SAJ December 2019

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

December 2019 Volume 3 Issue 4

PP324494/0062

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF APSAA

GHTI: THE SK Y IS THE LIMIT FOR INDUS TR Y PROGR A M

Connect.

Learn.

Share.

Think.

Global 2020 July 12-14 San Diego, California

StarRez Connect APAC September 2020 – Date TBA

CONTENTS

Contents 16

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From APSAA From the Editor Industry Movements New Zealand update APSAA NATIONAL OFFICE PO Box 7345 Beaumaris VIC 3193 T: 03 9586 6055 F: 03 9586 6099 E: admin@apsaa.org.au EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Honi McNaughton (Editor) Areti Metuamate ADVERTISING Honi McNaughton T: +61 3 9586 6055 E: idm@apsaa.org.au DESIGNER Perry Watson Design DISCLAIMER This journal is copyright and all rights are reserved. Apart from any use as permitted under the copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission.

All reasonable efforts have been made to obtain permission to use copyright material reproduced.

Every effort has been made to obtain accurate information for this publication.

The views expressed in this journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of APSAA.

Asia update: Singapore Professional Development Committee Update Industry Advancement Committee Update A Day in My Team

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INDUSTRY ISSUES NSW Residential Tenancies Act

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Residential Tenancies Act: Changes in Victoria

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Feature Industry Issue: False Fire Alarm charges

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FACILITIES & BUILDING DEVELOPMENT UniLodge Park Central sets student accommodation standard in Brisbane

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STUDENT EXPERIENCE & WELLBEING

FEATURES

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Market Update– Savills

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ResFlix – A Phoney Film Festival

APSAA Learning: 100 CPD points reached = Practising Professional

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MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS & FINANCE

GHTI: Inspirational, Transformational, Aspirational

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Introductions to KPIs: How to measure your PBSA team

APSAA Awards: Changes reflect industry diversity International Education

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ADVERTORIALS Star Rez and Deakin University – The Best Possible Student Experience

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MOVE-IN: “The Boulevard”

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Confidence Hackers: Student Mental Health Program with a difference

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enrich360 Food. Farm. Future

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Student Accommodation December 2019 1

3D virtual tours of student spaces One of the most common comments we receive from regional and international students is that they would have valued the ability to see exactly where they were going to live as part of their decision making process.

With our 3D virtual tours, they can.

Fully immersive 3D experience

Integrate video and other media

Fully mobile responsive on all devices

Cloud hosted and maintained

Highest resolution tours on the market

Google Street View integration

Export 360Ëš panoramas for use on social media

Export 4K high resolution printable still images

Need to talk about how 3D virtual tours can work at your college?

Call us on 02 6202 8000 or visit papermonkey.com.au/3d-virtual-tours 2 www.apsaa.org.au

NEWS

From APSAA Well, what a busy year it has been once again and already I’m writing the welcome to the last edition of the journal for 2019! The board have been feverishly working away with all of our amazing sub-committees to keep pushing forward with the strategic plan and delivering on the needs of our widespread membership.

Marion Bayley APSAA President, General Manager, Deakin Residential Services

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ersonally it was exciting for me to have hosted the Global Housing Training Institute (GHTI) program at Deakin Waterfront Campus, Geelong, it was wonderful to showcase the region and also to be able to spend some time with our participants and faculty throughout the week. In its second year it really proved to be a huge success, participants were delighted and informed by the amazing faculty, comprising of some of the best professionals in our industry both locally and internationally. Feedback has been resoundingly positive and plans are in motion for GHTI 2020 in Sydney so watch this space and get in early as places will be limited!

Arrangements are also well underway for the 2020 StarRez APSAA conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre that we had the privilege to visit during our board meeting a few weeks ago.

The venue is stunning and largely due to the guidance of Jacob Waitere, the conference committee and the team in the APSAA office, there is so much on offer for all of our membership. I would encourage all of you to consider the opportunity to be a part of this annual flagship event, whether as an attendee or through contributing a submission for our concurrent

Arrangements are also well underway for the 2020 StarRez APSAA conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre that we had the privilege to visit during our board meeting a few weeks ago.

sessions. The value of networking with fellow industry professionals, hearing some of the best keynote speakers on the circuit and gaining tangible take away best practice learnings should not be missed.

As always we have so much to celebrate in our industry, however it has been another year of challenges for many throughout our region. Our thoughts remain with our Aotearoa/New Zealand members and colleagues who are continuing to face challenges with the expedited implementation of the new Education (pastoral care) Amendment bill following the review by the Tertiary Education Commission. Many of our member institutions in NSW and QLD have had campus closures and emergency management plans implemented due to the horrific bush fires, whilst supporting residents many of whom

are from the affected regions. The effects have been felt far and wide as around the country residents who are away from their homes and families impacted by these devastating fires are being supported by so many of you. I continue to be inspired by the resilience, compassion and authenticity of the individuals that work in our profession and care for our student populations.

It is hard to believe that once again we are all hurtling towards the end of yet another year; processing placements, finishing leadership recruitment, finalising budgets, undergoing facility maintenance and upgrade works whilst planning what is set to be another exciting and challenging year in 2020. I hope that you all have a healthy, happy and at least some relaxation over the holiday period and I look forward to seeing you all in 2020.

Student Accommodation December 2019  3

NEWS

From the Editor

EDITORIAL TEAM Honi McNaughton

In this issue, we feature the Global Housing Training Institute (GHTI) with interviews and testimonies from attendees. This was the second GHTI and what an amazing experience! Five days of intensive knowhow delivered by highly skilled and knowledgeable, professional industry experts and mentors.

Honi is the Industry Development Manager for APSAA. With close to twenty years’ experience in communications, events, media, public affairs and issues management, she has worked in Industry Associations and the Corporate sector.

Areti Metuamate Areti is Dean at St Marks College, Adelaide.

Previous roles include: Deputy Master and Director of Student Experience at St Albert’s College, Armidale, Vice Master of Wesley College (Uni Sydney), Deputy Head of Toad Hall (ANU), and On Call Deputy Principal at Burgmann College (ANU).

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want to bring to your attention APSAA Learning and our incredible Continuing Professional Development Program developed by the Professional Development Committee. It is purpose-built for student accommodation professionals to develop their experience and increase their qualifications through a dedicated CPD program and vocational education resources.

You can read more about it and hear from one of our first ‘Practising Professionals’ to reach 100 CPD points on pages 14-15. You can join a webinar, write an article for the Journal, attend a networking event, the next GHTI or the annual APSAA Conference. All presenters and attendees receive CPD Points.

You can also take the next step and commence the Skill Sets or Diploma’s online anytime! 2020 is just around the corner and we have included our Calendar of Events for your planning. These are PD opportunities developed by industry professionals with you in mind. Check out the Calendar on the website https://www.apsaa.org. au/education/event-calendar/ (or inserted in this Issue) and also visit https://www.apsaa.org.au/apsaa-learning/cpd-program/and start planning and budgeting for your professional development in 2020.

It’s another bumper issue full of Committee Updates, industry insight and we include some incredible activities, programs and achievements from members. We’ve also revamped our APSAA Awards and encourage members to submit a relevant program for an Award or take the leap and submit a proposal to present at the Conference. There are a range of options so visit the website https://www.apsaa.org.au/conference/call-for-presentations/ for more information. The Conference Program has also been released and we have announced our Keynote Presenters. With so much to celebrate, the Conference will be ‘Our time to reflect, unite and ignite!’

And don’t forget, if you have an article that you would like to submit to the Journal, you also earn 30 CPD points upon publication – just like all our contributors!

I hope you enjoy this issue.

Honi McNaughton Editor, Student Accommodation

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APSAA NEW MEMBERS We welcome the following members who have joined APSAA since our last Journal edition.

APSAA now represents over 90% of student accommodation providers across the Asia-Pacific.

A full listing of APSAA Institution and Corporate members can be found on the APSAA website.

New Members – Institution

Wesley College

New Member – Industry Affiliate (Corporate)

NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

Campus Perth welcomes Chloe Lyons to the role as Director of Operations.

Scape snaps up Atira Scape has acquired the 3,500 -plus bed Atira portfolio in a near $700 million deal. The Atira acquisition strengthens Scape’s strategy to leverage its branded student accommodation offering in gateway education cities in Australia. Scape is also rumoured to be at the top of the bidding list to purchase Urbanest’s $2 billion student accommodation portfolio.

University of Waikato breaks ground for The Pā Construction of this campus gateway and social learning space will commence in March 2020, following site preparations which began in October. The Pā is set for completion by February 2022 and it is the largest capital works project in the Hamilton campus’ 55 year history.

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and Te Puhi Ariki Ngāwai hono i te po Paki, both alumni of the University, were guests of honour at the milestone event.

Story attribution: University of Waikato.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Vice-Chancellor Neil Quigley and Te Puhi Ariki Ngāwai hono i te po Paki together at the ground breaking ceremony for The Pā.

APSAA New Zealand Study Tour and Summit In late September, APSAA hosted a half-day study tour visiting three styles of accommodation at the University of Auckland including a new hall build, a studio building and a historic refurb for families with apartment style accommodation. The following day was the Learning Summit which continued the 2019 APSAA Conference theme of Ora (Living), Arahi (Leading), Ako (Learning).

The summit focused on creating environments for residents to live, learn and lead for the future. Attended by over twenty student accommodation professionals, learning outcomes enabled participants to make improvements in their own organisation, gave them exposure to APSAA’s Industry Guidelines and how to apply them, showed then how to create positive living/learning environments as they built their professional networks. Hosted by APSAA Vice-President and NZ Representative Jacob Waitere and APSAA President Marion Bayley, the event was hailed a success and will be held again in 2020.

