program will continue to demonstrate the power of professional development in shaping the next generation of student accommodation leaders and we look forward to running the SAE Program again in 2025.

SAE session, Curtin University

SAE Study tour – Delegates with Hayden Glass.

SAE Faculty & Delegates 2024

8 www.apsaa.org.au

APSAA COMMITTEES

2024 Global Housing Training Institute The 2024 Global Housing Training Institute (GHTI) was held at Dunmore Lang College December 1 through to 5. In collaboration with the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I), APSAA hosted this interactive learning opportunity for student housing professionals from a wide variety of universities and PBSAs. Sixteen participants worked as a cohort and in small groups with four experienced student housing professionals as the facilitators – two from U.S. universities and two from Australian universities – during this intensive four-day program.

The curriculum was developed over the course of several months by the facilitators and guided by APSAA president Jacob Waitere. Selected topics combined practical operations with philosophy and leadership development, giving participants opportunities to find value regardless of their level of experience. The Institute format ensured that all participants were actively engaged by utilising individual reflection exercises, small group problem-solving, and large group discussion. This approach allowed all to learn

not only from the facilitators but from each other as well. Throughout the program, opportunities to compare programs, policies, and practices led to discovery, questioning, and a few “ah ha” moments!

In addition, the unique structure of GHTI creates connections among the participants, assisting them in building a strong network of colleagues and developing an affinity for APSAA. For some, the Institute provided first time exposure to the benefits of the Association and the wealth of knowledge and support that is available.

Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive; more specifically, the opportunity to learn in an interactive environment and connect with other student housing professionals was highlighted.

Pam Schreiber, GHTI Faculty Co-chair

As the world of student housing evolves, especially regarding the needs and expectations of students and the colleges and universities they attend, ongoing learning and networking is a necessity for those who work in the field. GHTI provides one such opportunity in a unique and effective way.

Pam Schreiber presenting

GHTI delegates in session

APSAA Annual Report 2024 9

APSAA COMMITTEES

Communications and Engagement Committee Report

Simone Gallo APSAA Board Member, Communications and Engagement Committee Chair

Update summary:

Ongoing Communication Channels:

The Communications and Engagement Committee (CAE) has continued to support APSAA’s strategic goals through intentional engagement, refreshed communications templates, and expanding reach across our key channels. This report highlights the Committee’s progress over the past year, key achievements, and ongoing priorities aligned with the 2023–2027 APSAA Strategic Plan.

Journal The Student Accommodation Journal continues to be a cornerstone of APSAA’s communication strategy. A review of printing formats and circulation levels to ensure value and sustainability has occurred with the outcome being a refreshed look and feel for the Journal. Member feedback of the new glossy version is positive, and the journal remains a valued platform to showcase sector insights, leadership and the achievements of members.

The Committee has focused on amplifying member voice and visibility, refining our communications collateral, and laying the groundwork for longer-term campaigns that will enhance APSAA’s brand, reach, and value proposition.

Key Initiatives and Progress: A social media working group has been established to drive campaign development and content creation to support the Association Manager. We are currently reviewing platform trends and audience behaviours, with an aim to trial more engaging and conversational content, especially for Instagram and Facebook. This includes positioning APSAA to share perspectives on important topics such as Residential Education Standards (RES) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) legislation. Engagement metrics and follower growth will guide our evolving strategy.

A comparative review of sector websites has informed proposed changes to APSAA’s platform structure and resource labelling. These changes aim to improve user navigation and reflect APSAA’s evolving strategic identity. Recommendations will be presented to the Board post conference this year.

Additionally, we have established a foundational list of relevant media outlets across Australia and New Zealand.

A refreshed media release template has been developed, and we are on track to begin distributing timely press releases quarterly. These will position APSAA as a proactive and informed voice on sector developments, particularly around student safety and housing policy.

Make sure you are following APSAA on our socials

10 www.apsaa.org.au

apsaa

E-Newsletters Our E-Newsletter continues to grow in reach and engagement. As we refine formatting and content mix, we are keeping member needs at the forefront, especially around access to professional development and sector updates. Interest piqued in December last year where we had over four and a half thousand clicks of this edition where our usual clicks is on average six hundred.

Social Media Social media engagement continues to rise, particularly on LinkedIn, where we’ve seen the highest interaction rates.