Delegates at the APSAA NZ Summit

APSAA Brisbane Industry Update Emmanuel College hosted APSAA’s Brisbane member event in early September. Members heard from APSAA President Marion Bayley, VP Jacob Waitere and IAC Chair Tomas Johnsson as well as special guest Tim Weston from Student One talk about issues dealing with local, state and federal governments.

L-R: Tim Weston, Marion Bayley, Jacob Waitere and Tomas Johnsson at Emmanuel College in Brisbane.

Student Accommodation December 2019 5

NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

University of Auckland: Johnny Nu’u promoted to Resident Manager –Waipārūrū Hall Anna Hart appointed to Accommodation Coordinator – Accommodation Solutions Agnes Meredith-Leiataua appointed to Assistant Administrator – Accommodation Solutions

APSAA co-hosts Industry Event with Red Brick Scape Swanston was the location for this special industry event co-hosted by APSAA and Red Brick Research. After an industry update from APSAA IDM Honi McNaughton, , Red Brick’s presentation was built around their Global Student Living Survey delivering insights to the audience. Attendees were also treated to two cases studies further highlighting the results of the survey.

Lorraine Marsh appointed to Sales Coordinator – Summer Stays University of Waikato: Kerry Moore appointed to Residential Life Manager – Orchard Park UniLodge Auckland: Dylan Davies appointed to Customer Service Manager – 5 Whitaker Place Louise Hallo, APSAA board member and Deputy Principal, Emmanuel College has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship of Australia 2019. Louise will be travelling to USA in 2020 for 5 weeks to investigate how we can support young people to develop healthy and safe strategies when engaging in sexual relationships (looking at Respectful Relationships programs in the US based on affirmative consent models).

APSAA Adelaide Industry Update St Mark’s College was the location for APSAA’s Adelaide Industry Update for members on Monday 25 November.

Members were welcomed by Head of College Prof. Don Markwell and Deputy head Areti Metuamate and were given an update from APSAA President Marion Bayley, VP Jacob Waitere and IAC Chair Tomas Johnsson. The team updated members on APSAA Learning including feedback from the GHTI event and a preview of next year’s conference program.

L-R: Marion Bayley, Tomas Johnsson, Jacob Waitere, Don Markwell and Areti Metuamate.

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L-R: Red Brick’s Tim Daplyn and Ben Cooke.

NEWS

New Zealand update Tēnā koutou kātoa

Amy Lavini President, NZATEAP, Head of Halls, Massey University, Manawatu

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t has been a particularly busy and intense time for the sector in New Zealand over recent months following circumstances around a student death within university accommodation, which went unnoticed for an unconfirmed number of weeks. The incident remains under investigation and has been widely covered in media, resulting in ongoing scrutiny of the wider sector.

On the heels of public speculation, the Ministry of Education alongside the Tertiary Education Commission have taken a special interest in the case and workings of the sector more generally.

Since news of the incident emerged, tertiary education providers across the country have received information requests regarding pastoral care practices, operational structures and processes, and directives for full accommodation operation reviews.

News of the incident emerged just weeks prior to universities sending 2020 accommodation offers out, encouraging an influx of calls from parents and guardians of potential residents seeking reassurances. Pockets of students have also taken advantage of the current platform to raise their own concerns and experiences.

The biggest impact of the situation to-date has been the Government’s announcement around introducing a mandatory code of practice for tertiary accommodation (we currently have a voluntary code) and legislating pastoral care within the wider tertiary education sector.

This announcement came from the Minister of Education on the 14th of October, and submissions for the Education (Pastoral Care) Amendment Bill closed today. As you can imagine, there has been much concern and criticism raised over the haste which the Government are moving.

As an association, the NZATEAP Executive have submitted feedback to the bill on behalf of our members, and we are aware that a number of institutions and other collectives have made submissions also. Along with concerns over the haste the Government is moving, other matters that people are feeding back relate to the degree of prescriptive and punitive approaches to regulating the sector that the Ministry seem to be taking.

Where most are in support of a reviewed code and shared standards, recommendations of the various submissions relate to a want for more time to be taken to understand the complex nature of and potential implications to the sector. It is going to be interesting to see how the select committee receives and responds to feedback as an interim mandatory code is due to be finalised as soon as the first of December.

I believe it is important that when difficult times come, we look for the silver-linings. For me, the opportunity here is that there is now increased awareness of our sector and the challenging situations and environments we work within. Our code has been due an update and while our Professional Practices Sub-Committee had begun this piece of work, we were limited in time and resource to complete it on our own. Working in collaboration with government and other bodies such as Universities NZ is an opportunity that I hope we will have the opportunity to take full advantage of.

All of the above has been happening on top of the usual business of this time of year as students prepare for and sit final examinations and assessments. I am proud of the work that our members and fellow colleagues continue to carry out under the additional pressures that current events have brought. Bring on the end of year and upcoming opportunities for networking such as this year’s ANZSSA Conference and our NZATEAP PD Day taking place in Otago in December, I say!

Ngā mihi

Student Accommodation December 2019 7

NEWS

Asia update: Singapore Daniel Lee APSAA Board Member and Director, The Purple House, Malaysia

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ingapore is a city-state with a population of about 5.6 million people. Singapore’s land area is about 725 square kilometres or roughly half the size of London or Los Angeles. Like Malaysia, Singaporeans speak English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. Singapore is home to 2 top Asian universities; he National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University.

Singapore attracts about 75,000 foreign students mainly from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, India, and South Korea.

Singapore is home to six Autonomous Universities: NUS, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Technology & Design, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore University of Social Sciences.

APSAA stands to play an important role in shaping the Singaporean student accommodation scene in the future.

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The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) which offers apprenticeships for the skilled trades and diplomas in vocational education for skilled technicians was established in 1992 to replace the former Vocational & Industrial Training Board.

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There are five polytechnic institutions which are Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic. In addition, there are two institutions that provide higher education in the arts: LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).

ASIAN R 8 www.apsaa.org.au

There are eight foreign universities with local campuses in Singapore, including Australian universities such as Curtin University and James Cook University.

Singaporean higher education institutions commonly adopt a 2 semester format, whereby 1st semesters begin in August with a semester break from December to January. The 2nd semester begins in February with another semester break from June to July.

There are about 174,000 full time students enrolled in higher education institutions in Singapore. About 39% of the full-time students are enrolled at the Autonomous Universities, 41% are enrolled in Polytechnics and 16% are enrolled at ITE. The rest are mostly enrolled in the private institution for art (LASALLE and NAFA).

Many of the major Singaporean universities offer on-campus housing, the most notable being NUS with about 8,000 beds. NUS offers housing in residential common/serviced apartments as well as residential colleges. Polytechnics and smaller institutions generally do not offer oncampus accommodation and usually refer their students to off-campus private providers, landlords and property listing websites.

Most of the residential housing in Singapore are publicly governed and developed by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) with as many as 80% of Singaporeans living in HDB flats. For off-campus housing, this is the main choice of accommodation for local and international students due to their relative affordability and well-developed public transportation system. Students mainly live in HDB flats which are either family dwellings or rented from owners of HDB flats.

Singapore also has a few Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA’s) operators such as yo:ha which has over 2,000 beds under management and Dwell which has 332 beds under management.

As space in a premium city-state like Singapore, both on and off campus student accommodation offer a range of single, twin, triple, quad and six-share rooms, mostly in high-rise buildings. Typically, single beds cost around SG$1500 per month to rent while 6 share rooms cost around SG$500 per month to rent. Gender segregation in managed student accommodation is normal, as is the case for Asian countries. In addition, gambling, smoking, consumption of alcohol and habit-forming drugs are also not permitted in managed student accommodation.

A couple of sexual misconduct offenses have made headlines in Singapore, most notably the case of a NUS undergraduate being filmed in the shower in April 2019. In the following months, NUS has announced increased security measures at its student accommodation, such as increased number of security guards, installing hundreds of closed-circuit television cameras and securing toilets and shower cubicles. In addition, NUS established a review committee to review its disciplinary framework on sexual misconduct with tougher sanctions for offenders.

While Singaporean student accommodation can be considered of a decent and international standard, there are still no local industry standards or association representing operators of student accommodation in Singapore. APSAA stands to play an important role in shaping the Singaporean student accommodation scene in the future.

Student Accommodation December 2019  9

NEWS

Professional Development Committee Update Laura Burge Chair APSAA PD Committee, Student Experience Manager Deakin Residential Services

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ell 2019 is nearly done and dusted! If you’re like me, you’re looking back now wondering where the year went, but as we head towards the start of the ‘oh my gosh, I don’t have time to do anything’ season (you know exactly what I mean leading into January!) it provides a perfect opportunity to reflect on the last quarter, and, to get excited about all of what’s on offer in 2020 for APSAA members.

APSAA Learning CPD Update: I’m very pleased to advise that an additional number of APSAA members have achieved their status as a Practicing Professional.

At time of printing there were twentyfour members who have achieved 100 CPD points. The full list is on the APSAA website and on page XX. Recognition as a Practicing Professional for 2019 remains open until the 2020 Conference, so make the most of the networking events and weekday webinars ahead to ensure you achieve this status in time. Whilst 50% of points must be obtained via APSAA activities, members can also receive points via relevant independent learning including, but not limited to: • Blog Articles • Formal Study Programs • Authorship of a Peer Review Journal • Presentation(s) at relevant industry conferences You can view your current tally via the APSAA Learning website https://www.apsaa.org.au/ apsaa-learning/cpd-program/

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Weekday Webinars

What’s Ahead

An additional three weekday webinars have featured as part of the APSAA Learning calendar of late including:

• Transformational Leadership with Carolyn Ballagh, La Trobe University

Keep any eye on the APSAA LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook pages to keep up to date with future events.

APSAA’s 2020 Calendar has now been released and is available on the APSAA website under APSAA Learning/Event Calendar for view and download. You can also find an insert within this issue. The Calendar provides fantastic opportunities, both face-to-face and online for networking and learning including:

Feedback has been positive and has formed the next offering of webinars.

• Weekday Webinars (March, April, June, July, August, Sept & October)

• Building Design with Trevor Hamilton, Nettleton Tribe • Student Employability with Al Martin, University of Western Australia

All who attended should see 20 CPD points added to their tally – leading them increasingly closer to Practicing Professional status.

Industry Induction Webinars – New in March & August 2020 New to the industry and/or the Association? In 2020, APSAA will be facilitating two Industry Induction Webinars, designed to highlight how members can make the most of their membership. Members are invited to register and log-in to these brief (30 – 45 minute) online sessions to find out more about APSAA Learning, speak with members of the APSAA Board and Committees and ask any questions they may have. Launching in March 2020, we encourage all institutions and organisations to ensure at least one member has attended.

• State-based Networking Events • APSAA Book Club • APSAA Qualifications (all online and accessible 24-7) • Industry Induction Webinars (March & August)

Keen to be more involved?

We are always on the lookout for members to share their knowledge and expertise and there is a myriad of ways you can do this. Carolyn Ballagh, La Trobe University, recently facilitated one of our Weekday Webinars. If you are keen to raise your professional profile, or share a project or initiative of interest, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any member of the APSAA Board or Committee.

NEWS

Industry Advancement Committee Update Tomas Johnsson Chair APSAA IAC, UniLodge CEO

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s the industry itself is rapidly evolving in response to reform in the education sector, legislative changes, immigration and a shifting competitive landscape, APSAA’s Industry Advancement Committee is shaping our effort to be effective.

The overall strategy is to leverage our efforts and seek cooperative partners wherever possible to achieve a stronger voice. I am pleased to have been warmly and professionally welcomed to the APSAA board and am convinced that strong collaboration internally will strengthen our efforts and improve our effectiveness. The combined resources of the Association are formidable, and we are some way down the path of unlocking the value.

IAC’s strategy has been endorsed by the board and we are now in the process of implementation. The recent member survey will help in shaping our priorities for the remainder of the financial year, and we commit to pursuing the areas of most interest to you all. We are finalising a database of advocacy targets as well as partners by state to ensure a speedy and effective response as various issues heat up.

We have also stepped up our search for reciprocal partnerships with likeminded organisations, consistent with the leverage strategy. Next stage is to formalise APSAA’s position on the more pressing issues to establish clarity of purpose. Thank you to all that have contributed so far, the information provided is very useful.

The worst possible issue for us all to deal with is injury or death of students in our care, and unfortunately our

colleagues in New Zealand have had that to contend with recently, as you would be aware. As a collective industry, we fear such tragic events and will do everything we can to safe guard the students in our care.

The New Zealand Government is also responding strongly and is seeking consultation on an Educational Amendment Bill for reform. APSAA members in New Zealand have written their own submissions for this Bill. The IAC understands that TEQSA is also watching this issue closely. We will continue to monitor and keep our members updated as required.

Back in Australia, the Queensland Land Tax issue continues to evolve.

For those not familiar with the topic, Queensland government announced a shock increase to land tax, moving it up 0.25% for all and adding a foreign land tax surcharge of 2%. This effectively doubles the land tax for many properties. It was supposed to be implemented in June 2019, however strong advocacy effort has stalled implementation. APSAA and many of its members have made submissions and attended stakeholder meetings to seek exemptions to this tax treatment. It is currently under consideration and advice is expected in late November or early December. Once again, we will keep members updated.

We have closed out the issue of Queensland pedestal charges after succeeding to reverse a similar scenario to the land tax. The outcome is a clear victory where future slated increases have instead been reverted to decreases – on average 3% savings per annum over the next few years. Many buildings also enjoyed retrospective adjustments in favour of our members.

The false fire alarm charge project has also been closed out. The IAC spent a few months mapping false fire alarm charges to investigate whether a wholistic approach may result in financial savings. Due to the complexity and local differences between various buildings, fire service operators and fire departments, we have concluded that we have limited ability to influence these charges. Instead, we have posted an article in this December Journal with general advice accompanied by an expert opinion on the topic of fire safety. You can read about the topic on pages 28-30.

Changes to Residential Tenancies Acts across Australia continues to occupy the committee and other APSAA members. Changes are afoot in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia and we have representation in each jurisdiction. In Queensland, UniLodge is actively piloting their proposed on-line bond system. It is not geared for bulk treatment and international restrictions which our industry needs to facilitate. Subject to these trials and RTA budget process, the system change is likely to be implemented mid 2020.

Thanks for your on-going support.

Please contact us if you have any particular issue that you would like us to pursue, or better still, if you want to be involved.

Student Accommodation December 2019 11

Australian Student Accommodation – Q3 2019

Spotlight on Investability

F E AT U R E

MARKET IN MINUTES

Savills Research

Australia recognised as the Australia recognised as the most investable most investable student student accommodation market globally accommodation market globally Savills Market In Australian student accommodation Investment into the Between 2012 and 2017 the total number of students in Higher report record levels in 2019, highlighting a marketMinutes has reached Education has increased by 11% to exceed 220 million. While Savills Research significant shift in maturity and momentum for the sector. favourable demographic shifts have driven growth in some students.

US andgrowth the UK still Savills 2019 Global Living Report nvestment into the Australian Opportunities to acquire national portfolios, significant markets, many nations are grappling withThe slowing or a remain by far the top two identifies six Australian capital student accommodation market capital raises and on-campus activity has further pushed the declining student age population. In order to counteractcountries this, for universities withintothe cities which feature within the are top activelyglobally has reached record levels in 2019, asset class into the mainstream spotlight. a number of countries increasing their appeal top 400, with 75 and 45 respectively 100 cities around the world which highlighting a significant shift in international students. in 2020, followed by Germany (23) in ten years’ time will be the most maturity and momentum for the Reflecting this sentiment, the newly released Savills and Australia (22). But, both the ‘youthful’ (the largest share of people sector. Opportunities to acquire 2019 Global Living Report ranks theportfolios, main global student theForecast past five years, and only US second tohave India, the number and UK seen a decline in agedOver 15-39). youthfulness national significant accommodation markets according to their attractiveness to of students studying in Australia has grown substantially the number of institutions within is shaping investment into capital raises and on-campus activity investors. Australia tops the index. (figurestudent 2). Byaccommodation contrast many majorthe student top 400markets, since 2010.including Australia’s Australia’s hasinaugural further pushed the asset class thewith UKdemographic and US, have seen the sizepost-study of their university-aged work visa provides a sector, change into the mainstream spotlight. incentive for many people to the profile decline of the student The report looks at a range of factors including demographics, shifting populations over the samehuge period.

Reflecting this sentiment, the newly consider studying in Australia. accommodation investor (figure 1). migration, affordability, local legislation, delivery of released Savills 2019 Global Living accommodation, University rankings and student numbers, Australia has benefited greatly from its geographic proximity Between 2012 and 2017 the Improving Higher Education Report ranks the main global student weighting each factor according to its importance. to major Asian source asnumber China,ofIndia, Vietnam total students in standards across the globe is markets such accommodation markets according and Malaysia.

The number of international students enrolled Higher Education has increased broadening choice and making to their attractiveness to investors.

Many developed countriesAustralia are experiencing a fall in their in Higher Australia now accounts around by 11% to exceedfor 220 million.a competition forEducation internationalinstudents tops the inaugural index. student aged population. Australia ranks first as a market third of total students.

While favourable demographic greater than ever. Although University The in report looks at aage range of factors shifts have driven growth in tuition fees are a drag on Australia’s forecast to see strong growth its student population. demographics, migration, some markets, many nations are its institutions have a The young, Millennials andincluding Generation Z, are shaping demand ranking, Figure 2. Higher Education Across Countries affordability, local legislation, grappling with slowing growth or a strong international standing and for real estate’s fastest growing asset classes, including delivery of accommodation, declining student age population. remain a top destination for foreign purpose built student accommodation.

While much of the University rankings and student 25% INCREASE developed world ages, Australia’s urbanised cities DECREASE numbers,most weighting each factor are forecast to remain youthful, underpinning demand for according to its importance. student accommodation.

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A mea overse to the the inc additi Austra study

Growth (Increase or Decrease)

Many developed countries are a fall insix their student Savills 2019 Global Living experiencing Report identifies Australian 15% aged population. Australia ranks first capital cities which feature within the top 100 cities around as a market forecast to see strong the world which in ten years’ time will be the most ‘youthful’ growth in its student age population.

10% (the largest share of peopleThe aged 15-39).

Forecast young, Millennials andyouthfulness Generation is shaping investment intoZ,Australia’s are shapingstudent demand accommodation for real sector, with demographic change shifting the profile of the estate’s fastest growing asset classes, 5% student accommodation investor including(figure purpose1). built student accommodation. While much of the 0% developed worldacross ages, Australia’s Improving Higher Education standards the globe is most urbanised citiesfor areinternational forecast broadening choice and making competition to remain youthful, underpinning students greater than ever. Although University tuition Source: Savills Global Living Report 2019 using national Higher demand for student accommodation.

Figure 2. Higher Education Across Countries

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fees are a drag on Australia’s ranking, its institutions have a Education statistics (2018/19 enrollment or latest available) strong international standing and remain a top destination The US remains the largest market for international students, for foreign students. The US and the UK still remain by far host to one million international students (but only 5% by the top two countries globally 37.0%3 for universities6.0% within the36.0%3 top 5.0% 34.0%3 2.0% of total students).