We are mindful of maintaining our presence on all major platforms to ensure broad reach, particularly to members and stakeholders not active on LinkedIn. We can count on nearly 2,000 views per month across these channels.

December gave us our highest rate of impressions on LinkedIn with over 7,200, when the average throughout the year is approximately 4,300 impressions per month.

Reflections and Acknowledgements: This year has seen a re-energising of our committee’s direction, with a renewed focus on strategic alignment and content quality. The efforts of our dedicated committee members, alongside the invaluable support from Sam Johnstone and our Association Manager, Sarah, have positioned us well to deliver on APSAA’s vision for growth and engagement.

As we move through 2025, our priority will be to measure the impact of this year’s initiatives and continue embedding best practice communications across all APSAA activities.

APSAAOffice

@apsaa_apsaa

APSAA COMMITTEES

Professional Development Committee Report The Professional Development Committee is pleased to report a successful year, marked by the continued delivery of a highly engaging professional development program. Through our speaker series we have delivered four webinars over the last 12 months which have aligned with providing a diverse range of topics to encourage engagement and connection to all members.

We have also ensured that networking events have been hosted within NSW, ACT, WA, SA, QLD and VIC. Throughout these events we have sustained a high level of participation and provided valuable learning and connection opportunities for our members. Ensuring that members are kept up to date with latest trends, movements and innovation within the industry.

In direct response to consultation with our membership, and recognising the desire for deeper peer-to-peer engagement, the Committee introduced a new initiative: Communities of Practice. This initiative was designed to create a collaborative space where colleagues can share experiences, discuss challenges, and learn from one another.

Our inaugural Communities of Practice session was conducted online, with a focus on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students. The response to this event was overwhelmingly positive, with strong attendance and engagement demonstrating the importance of this topic to our community.

Looking ahead, the Committee is committed to building on this momentum by expanding the Communities of Practice program to encompass a broader range of subjects and areas of professional interest. We anticipate rolling out additional topics towards the end of the year, in alignment with the needs and interests of our members.

The Committee extends its sincere thanks to all members for their participation, feedback, and ongoing support. We remain dedicated to fostering an environment of continuous professional development and collaboration across our community.

Gemma Edgar, General Manager, Student Living Infrastructure and Facilities Services, Resources Division

Risk and Knowledge Committee Over the past 12 months, the Research and Knowledge Committee has concentrated its efforts on the development of a revised and future focused set of APSAA Industry Guidelines, a project that represents one of the most significant knowledge contributions to our sector in recent years. Our work has been shaped by a firm commitment to ensuring these guidelines reflect contemporary practice, emerging trends, and the evolving expectations of students, institutions, and accommodation providers across Australasia.

The committee has taken a collaborative and research informed approach throughout this process. We reviewed international best practice guidelines from aligned bodies such as ACUHO-I, CUBO, and our New Zealand counterparts, and considered policy shifts in pastoral care, compliance requirements, and operational innovations from across our membership.

We are now entering the final stage of development and refinement, with plans to launch the new guidelines soon – watch this space! The next phase will involve the final

pieces of information and research being incorporated into the document. Once the committee has reviewed and agreed on the final draft, it will be submitted to the APSAA Board for deliberation and review. The next steps following the Board’s decision will be communicated to members in due course. We remain confident that the final product will serve as a benchmark for the sector and a valuable tool to guide providers in delivering high-quality, student-centred accommodation services.

As we approach the completion of this foundational work, I want to thank the members of the Research and Knowledge Committee for their dedication, insight, and collaboration throughout the year. Their contributions have been instrumental in shaping a resource that we believe will strengthen the entire sector.

Mark Potgieter, Chair, Research and Knowledge Committee

We look forward to presenting the final Guidelines to the membership and continuing our role in promoting research, knowledge sharing, and sector advancement in the year ahead.

APSAA Annual Report 2024 11

APSAA JOURNAL

APSAA Journal Student Accommodation In its eighth year in 2024, Student Accommodation is the official journal of APSAA. It is the professional journal for the student accommodation industry in Australia, New Zealand, and the wider Asia Pacific region.

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION March 2025 Volume 9 Issue 1

In 2024, APSAA began developing a fresh new look for the journal—a design update that will carry through into upcoming editions. A new glossy cover and refined layouts, a reflection of APSAA’s commitment to keeping the Journal dynamic, relevant, and in step with the ever-evolving student accommodation sector.