The UK is the second largest market 400, with 75 and 45 respectively in 2020, followed Canberra Brisbaneby Germany MelbourneS shareydneyP erth Adelaide for international students by number with 460,000, closely (23) and Australia (22). But, both the US and UK have seen followed by Australia, host to 430,000. Together, these three a decline in the number of institutions within the top 400 Figure 1. Total Percentage of Youthfullness (15-39) in Australian cities by 2029. Source: Savills Global Living Report 2019, Oxford Economics countries account for a third of all globally mobile students, since 2010. Australia’s post-study work visa provides a huge according to UNESCO. incentive for many people to consider studying in Australia.

12 www.apsaa.org.au

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F E AT U R E

In order to counteract this, a number of countries are actively increasing their appeal to international students.

Over the past five years, and only second to India, the number of students studying in Australia has grown substantially (figure 2). By contrast many major student markets, including the UK and US, have seen the size of their university-aged populations decline over the same period.

Australia has benefited greatly from its geographic proximity to major Asian source markets such as China, India, Vietnam and Malaysia. The number of international students enrolled in Higher Education in Australia now accounts for around a third of total students.

The US remains the largest market for international students, host to one million international students (but only 5% by share of total students). The UK is the second largest market for international students by number

characteristics to Australia, ranks second. with 460,000, closely followed by Australia, host to 430,000. Together, these three Australian Student Accommodation – Q3 2019 Until early 2019, a lack of available countries account for a third of all globally operational assets to purchase has held mobile students, according to UNESCO. the sector back from an investment, liquidity and access perspective. However, Having addressed the above mentioned Having addressed the above mentioned factors, low levels of Until early 2019, a student lack of available operational assets to with over 24,240 accommodation factors, low levels of PBSA provision, PBSA provision, transparency around investment, and political, purchase has held the sector back from an investment, beds completed since January 2017 and transparency around investment, and social and economic stability pushes Australia to the top of the liquidity and access perspective. However, with over a further 4,170 accommodation expected to be political, social economic pushes investability rankingand (figure 3). Canada, stability a market with similar 24,240 student bedscompleted completed characteristics Australia, second. sinceend January 2017 andwe a further 4,170 expected to be by the of 2020, expect transaction Australia to to the top ofranks the investability ranking completed by the end of 2020, we expect transaction volumes continue tracking upward. (figure 3). Canada, a market with similar volumesto to continue tracking upward.

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Figure 3. Student Housing Investability Index. Source: Savills Global Living Report 2019

Beyond the Curriculum, OCCUPIERS: GEN Z ARE THE NEW Universities are Investing KIDS ON THE BLOCK Gen Z Are The in Campus Infrastructure Occupiers: ‘Generation Z’, defined broadly as those Beyond the Curriculum, Universities Investing to Boost are Competitiveness between 1995The and 2010.

They New born Kids On Block

in Campus Infrastructure to Boost Competitiveness Disruptive change and technological innovation is prompting universities into developing and announcing campus infrastructure projects. From high-tech research facilities to cafés, shops, entertainment and student accommodation, universities are reimagining and expanding their campuses to align with current lifestyles, urban environments and demographic changes.

Since the start of 2019 we have seen an unparalleled level of innovative development and investment proposals as universities throughout Australia embark on collaborative and dynamic campus renewal programs.

2019 has seen the re-emergence of regional universities publicising investment and development strategies

These masterplan proposals are aligned with both the public and private sector.

2019 has seen the League table position, re-emergence of regional funding pressures and Ever increasing competitionrecruitment across thesuccess Higherof universities publicising investment and students catalysts for Education sector has prompted universities development strategies activity

are now the major occupier of student accommodation are true ‘Generation Z’, defined and broadly asdigital thosenatives, born hyper-connected and unforgiving of poorly betweendesigned 1995 and 2010. They are now the online services.

major occupier of student accommodation and This generation was the first to be exposed are true digital natives, hyper-connected and to the internet from a very young age, unforgiving of poorly online services. including socialdesigned networks and smartphones.

For living, app-based or seamless online

services when renting and dealing with This generation was the first to be exposed to property management will be important for such as Curtin, Flinders, Newcastle, La Trobe, the internet fromthis a very young age, including engaging cohort.

Swinburne, Western Sydney and Charles Disruptive change and technological innovation is prompting social networks and smartphones. For living, Understanding what makes this generation universities developingplans and announcing Darwin, tointo announce to createcampus new or seamless onlinefor services when unique will be important investors, infrastructure projects. From high-tech research facilities to cafés, app-based innovation precincts and redevelop developers operators of student shops, entertainment and student accommodation, universities arerenting and dealingand with property management campusesand into amenity-rich environments. accommodation. reimagining expanding their campuses to align with current will be important for engaging this cohort. lifestyles, urban environments and demographic changes.

These regenerative improvements are aimed at enhancing the experience forunparalleled students,level Understanding what makes this generation Since the start of 2019 we have seen an of innovative development and investment proposals staff and local community and expand theas unique will be important for investors, developers universities throughout Australia embark on collaborative status of universities both domestically and and operators of student accommodation. and dynamic campus renewal programs.

These masterplan proposals are aligned with both the public and private sector. internationally.

Ever increasing competition across the Higher Education sector has prompted universities such as Curtin, Flinders, Newcastle, La Trobe, Swinburne, Western Sydney and Charles Darwin, to announce plans to create new innovation precincts and redevelop campuses into amenity-rich environments. These regenerative improvements are aimed at enhancing the experience for students, staff and local community and expand the status of universities both domestically and internationally.

League table position, funding pressures and recruitment success of students catalysts for activity

Student Accommodation December 2019 13

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

APSAA Learning: 100 CPD points reached = Practising Professional Gemma Edgar General Manager, Student Living, Infrastructure and Facilities Services, Resources Division, Newcastle University

APSAA recently launched its Continuing Professional Development program where members can partake in a range of development opportunities receiving CPD points for each approved undertaking.

M

embers who have reached 100 CPD Points have been awarded the level of Practising Professional and will be able to display this with a digital signature and Certificate. We selected a member at random to provide a testimonial about the APSAA Learning CPD Program, you can read their experience below.

As an APSAA member you are automatically registered for the CPD program!

Check your balance through the membership portal and boost your student accommodation career through APSAA Learning.

Did you know?

APSAA WEBINARS:

Presenters earn 50 CPD Points Attendees earn 20 CPD points

Gemma Edgar, APSAA Practising Professional What activities did you undertake to reach the 100 CPD Points?

• Attended the APSAA Conference • Presented at the APSAA Conference • Took part in an APSAA Webinar Why did you choose those activities?

The yearly conference is a great experience to share and demonstrate what you have been doing throughout the year in your own space. It is also an incredible learning experience to hear what other people are doing. Over the past years, I have seen a huge development in the areas of student wellbeing, and I love knowing that we can have a positive

14 www.apsaa.org.au

contribution in this area. For that reason I, along with my colleagues presented on some work that we have done in this space. I like that this also creates new relationships with other providers who you then build partnerships with through the following year. When we share and work together, residents within all of our communities benefit.

The webinar series this year has been fantastic! I have heard great feedback from all staff who have participated. Once again, that idea of sharing knowledge and experience is so valuable. The discussions that follow on from it allow us to learn from others and to refine what we are doing to give the best possible experience to our residents.

How will you use this new knowledge in your workplace?

I took part in the Future Proofing Student Housing: Avoiding Oversupply webinar – which was informative. It gave me an insight into the world of design and what the future of Student Accommodation is going to look like. We are at an interesting time, along with other regional campuses looking at our current offer, future offering and where there is potential to meet high demand – it is an exciting time. It was also great to see what other regional campuses are doing at UTAS and Deakin – Geelong.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

APSA Profess A Continuing ional D evelop ment

C E R T IF

IC A T E

O F AT TEND

ANCE

100 APSAA Learning CPD points achieved Helen Allchurch, Iglu Liza Allen, Dunmore Lang College Marion Bayley, Deakin Residential Services Cameron Bestwick, University of Melbourne Paterson Boyd, St Leo’s College Laura Burge, Deakin Residential Services Katrina Clifford, Robert Menzies College Gemma Edgar, University of Newcastle Louise Hallo, Emmanuel College Kasey Hartung, University Hall, UWA Tomas Johnsson, UniLodge Melissa Jones, Trinity Residential College, UWA Dominic Kilduff, Mannix College Andre Lee, Curtin University Daniel Lee, The Purple House Alister Martin, University Hall, UWA Lynda Mathey, University of Canberra College Areti Metuamate, St Mark’s College Alasdair Murrie-West, Dunmore Lange College Phil Shelley, Scape

Propel your career with APSAA Learning APSAA Learning is a purpose-built Continuing Professional Development program for student accommodation professionals at all levels of their professional journey across the Asia-Pacific.

APSAA Learning incorporates • Tertiary Vocational Qualifications – Advanced Diploma & Diploma • Webinars • Face-to-face workshops • Global Housing Training Institute • Knowledge Exchange • APSAA Book Club • Study Tours • Annual Conference • Professional Staff Exchange Opportunities • Social Networking • Onsite Learning and more!

Martin Thomas, Wintec Student Residence Trust Jacob Waitere, University of Auckland

www.apsaa.org.au/apsaa-learning

Vincent Wilson, Deakin Residential Services Tricia Wylde, University Hall, UWA Student Accommodation December 2019 15

F E AT U R E

GHTI: Inspirational, Transformational, Aspirational Student Accommodation Professional Development Program exceeds second year expectations.