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF APSAA

The journal is produced quarterly and features news, insights, and resources relevant to members working in all areas of the sector. The journal is created collaboratively by APSAA’s Communications and Engagement Committee.

We encourage contributions from members – opinion pieces, research articles, industry updates, team and member profiles, resources, photos, and news of planned and upcoming developments.

12 www.apsaa.org.au

Highlighting our people, charting our future PP324494/0062

We offer a range of advertising opportunities for our journal, and welcome enquiries from organisations and suppliers relevant to the Student Accommodation Industry.

APSAA AWARDS

APSAA Awards of Excellence 2024 Each year, APSAA offers a range of scholarships and awards that recognise outstanding performance and innovative ideas from our members. These awards were presented at our annual APSAA Conference, held in Auckland, New Zealand.

APSAA

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2024

• Fran O’Brien Award for New Professionals Monique Watts, Australian Catholic University • ACUHO-I New Professional Award – Australia Dr Tamara Agnew, St Ann’s College • ACUHO-I New Professional Award – New Zealand Greg Scott, University of Canterbury • Fred Johnson Award for Best Practice/Professional Achievement in Aotearoa Andrea Schoorl, University of Canberra • The Student Accommodation Journal Writers Award Elizabeth Koni, St Margaret’s College • Joe Massingham Award and Life Member Marion Grey, Deakin Residential Services • My Favorite Student Best of Program Award Jordan Knight, Grace College

A group photo of University of Auckland, recipients of three APSAA Excellence Awards

APSAA Excellence Awards • Excellence in Customer Service University of Southern Queensland • Excellence in Facility Development or Management University of Auckland • Excellence in Marketing and Communications University of Auckland • Excellence in Student Experience University of Auckland • Excellence in Sustainable Development Goals – Corporate Scape Australia • Excellence in Sustainable Development Goals – College Mannix College

A group photo of APSAA Award recipients with their trophies

APSAA Annual Report 2024 13

APSAA CONFERENCE

2024 APSAA Conference

Ashleigh Milne, Engagement Coordinator, Student Living, The University of Newcastle.

As the students of the O’Rorke Hall Pasifika Community stepped onto the exhibition floor, the indistinct chatter of the room dissolved into reverent silence. Then, their voices rose—resonant and unified—filling the space with a profound sense of connection. Through the powerful cadence of traditional Māori song and dance, the arms of the performers reached out and pulled everyone in, drawing each of us into their embrace.

It was a stirring and symbolic opening to the 2024 APSAA Conference, the first of many performances that would captivate and inspire. Its presence was not only memorable but deeply aligned with the conference’s theme: Whiria te Tangata – Weaving People Together.

Over the course of three jam-packed days, attendees were given the opportunity to connect (and reconnect) with industry counterparts, uncover new ideas and best practices, collaborate on the issues we all face and gain inspiration from keynote presentations, and of course, celebrate the achievements of those in our industry.

If there was one subject that echoed through the conference, it was ‘the code’. We are all aware that student accommodation is changing, we have already seen that in New Zealand and soon Australia too will have legislation to adhere to. Student accommodation will need to regulate cultural changes which are measurable and provide evidence on how we’re making these changes when it comes to gender based violence.

At the core of concurrent sessions was the need to engage with residents in innovative ways and put student experience at the forefront.

This was in everything from the ways our living environments are designed and built to bring people together, to how we welcome and interact with residents from a myriad of backgrounds and circumstances. It’s in the events we host for students and the home we create for them, because as Jemaima Tiatai-Siau said, “if we don’t make them feel at home, who will?”

The 2024 keynote speaker lineup was incredible, and with the spread of presenters and topics, participants were able to make choices about what was most relevant to them. The most popular presentations based on participant feedback were from: • Jordan Knight: Thinking differently: Embracing Neurodiversity within our Residences • Sixtine Berquist: Beyond the Bedroom: How to market your accommodation offering • Andrea Rohde & Sally Cassidy: Navigating Complex Mental Health Challenges in Residential Accommodation • Lorna Ali: Exploring innovative approaches to address conduct issues and community concerns in a holistic manner • Greg Scott, Jacob Waitere & Abigail Frederikse: Re-imagining the future residential student leader role.