In 2018, APSAA and ACUHO-I successfully brought the first Global Housing Training Institute (GHTI) to Australia. This year, the intensive, professional development program repeated the program – with even greater success. Held at Deakin Residential Services Geelong Waterfront Campus, from 1822 November, the program challenged participants and faculty to go beyond past learning experiences which enabled them to surpass their personal and professional expectations.

Who should attend GHTI? This program is developed specifically for student accommodation professionals from any sector of the industry with a minimum of twelve months experience with up to five years experience. Attendees from the College sector, University and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation providers have all attended and enthusiastically encourage their professional cohort to attend.

The GHTI Faculty: Co-Chairs, Edwina Ellicott-University of Wollongong and Michael Schultz-Project Managment Advisors, Laura Burge-Deakin Residential Services, Gay Perez-University of Virginia, Sarah Waters-University of Kansas, Jacob Waitere-University of Auckland and Vincent Wilson-Deakin Residential Services.

The faculty L-R: Chris Silva, Sarah Waters, Gay Perez, Michael Schultz, Jacob Waitere, Laura Burge and Vincent Wilson. Absent: Edwina Ellicott.

16 www.apsaa.org.au

The GHTI Participants: Glenn Angus – Deakin University, Monica Bordignon – Australian Catholic University, Jodie Hazell – Deakin Residential Services, Angela Horn – CQU Student Residences, Basit Iqbal – Qatar Foundation, Anastasiia Kuleshova – Atira, Chelsea Murray – UniLodge Australia Pty Ltd, Rachel Overton – University of Canberra, Eleanor Smith – University of Wollongong, Kathy-Mae Tondut – Campus Living Villages Murdoch, Luke Reilly – UniLodge, Anne-Marie Yates – Australian Catholic University The GHTI Feedback: Overwhelmingly positive, the Faculty implemented feedback from last year’s program ensuring the GHTI program was developed specifically for AsiaPacific’s student accommodation professionals. The response from participants is a sure sign that the GHTI program was perfectly targeted for a growing industry requiring intensive and transformational professional development opportunities.

The participants. L-R: Basit Iqbal, Angela Horn, Jodie Hazell, Anastasiia Kuleshova, Chelsea Murray, Anne-Marie Yates, Luke Reilly, Kathy-Mae Tondut, Eleanor Smith, Rachel Overton, Monica Bordignon and Glenn Angus.

F E AT U R E

The GHTI Program Monday

The GHTI Program began on Monday with all faculty and participants meeting each other and forming their learning groups identity. The evening concluded with a group dinner and an institute orientation and community building development exercise.

Tuesday

Using APSAA’s Industry Guidelines as the central platform for the program, participants got down to work with presentations from Sarah Waters and Laura Burge on Developing as a Professional through a competency model.

Chris Silva and Vince Wilson. This all important section was designed to enhance participants understanding of budget and finance skills as used as a planning and goal setting document.

The next session focused on Facilities Management and was presented by Michael Schultz.

Friday

On the final day, participants began with an intensive session on Human Resources.

These sessions were delivered by Edwina Ellicott and Vince Wilson. The final session was about current issues and was delivered by a passionate Laura Burge.

The closing session was the Faculty panel.

The afternoon session focused on further discussions about the competency model with the learning groups asked to consider questions and assessment practices. The next session focused on Student Wellbeing (how to flourish) and was delivered enthusiastically by Jacob Waitere and Edwina Ellicott.

The event closed with a group dinner including graduation ceremony.

The last session for the day featured Policy Development and Student Involvement and was designed to enhance participants understanding of policy development in a broader university setting, the impact on student housing and the important role students can play in policy development.

This topic was delivered by Vince Wilson and special guest presenter Kean Selway, COO and VP Deakin University.

Glenn Angus-Deakin Residential Services, when asked what he will be taking back to his institution said, “A holistic view of the industry and operations”. Glenn also believes that GHTI should be a compulsory part of all inductions to the industry.

Wednesday

The morning session focused on Crisis/ Risk Management and was presented

by Gay Perez. Participants came to grips with how to manage risk and respond to crisis situations that may occur in the residential setting of housing operations.

The group then travelled into Melbourne CBD to visit RMIT for the afternoon session focused on Students: Programming, Academic Initiatives and Student Leaders.

Thursday

A dozen participants called Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus home for the weeklong intensive professional development program. We asked participants for comments and this is a snapshot of their feedback.

Monica Bordignon from ACU said she will be taking back, “tips on developing a framework for our Living and Learning Communities model.” Monica is new to the industry and found the opportunity to liaise with experienced members invaluable.

Jodie Hazell-Deakin Residential Services said the biggest benefit of attending GHTI was the “networking and the breadth of topics covered and the willingness and openness of the Faculty.”

When asked if she would recommend GHTI she said, “Absolutely! It is the best student residential focussed training, opportunity available to you!”

The morning kicked off with a session on Budget and Finance presented by

Angela Horn-CQ University was asked what attracted her to take part in GHTI said,

If you have the opportunity to attend GHTI, jump at it!

GHTI aka Great, Humbling, Transformational, Inspirational.

“The week-long course being so in-depth would help me develop my skills in the student accommodation industry.”

Basit Iqbal- Qatar Foundation described GHTI as, “eye-opening, exciting and informative,” and said it was the “people, the faculty and their diverse backgrounds” that he found to be the biggest benefit of taking part in GHTI. Anastasiia Kuleshova- Atira/Shaped by Scape enthusiastically replied, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” when asked if she would recommend GHTI to other industry professionals.

“You get an opportunity to pick the brains of very experienced professionals and receive help with putting puzzles together for your future career path.”

Chelsea Murray-UniLodge at RMIT Bundoora said, “There were so many ideas, notes, improvements and changes applicable”. She also said “If you have the opportunity to attend GHTI, jump at it!”

Rachel Overton-University of Canberra said of attending the GHTI. “The course exceeded my expectations and has provided me with some outstanding networks. The quality and knowledge of the faculty has been excellent.”

She will be “taking back a toolkit to allow me to evaluate the existing services, to ensure it is fit for purpose and customer centric.”

Luke Reilly-UniLodge said GHTI made him “a more well-rounded professional within the student accommodation industry,” and he will be taking back to his site, “strategies and initiatives that we can use to improve our housing.”

Kathy-Mae Tondut-CLV Murdoch University said she will be taking back to her site, “fresh ideas, new concepts, connections and a renewed commitment to the industry.”

We asked participants to describe their experience in three words: Insightful; Caring; Intentional; Mind-blowing; Motivating; Educational; Exciting; Intense; Informative, Fun; Passionate; Commitment; Memorable; Knowledge; Valuable; Interesting; Inspiring; Humbling; Energising!

It is the best student residential focussed training, opportunity available to you!

Student Accommodation December 2019 17

INDUSTRY ISSUE

Residential Tenancies Act: NSW Proposed Changes public co

nsultatio

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New Sou

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Simone Gallo IAC Committee Member, ManagerLiving and Learning Communities, Student Services and Services Directorate, Australian Catholic University

enanc

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he Department of Customer Service, Better Regulation Division invited public consultation on the draft proposed Residential Tenancies Regulation 2019. The APSAA Industry Advancement Committee members in NSW reviewed the proposed changes outlined in the Regulatory Impact Statement and the regulation itself to prepare a submission on behalf of the industry.

An exemption under the Act is being sought by recognised inclusion in Part 4 Exemptions 25, Residential colleges and halls of residence in educational institutions.

Given our student accommodation providers are usually affiliated with and in partnership with educational institutions to house their domestic and international student cohorts, inclusion in this exemption is appropriate.

The following clauses are cause for concern for our members as they adversely affect student accommodation provider business models.

Part 3 Section 17 Alterations to residential premises: s 66 (2A) as noted on page 8 of the draft.

We sought exception given that student accommodation is fully furnished with mostly fixed cabinetry in bedrooms. Allowing permanent fixtures and alterations for our often shorter than average residential agreement would lead to costly maintenance to bring the premises back to its original state in time for the next resident, which would flow on to greater rental fees for students.

18 www.apsaa.org.au

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obj Tenanc ect of this Regul ies Reg ulation ation is to rep This Re 2010. eal and gulation remake pro (a) , with am the standa vides for the fol endments lowing rd form (b) , the pro matters: of reside the form visions ntial ten of conditi of the Res (c) ancy agr on report idential the forms eement s for res s, domest to be used by idential ic me pre vio dic mis len Residentia al practit ce es, ioners wh l Tenanc for the purpos (d) ies Act additional en es ma of term 2010, charges inating king a declara (e) payable mandator tion a res tha idential by landlo y terms (f) tenancyt a person is a rds and for long the water vic agreem tenants, term lea efficiency ent und tim of usage, ses, er the measures (g) required alterations for reside to (h) ntial pre exemption premises that mises if are con s from tha ten (i) ant sid s are to ered of matters t Act, be charge a minor nature, Civil andrelating to enf d for wa orcement ter which pen Administrativ of that Ac e alty not (j) t, includ ices ma Tribunal, limits the inte ing the y be issu rest pay This Re ed and on the Tribun time limits for able on the pen rental bon (2) (e), gulation is ma alties thaal’s monetary making app lication t such not jurisdicti (4), 105 26 (1), 29 (6), de under the Res ds. s to the on ices ma 32 (c), 224 (the B (3), 105C (2) y imposeand offences for 38 (1) (e)idential Tenanc general (d), 115 , , 39 (1) ies Act regulation 201 (3) (b) -making , 125 (3), 134 , 40 (1) (h), 0, including 44 (2) section power).

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Schedule 1 Standard Form Agreement Break Fee Section 49 This reform is untenable from an investment perspective, as they provide tenants with excessive flexibility while undermining student accommodation providers’ certainty as to the term of any fixed-term residency agreement.

Given the student only nature of this industry, if the student vacates prior to the end of the agreement the accommodation provider will find it difficult to sell this apartment outside of the beginning of a semester.

With education as Australia’s third largest export industry and one of Australia’s most dynamic industries, worth $33 billion in 2018 in fees, goods and services (source DFAT).

Currently there are approximately 86,000 beds across Australia’s six largest student markets. By December 2022, the number of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation PBSA beds is expected to reach over 100,000.

In Sydney, by the end of 2019, the total stock of operational PBSA will be almost 20,000 beds (source JLL Australian Student Accommodation Investment Review & Outlook 2019).

This sector – also employs many thousands of people during the design, build and construction phases.

And these operators employ hundreds of professional student services personnel ensuring students are well catered for in all areas of health and wellbeing, providing support services and live-in experiences that are worlds-best practices.

APSAA and its members are concerned that without these requested amendments and exemptions to the NSW RTA 2019, that it would put our industry at risk as it will severely deter the provision of long-term safe housing for domestic and international students with stable providers that have signed service agreements with various institutions.

Further discussion between committee members finds a position where we would like to request further consideration under the act to create student accommodation specific clauses which define and support the student accommodation industry and give clarity and guidance to residents. We will keep you updated on the progress of this issue.

INDUSTRY ISSUE

Residential Tenancies Act: Changes in Victoria Matt McLean General Manager, Goliath Housing

I

n 2015 the Victorian Government under its “Plan for Fairer, Safer Housing” launched a review of the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 (RTA). The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2018 was passed in September 2018 and included more than 139 reforms.

All reforms will be in place by July 2020. Unfortunately, this once in twenty years opportunity to cater the RTA to the needs of the Education Accommodation Sector was missed and our strongly placed views were not considered. This is despite submissions from various groups such as Atira Student Living, Scape and other individual operators. This is surprising given that the RTA already has the precedent of catering for separate groups such as Rooming Houses (Part 3) and Caravan Parks (Part 4). All of these groups house many fewer people than providers of accommodation to students in Victoria.

The effect of the changes for Accommodation Providers if they fall under the RTA is twofold. Firstly, there has been changes made that can potentially impact negatively on the operations of student accommodation. These changes include items such as allowing pets in rental properties and permitting minor modifications to rental properties without the landlords’ permission.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, in the absence of a definition of student accommodation there is the potential for student accommodation to be classified as a Rooming House as per the definition contained in the RTA. This would compel student accommodation providers (SAP) to operate within part 3 of the RTA. The definition of a Rooming House (RH) is below: ““rooming house” means a building, other than an SDA enrolled dwelling, in which there is one or more rooms available for occupancy on payment of rent— (a) in which the total number of people who may occupy those rooms is not less than 4; or (b) in respect of which a declaration under section 19(2) or (3) is in force;” Definition of room: ““room” means a room in a building, where the room is occupied or intended to be occupied for the purpose of a residence by a person having a right to occupy the room together with a right to use in common with others any facilities in the building but does not include a selfcontained apartment;”

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Before the RTA changes this was not an issue as the current section 94 of the RTA allowed SAP falling foul of this definition to use part two residential tenancy leases. However, with the changes to the RTA this exemption is being removed and SAP meeting the RH definition will be forced to use part 3 leases.

Part 3 leases allow tenants to give 14 days’ notice to terminate a lease, even in the case of a fixed term lease.

The commercial reality of this future situation is clear and does not need to be explained here. Suffice to say all of this has been very clearly and passionately explained to both politicians and the bureaucracy, all to no avail.

What is without doubt in Victoria and other states is that Student Accommodation needs to be clearly defined in the RTA and the nuances of its operation allowed for. This will ensure the proper leasing arrangements are put in place that benefit both the students and the providers, allowing this important Industry to move forward and continue to flourish.

Student Accommodation December 2019 19

APSAA AWARDS

APSAA Awards: Changes reflect industry diversity

Recognition of APSAA members is a core part of the Association.

Promoting and celebrating innovation, service and best practice of individual and institutional members is an important part of advancing the profession, and supporting leadership is an essential part of the culture of APSAA. 20 www.apsaa.org.au

As the industry has grown and the landscape of the profession has changed dramatically, APSAA’s Award Working Group has examined the current awards structure and processes associated with our members’ outstanding efforts.

Previously, members could nominate for one of two categories in each ‘Excellence’ section. The categories were; Institution under 500 beds, and Institution over 500 beds. These categories have been removed and instead three separate categories have been installed. The Housing Operator of the Year has also been removed.

The Excellence Awards are now categorised three ways; Universities, Colleges and Corporates. The Award Working Group has also introduced a new award; Excellence in United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Introduced as part of APSAA’s 25th anniversary celebrations in 2016, the APSAA Excellence Awards recognise members that have excelled in the relevant award category.

APSAA AWARDS

The APSAA Excellence Awards are:

How to nominate

Excellence in Marketing and Communications – Awarded to an individual or institution who introduced or managed a marketing or communication campaign which has achieved notable success or produced quantifiable benefits.

Entries are completed online via the APSAA website. There is an entry page for each award – if nominating for more than one award, you must complete a separate nomination for each award.

Excellence in Facility Development or Management – Awarded to an individual or institution demonstrating innovation in the development of a completed student centric accommodation facility.

Excellence in Student Experience – Awarded to an innovative project or initiative that has positively enhanced the student experience – either in their academic lives or personal wellbeing.

Excellence in Customer Service – Awarded to a project or initiative which has greatly improved or enhanced customer service.

Excellence in Sustainable Development Goals – Awarded to a project or initiative which has demonstrated outstanding achievement and/or innovative efforts to promote action and contribute towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

These awards are presented at the APSAA Conference and are now open for 2020.

This extended time frame enables members to enter the awards in a timely manner.

2019 APSAA Award recipients

So, there’s never been a better time to appraise your people, your programs and your achievements and enter the APSAA Awards.

Overall, there are twenty-one awards including a My Favourite Student Best of Program Award for the top educational program presented at conference plus an APSAA Scholarship.

These awards offers individuals, institutions and industry partners the opportunity to be acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to the industry.

Tips for nominating: • Re-read each question to ensure you are addressing precisely what is being asked • Be clear and concise - ensure your answers are within the word limits • Check spelling and grammar • Reference evidence – you can’t attach these to the online submission, but can provide additional evidence at interview • Before hitting submit, do a final review – have you clearly addressed the criteria and demonstrated what the category seeks to recognise?

Judging process • The awards judging panel is made up of members appointed by the APSAA Board • Finalists are determined by the quality of the written submission – categories will not be awarded if the judges determine the nominee does not meet the criteria • A short list of nominees in each category will be interviewed by the awards judging panel. This interview may be in person or via electronic means • Recipients of awards will be determined on 50% written responses and 50% interview We encourage you to visit the APSAA Awards website, select an appropriate category, complete the award process to begin to share your success stories with your industry peers. 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 official Awards Gala Dinner at the APSAA Conference. http://www.apsaa.org.au/awards/2019-awardsnomination/2019-nomination-information/

APSAA AWARDS KEY DATES

APSAA

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2020

Award nominations open

NOW

Award nominations close

27 March 2020

Finalists notified by email and on APSAA website Award selection interviews Award recipients announced – APSAA Gala Awards dinner

10 April 2020 13-17 April 2020 13 May 2020

Student Accommodation December 2019 21

BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

Abby Chan Regional Manager, Business Development Wee Hur Capital

UniLodge Park Central sets student accommodation standard in Brisbane Home to more than 1300 international and domestic students, UniLodge Park Central offers convenience, comfort and community.

F

ormally opened on 21 March 2019 by the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Cr. Graham Quirk, UniLodge Park Central is the largest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) comprising of 1,578 beds in Australia, developed by fund manager Wee Hur Capital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wee Hur Holdings Ltd, an investment holding company listed on the Singapore Exchange with businesses in property development (local and overseas), construction, worker’s dormitory, PBSA and fund management.

The Lord Mayor of Brisbane officiating the opening of UniLodge Park Central, along with Wee Hur, UniLodge and Intergen senior executives.

22 www.apsaa.org.au

Education is now Australia’s third largest export, with 693,750 international students contributing to the country’s education industry, which generated over $30 billion last year. At the opening address, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said Brisbane’s international student numbers and its impact to the economy has more than doubled in the past 10 years.

The opening of the facility is part of Wee Hur’s strategy to invest $700 million in PBSA in Australia, with sites now secured in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide for 5,000 beds. UniLodge Park Central is the first of a three-stage development for Wee Hur in Brisbane, a $1 billion master planned transit-oriented development in Woolloongabba.

UniLodge Park Central is the first of a three-stage development for Wee Hur in Brisbane, a $1 billion master planned transit-oriented development in Woolloongabba.

The Lord Mayor of Brisbane at the special Meet-and-Greet session with UniLodge Park Central residents

BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

UniLodge Park Central building façade

CONVENIENCE Located adjacent to Buranda Railway Station and Bus Station, the $216 million twin towers have exceptional connectivity to the city centre and key education institutions.

In less than 10 minutes, Brisbane’s Central Business District and South Bank are easily accessible by a short bus ride, as well as several major tertiary institutions including University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University and TAFE Queensland. For those who drive, UniLodge Park Central offers approximately 400 parking lots, and its strategic location at the city-fringe next to a major highway M3 means a short drive to the city.

A grocery store and different dining options are available on the ground floor of the PBSA, with further food and beverage and retail outlets such as Target and Woolworths within walking distance within Buranda Village.

COMFORT At UniLodge Park Central, they are committed to providing quality facilities and a conducive environment for learning and living. Security and safety are also top of mind, with 24/7 CCTV and night time security on site.