A big thank you to all the 2024 speakers for making the 2024 Conference a wonderful learning experience for participants: Dr Michelle Dickinson – Keynote speaker Sam Johnson – Keynote speaker Miraka Davies – Keynote speaker Renee Hamilton – National Higher Education Code GBV Greg Scott, University of Canterbury Lauren Ryznar, University of NSW Isabel Fox, Fearless Fox Ben Apted, SPP Joseph Joven, Nettleton Tribe Martin Thomas, Student Residence Trust Aotearoa Robert Freeth, Graduate House – ANU Emily Sutton, Dunmore Lang College Dr Tamara Agnew, St Ann’s College Briana Ellis, Janet Clarke Hall Cam Bestwick, University of Melbourne Alasdair Murrie-West, Dunmore Lang College Belinda Thomas, The Leadership Lift Gay Perez Grant Smith, StarRez Rodney Arnold, University of Waikato Joseph Roberson/Ali Alsalah – StarRez Marion Grey – Deakin Residential Services Tara Baker, University of Auckland

O’Rorke Hall Pasifka Community welcome lead performer.

14 www.apsaa.org.au

Brett Woods, Victoria University

APSAA CONFERENCE

Participants engaging and enjoying the learning experience

Jordan Knight with Simone Gallo receiving the My Favorite Student Best of Program Award

O’Rorke Hall Pasifka Community Gala Dinner Performance

Greg Scott engaging with participants

Jacob Waitere engaging with participants

Award winer – Uni of Auckland

Always a highlight, the Gala Awards was the pinnacle of the conference. Again, we were welcomed with traditional song and dance and moved by the performances of

by Grafton Hall Tauira Māori Community.

Recipients of an APSAA Award receive national and international peer recognition, official acknowledgement (in the form of trophy or certificate), publication of their details in APSAA’s Student Accommodation Journal, E-News bulletin and APSAA webpage and public acknowledgement at the annual APSAA Conference.

The annual APSAA conference is always a wonderful way to connect, learn and grow within our industry. There is something special about coming together with a shared purpose.

Andrea Schoorl and Greg Scott pictured with their APSAA Awards, along with Simone Gallo and Jacob Waitere

Prior to the Conference was the One Day Study Tour. Rich in learning about what others are doing within our sector, but also a time of shared experiences, information and knowledge sharing, along with creating bonds and memories for all who took part.

Carlaw Park Courtyard

Auckland Study Tour Group Picture

Auckland Study Tour

APSAA Annual Report 2024 15

MEMBER BENEFITS

Member Benefits Working in the student accommodation industry is a unique and rewarding experience.

Industry professionals typically specialise in a wide range of areas that include leadership, business management, residential life, administration, event management and counselling.

The importance of the role and the contribution that student accommodation professionals make to a student’s life and their overall university experience can never be underestimated. Many students will remember their days at “college,” as some of their most cherished, ever!

APSAA recognises the broad skill set that student accommodation professionals need and the importance of industry support.

Through our regular networking events, professional development opportunities and services and affiliations with other Australian and International professional associations, APSAA can provide members with a valuable range of benefits not available anywhere else in the Asia-Pacific region.

A major benefit of being an APSAA member is the opportunity to come together and meet with other members employed in the student accommodation industry at various conferences, workshops and other forums.

Members attending these events share ideas and discuss the latest industry developments and innovations. Many of our members return to our annual conferences and events each year which has resulted in a valuable culture of camaraderie amongst APSAA members. The networks formed are lasting and there are opportunities to meet major equipment and service suppliers and to broaden your knowledge of the whole accommodation industry.

Members obtain access through both individual and group/ network development activities and access to a wide network of industry experts that can assist with industry guidelines and any issues on which they may need advice.

Benefits of APSAA Membership include:

Communication: • Student Accommodation Journal – the official quarterly journal of the student accommodation industry - available as an e-book for all members as well as hard copies posted to Institutions.

• Monthly e-newsletter – with latest news and events relevant to the student accommodation industry – emailed to all members.

• Social Media - APSAA is active on 3 social platforms with emphasis on LinkedIn, providing direct updates on events, opportunities and news.

• Regional updates – APSAA provides regional updates specifically for our Aotearoa | NZ and Asia region members.

16 www.apsaa.org.au

APSAA Events: • Annual Conference – to be held in Auckland in August 2024, Institution and Corporate membership includes one FREE registration to this event.

• Global Housing Training Institute (GHTI) – offering exceptional professional development for advancing professionals. Discounted registration for members.