UniLodge Park Central comprises a mix of studio apartments and shared four, five and six bedroom apartments, indoor and outdoor communal spaces for students, including

More than just an offshore property owner, Wee Hur is committed to providing value to students by taking up an active management role… with the aim to redefine the perception of student accommodation, they have worked with global design firm Woods Bagot to create a welcoming environment for students. kitchens, games rooms, study room, theatre, music room and BBQ pits. All their facilities feature double-glazed windows that insulate the rooms and common areas from street noise, providing a quiet and peaceful sanctuary for students to study and rest.

spaces to encourage interaction and provide flexibility for a variety of activities.

The generous communal areas encourage residents of different cultural and ethnicity backgrounds to interact with one another, and live a more socially-connected lifestyle.

COMMUNITY

Wee Ping Goh, CEO of Wee Hur Capital, said, “With over 40 nationalities staying with us since we opened in July last year, we have a great mix of local and international students which has grown into an inclusive and vibrant community.”

More than just an offshore property owner, Wee Hur is committed to providing value to students by taking up an active management role. At UniLodge Park Central, student engagement is one of their key priorities to enhance student well-being through the usage of large communal spaces for regular events. With the aim to redefine the perception of student accommodation, they have worked with global design firm Woods Bagot to create a welcoming environment for students, where there are private zones for reflection and retreat, and public zones such as sky gardens and community dining

‘This project presents an opportunity to showcase our proven track record in thoughtful development, creating a quality and holistic living experience for students’ said Wee Ping Goh. At the opening of UniLodge Park Central, they were operating close to full occupancy, a sign of great things to come for the industry.

Student Accommodation December 2019 23

ADVERTORIAL

Star Rez and Deakin University – The Best Possible Student Experience

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eakin Residential Services offers a diverse range of accommodation on four unique campuses; Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront and Warrnambool totalling nearly 2,600 beds. A long term partnership with StarRez has seen Deakin grow over many years as their digitally native students demand the latest in technology solutions. To ensure they can provide the best possible student experience, Deakin has focused on leveraging StarRez PortalX with its responsive design, Deakin Residential Services branding and unique student journeys.

Now with the student application and booking experiences streamlined, Deakin’s recent focus has been on automating more of their other campus services. They can now can provide online appointment bookings for students to schedule their own times with the campus life team, as well as

keep residents up to date with the latest upcoming events and provide a facility to register for them. More importantly staff can view the attendance of these events and track student engagement across all the campuses efforts in one centralised model.

Deakin Residential Services has many challenges that are unique to their individual campuses, which were than streamlined within singular StarRez PortalX processes to improve the student user experience.

For example depending on which campus was initially selected, questions and steps may differ where important demographics such as age, campus location or NRAS eligibility is concerned. StarRez PortalX also provides Deakin Residential Services with the ability to quickly make decisions and apply changes to their PortalX implementation in an agile process.

They can now can provide online appointment bookings for students to schedule their own times with the campus life team, as well as keep residents up to date with the latest upcoming events and provide a facility to register for them.

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F E AT U R E

International Education – the Victorian Government’s role in supporting the sector Georgina McCann Director, International Education Global Victoria

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nternational education in Victoria and Australia more generally is seeing unprecedented growth.

From a government perspective, the sector is now recognised as vital to Victoria’s economic prosperity and as a significant source of employment.

It is Victoria’s largest services sector export, generating $11.8 billion and supporting almost 79,000 local jobs in 2018. Last year around 227,000 international students were living and studying in Victoria, accounting for almost one third (32.1%) of Australia’s onshore international students.

In recognition of the important and growing role of the sector, the Victorian Government released its International Education Sector Strategy in 2016. The strategy was backed by an investment of $31.9 million to support sector growth, identified the key strategic areas to enhance the student experience, support exports and job growth and help deliver quality education services. Key initiatives include:

1. Study Melbourne Student Centre, Hardware Lane, Melbourne.

The Centre provides a safe and welcoming hub for all international students, and offers a comprehensive suite of services, programs and events to connect international students to Victoria’s community and industry – including access to free legal advice, face-to-face case management in languages other than English and professional development programs. In 2018, there were over 9,600 visits to the centre, and staff assisted students with over 2,200 enquiries.

2. International Student Welfare Program.

Since 2014, the Victorian Government has committed $5 million for projects that improve student wellbeing and address topics like workplace exploitation, mental health and safety. To date, the program has supported 104 projects that have engaged over 207,000 international students.

3. The Lead. Intern. Volunteer.

Experience (LIVE) initiative.

Delivered in partnership with the education sector to improve the connections international students have to Victoria’s community and prepare them for their future careers. A key pillar of the LIVE initiative is Live Projects, which help international students gain employability skills and stronger social connectedness.

4. Global Education Service Manager Network.

The Victorian Government has nine education service managers in priority markets around the world who provide on-the-ground support to Victorian education and training institutions. They play a pivotal role in diversifying our source markets and in positioning Victoria as a global partner and destination for education, training and research.

Since the strategy’s release, Melbourne has consistently ranked among the top five student cities in the world and consistently ranked as the best student city in Australia, and the sector continues to see strong growth. This, coupled with changes

to the geopolitical landscape and increases in some markets being offset by flattening in others, has required the sector and government to grapple with questions of capacity and the need to diversify Victoria’s international student cohort.

Government must also reinforce the importance of maintaining the standards of education providers and ascertain whether adequate infrastructure is in place to support international students as a group with distinct vulnerabilities and needs.

While student experience and student satisfaction have always been important quality indicators, their role in driving international student enrolments is growing. Students and their influencers increasingly seek a holistic learning and living experience that goes beyond the classroom.

It is also important that government supports a fair distribution of the benefits of international education across sectors, geographic areas, course types and products. The Commonwealth Government has indicated it plans to play a more proactive role in ensuring the benefits of international education reach regional Australia, and the Victorian Government intends to be a major partner in this work.

As international education in Victoria continues to grow, it is important that government and the sector actively communicate the variety of benefits these students bring to Victoria to ensure ongoing public confidence in the sector, and with it a social licence for continued government investment.

Student Accommodation December 2019 25

ADVERTORIAL

MOVE-IN: “The Boulevard” We were excited to work with the design team at MJA studio to create the FF&E fit out for this fabulous and award winning student accommodation project in sunny Perth! With over 500 beds and amazing social spaces, we put together some fun and functional packages to make sure these students felt at home.

Photography: Dion Robeson

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Veteran Move-in designer, Melissa Molnar, shares her thoughts: Why is furniture specification important in PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation)?

We work to ensure that we achieve the designers’ vision for the project; selecting furniture that is durable, suitable and customized for each space. We curate each of the spatial experiences so the overall impact is coherent, and a place where students want to live sleep, socialize and study.

How does furniture influence a sense of community in common areas?

We try to create flexible and dynamic spaces that can adapt to suit whatever is happening at the time – so that might mean modular elements and things on wheels, or furniture that can be both inside and outside – and of course, everything needs to be indestructible!

Student spaces must be fluid and fun while also creating soft spaces and quiet zones for study.

What was the design process?

We always start with the designers’ interior concept and go from there – in this case, the springboard was bold black and white with splashes of bright yellow – like hazard tape.

We developed the furniture layouts with circulation in mind, and selected pieces that worked together and also met the overall budget and brief. FF&E is like a giant jigsaw puzzle where design, cost and function all come together.

What does Move-in add and what makes it different?

At Move-in we offer more than just furniture layouts and design – we do all of the scheduling, pricing and visual layouts as well as the procurement and manufacture for all the furniture and styling elements. We also manage the full delivery and installation, including styling, project management and hand over – it is a one stop shop. So while the initial focus is on the design outcome, we offer a complete and seamless turn-key service for our clients.

That’s what makes my job so exciting!

ADVERTORIAL

We curate each of the spatial experiences so the overall impact is coherent, and a place where students want to live, sleep, socialize and study.

Student Accommodation December 2019  27

F E AT U R E I N D U S T R Y I S S U E : F A L S E F I R E A L A R M S

False Fire Alarm charges

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ystems and equipment for detecting fires and alerting occupants and other stakeholders (including firefighters) are based on highly mature and regulated technologies. On the whole, those systems work very efficiently and effectively, provided that they are competently installed and maintained.

Detection and warning systems that operate on a ‘hair trigger’ present a number of problems. The first, of course, is that occupants very quickly become complacent as they develop a kind of ‘evacuation fatigue’, responding more and more slowly (or not responding at all) with each successive unwanted alarm.

With modern construction and furnishing materials dramatically reducing the escape time available to occupants, the resulting danger of occupants being injured or killed because they respond too slowly is very real.

APSAA’s Industry Advancement Committee has been working with members to understand the range of charges and causes as related to False Fire Alarm call outs. This is a high cost issue whether you are a PBSA, college or university accommodation provider with some members having to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in charges annually.

Whether your site is a single story or multilevel, individual or multi-share dorm style building, the issues are the same and the costs can be eye-watering.

Members have met all building and fire safety codes and while the thermal and/or smoke detectors are hardwired (some have a minor delay) and provide instant alarm notification to our fire services – it seems there is little room for negotiation on these set fees and charges.

While members provide clear information about the consequences of a false fire alarm callout in resident handbooks, recovery of fees and charges can be difficult from students. However, it is a relief to learn that there have been only three major incidents in a twenty year period compared to the hundreds of false fire alarm callouts in any one year.

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While we understand it is about educating the student residents – we have sourced expert commentary from an experienced Fire Safety provider from FES. So, what can you do prevent the call outs in the first place?

This article provides some insight on how to manage the issue.