• APSAA Student Accommodation Essentials – targeted at new professionals in the industry, who wish to gain a broader understanding of the industry. Discounted registration for members.

Continuing Professional Development – resources, opportunities and recognition: • APSAA Streaming – recordings of over 55 hours of educational content – from past webinars and online symposiums – offering valuable industry knowledge across a range of topics – available FREE to all members.

• APSAA Resources – include best-practice Industry Guidelines and an online resource centre including past conference papers.

• Webinars, the new ‘Speaker Series’ is held quarterly, live and online, with subject matter experts delivering thought provoking presentations, available FREE to members.

• Networking opportunities with industry professionals across all Australian states and regional areas and in New Zealand and Asia.

• CPD Program designed to acknowledge and recognise the contribution and involvement of members in activities and programs across the broad spectrum of work within the student accommodation industry.

• Awards and Recognition – APSAA awards and scholarships are presented annually. They provide international travel opportunities and recognition of new professionals to the industry.

APSAA Jobs Board Access to job listing opportunities and the ability to post job listings.

Committee involvement APSAA invites members to contribute to its success – members can get involved by joining a committee –Professional Development, Communications & Engagement, Research & Knowledge, Aotearoa Advisory Group, Conference Committee.

Connection to National and International Organisations APSAA maintains an affiliation agreement with ACUHO-I and maintains affiliation agreements with multiple organisations relevant to student accommodation including CUBO, ISANA and Universities New Zealand.

MEMBERSHIP TYPES

Membership Types Voting membership types

Non-Voting Membership types

Institution Membership Any tertiary education institution in Australia, New Zealand or South East Asia that provides Student Accommodation facilities may apply to become an Institution Member. Membership includes one complimentary* conference registration, for the following year’s conference. Institution membership provides membership for all staff working within student housing in the Institution.

Institution Membership - Developing Nations Introduced in 2023 for Student Accommodation providers in developing nations within the Asia Pacific region. Developing Nation is as defined by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.

This membership category provides membership for all staff working in Student Accommodation at the Institution, and all staff receive access to APSAA events at members prices, access to member pages of APSAA website, as well as access to digital version of the Student Accommodation Journal. Membership is for the calendar year.

Corporate Membership Any organisation that is a Student Accommodation provider with multiple facilities across Australia, New Zealand or South East Asia and does not have affiliation to any one tertiary education institution, may apply to become a Corporate Member. Membership includes one complimentary* conference registration, for every 3,000 beds, for the following year’s conference. Corporate membership provides membership for all staff working within student accommodation in the Corporate’s operations.

Individual Membership Any individual working in the field of Student Accommodation who does not already receive benefits via an Institution or Corporate membership may apply to become an Individual Member.

Where an individual is working at an Institution or Corporate in student accommodation, they may apply for individual membership for a maximum of 1 year during a 5-year period.

Industry Affiliate (Individual) Any individual with no commercial interest in the Student Accommodation industry, nor an employee of an organisation with a commercial interest in the Student Accommodation industry.

Industry Affiliate (Individual) members receive member rates to APSAA events, receive e-newsletters, and a copy of our quarterly journal – Student Accommodation.

Industry Affiliate (Corporate) An organisation with a commercial interest in the Student Accommodation industry. Industry Affiliate (Corporate) members receive member rates to APSAA events, receive e-newsletters, and up to five (5) copies of our quarterly journal – Student Accommodation. * Conference attendee to be nominated prior to early-bird registration; Institution/Corporate member must have paid full year membership fee

APSAA 2024 GHTI – Sydney

APSAA 2024 Student Accommodation Essentials

APSAA 2024 Conference Auckland Study Tour

APSAA Annual Report 2024 17

LIFE MEMBERS

APSAA Life Members Life membership may be awarded to members who have given outstanding service to the Association.

The following members have been recognised with this honour: 2000

Joe Massingham, Wright College

2011

Gary McLaughlin, Flinders University

2015

Colin Marshall, Federation University

2015

Simon Scott, University of Queensland

2015

Sean Brito-Babapulle, Mannix College

2016

David Holmes

2016

Edwina Ellicott, University of Wollongong

2016

Cate Macnamara

2019

Vincent Wilson, Deakin Residential Services

2024

Marion Grey, Deakin Residential Services

A F F I L I AT I O N S

Affiliations

Phone: +61 3 9586 6055 Email: admin@apsaa.org.au apsaa.org.au