If you’ve got an industry issue that the IAC could help with, contact: idm@apsaa.org.au

New Zealand In July 2017, the New Zealand Government replaced the existing Fire Service with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, to deliver fire and emergency services across the country. The re-organization brought together volunteer and paid, urban and rural firefighters, to deliver a comprehensive national emergency service.

This brought about funding changes with powers to recover costs of false alarms and rural fires removed as it was decided a broader levy should fund it. The levy is paid on insurance for contents, property and motor vehicles, to reflect the broader non-fire emergency work done by firefighters. The Government brought in a new offence and penalty regime designed to criminalize risky fire behavior, but as the new organization was funded out of insurance increases, recovery costs would no longer be charged.

The second and related problem is that the nuisance of unwanted alarms can motivate occupants to find a range of ingenious ways to compromise the detection devices.

Many of us have removed rubber gloves and shower caps from smoke detectors in hotel rooms and apartments and there are a number of properties where the managing agent has learned how to isolate whole groups of detectors during the breakfast and shower – steam and burnt toast hours.

Worse than slow or no response, those measures prevent occupants from being warned at all and mean there will be no responding fire service to save the day – potentiating a completely preventable tragedy.

In addition to those problems, there is of course the cost to buildings associated with business disruption, charges for fire brigade attendance and fines for having unreliable systems (in some jurisdictions). Finally, there is the danger to firefighters and the public associated with traffic accidents triggered by the emergency response vehicles.

So what is the solution? Simply desensitizing the systems is not an option.

The key to avoiding unwanted alarms lies in considering the interaction between all aspects of the environment within which fires are likely to occur and controlling (and

INDUSTRY ISSUE

eliminating if practicable) the sources of unwanted alarm activations. It is important to note that this is by definition a holistic approach, involving specifiers, suppliers, designers and installers of not just the fire alarm system but also the cooking appliances, heating ventilation and airconditioning systems, and the building membranes themselves (including ceiling heights as well as windows and doors).

At the planning stage and even during the life of an accommodation building, there are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of unwanted alarms: Find ways to unavoidably remove the steam or fumes before they can concentrate in the detector.

One established technique is to interlock fully extractive (not just recycling) kitchen ventilation hoods with fixed cooking appliances so that it is not possible to

use a cooktop, oven or microwave (which would have to be hard wired) without a high flow extraction fan in operation.

Of course, that will not capture portable, plugin appliances like toasters, sandwich makers and electric woks. For those appliances, for a small additional cost of the property providing the appliances to occupants, they can be fitted with a unique, non-standard power plug, the receptacle for which is located under the extraction hood and the switch for which is also interlocked with the hood, so that whenever the socket is powered the hood is running.

In relation to bathroom fumes (like shower ‘steam’ and aerosols), the opportunity is to interlock the bathroom lights (and even a sensor on the door) with the bathroom extraction fan.

Less obvious measures to be considered at design stage are the locations and

juxtaposition of ventilation supply and return openings and openable doors and windows with regard to cooking appliances, ‘steam’ sources and detection.

Of course, as alluded to above, there are a number of technical design measures available to the designer and installer of the detection system to reduce propensity for unwanted alarms.

The old adage that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ applies here. The best combination of detection and warning system when building in kitchen and bathroom features are ones that are essentially invisible to occupants as they go about their daily lives – until it is needed to save their lives.

Thanks to Laura Roberts, UniLodge NZ for providing NZ content.

University of Tasmania, Melville Street Student Accommodation, TAS Integrating with the city

nettletontribe.com.au

Sydney | Brisbane | Melbourne | Canberra | Perth

Student Accommodation December 2019 29

ADVERTORIAL

Anita van Rooyen Chief Confidence Hacker

Before Australia’s 250,000 students struggling with mental ill-health sit their first exam, we’ve already failed them.

For anyone who’s been at the pointy end of dealing with students’ poor mental health, there is new hope for better outcomes, for everyone.

“Students at the highest risk of mental ill-health [international, regional and remote students] are also the same ones that student accommodation is designed for,” human behaviour expert, coach and Confidence Hackers founder Anita van Rooyen said.

“Astute businesses see the commercial benefits of putting energy into retaining as well as recruiting students. Happy, well-adjusted residents create better word of mouth sales and power strong staff retention.”

Anita van Rooyen, Chief Confidence Hacker

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Research consistently shows poor mental health outcomes going hand in hand with significant life transitions – including moving away from parents and known support networks, and into more independent living.

“Mental well-being for the high risk groups that we serve must become embedded into the very DNA of student accommodation,” Ms van Rooyen said.

“No-one gets a six-pack by going to the gym once… it’s the same for learning how to make better mental wellbeing decisions.”

“And that means supporting everyone in the chain ‒ residents, RAs and all front line staff.”

It is estimated between 160- and 210,000 students annually withdraw from their studies due to poor mental health, forcing them to leave their accommodation too.

Realising issues are more easily managed early than at crisis point, Ms van Rooyen established Confidence Hackers with the sole purpose of helping young people make better decisions for themselves; something she says makes sound financial sense too.

Evictions are costly. One student resident was understood to have been fully refunded their bond and provided a week’s paid hotel accommodation, following several police visits. Staff members were also granted paid leave, due to stress from the incident.

“As accommodation providers, there is a responsibility for more than just putting a roof over a head… there is an obligation to provide a safe environment, where students and staff can thrive, and that means doing more than providing token ‘stress less’ gestures like handing out cupcakes once a year or calling in a petting zoo.”

Ms van Rooyen said.

ADVERTORIAL

“Stress, loneliness, anxiety and pressure combined with a lack of coping skills or strategies always leads to poor outcomes.”

Ms van Rooyen says.

“It was a huge help.”

Victory, UniLodge Curtin Resident and Residential Advisor

“Waiting and wishing and hoping for different results without doing anything different is the true definition of insanity!”

Confidence Hackers provides a range of practical services to create wraparound care, including 12 different workshops run both in-house and via innovative Facebook ‘Live’ delivery, professional one-on-one and residential life coaching, RA and staff training and unique products such as Mindset Magic card decks and Positive Postcards.

“Many properties are using the Mindset Magic cards in their welcome packs, and inviting us to be involved in their activities from orientation through to exams,” Ms van Rooyen said.

Although Confidence Hackers provide ways of improving mental well-being, they don’t use ‘the M[ental] word’ with students, due to the stigma and fear it creates.

“[Confidence Hackers] customised the workshop to our residents and made it fast and easy to organise.”

Instead they cover topics like ‘Creating Healthy Relationships’, ‘Stress Less Achieve More’, ‘Networking For Success’ (making friends to reduce loneliness) and ‘You Stink! and Other Difficult Conversations’ for RAs and staff.

“By sharing practical, useful tools, we are reducing the likelihood of problems further down the track. Prevention really is better than cure.”

“Aside from knowing that all of the Confidence Hackers team are professional human behaviour experts, the best thing about Confidence Hackers is hearing what other people say about our work...” Ms van Rooyen said.

Confidence Hackers operates Australia-wide. www.confidencehackers.com anita@confidencehackers.com

Tayla Brooks, Residential Life Duty Manager, Student Village Melbourne

“[The] content is presented in a fun and engaging manner, whilst also creating a safe space for students to share their experiences.”

Rachel Olsen, Student Life Director, Journal Student Living

The new benchmark...

Former teacher and UniLodge Curtin Residential Life Manager Luke Reilly knows the benefits of empowering students to make better decisions for themselves. Luke’s semester-long weekly mental well-being program, run by Confidence Hackers, has quickly become the new benchmark of outstanding student mental wellbeing support.

Residents gained practical tools to: • make friends and beat loneliness • set, plan and achieve goals • overcome procrastination • create new success strategies • balance study, work, life & more • make confident decisions easily • manage stress and anxiety • create better study habits Some of the 30 Mindset Magic cards

Student Accommodation December 2019 31

A TDUADYEINNT MEYX PT EE RA IME N C E S

ResFlix – A Phoney Film Festival Edwina Ellicott Senior Manager, Occupancy and Communications Accommodation Services University of Wollongong

UOW hosts film festival to curb drinking culture at UOW Residences

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think we can all agree that none of us want to see binge drinking and other unhealthy drinking habits taking place in our student residences. Unfortunately, that is often what occurs and we see far too many critical incidents where alcohol has been a significant contributor to often very disastrous outcomes.

At UOW we take the safety and wellbeing of students very seriously, and we felt that the safe drinking messages that we were providing through various channels and training modules were just not cutting through. So, how to do this better? How could we provide a more relevant and engaging message? Well, who better to ask than our residents, for some bright ideas?

Below: All of the entrants

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ResFlix was born out of one resident’s idea to encourage a safer drinking culture and to generate a peer to peer conversation that’s more relatable than some of the “official” messaging.

The inaugural ResFlix – A Phoney Film Festival, was organised by UOW’s Accommodation Services in conjunction with UOW’s Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC).

It was held on campus in UOW’s UniHall to raise awareness about safer drinking practices among students living on campus.

The festival was open exclusively to UOW students in residence, and the finalist screening featured 12 films shot on smartphones (PHONEY – Get it?!) or tablets under two minutes in length. Each film addressed

the theme Dial It Back (Dial Back Your Drinking). Prizes included a Best Film Award, A Runner Up and a People’s Choice Award.

Initially unsure about how much engagement we would have from students in regards to entries and attendance, we were absolutely thrilled with the outcome. A robust communications campaign was implemented to generate awareness and participation. In phase one, this was aimed at encouraging students from each residence to submit a film.

Phase two was actioned after the film submission deadline and was all about encouraging residents to come along to a movie night and support their peers, while enjoying a free BBQ, popcorn, ice-cream and a chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

S T U D E N T E X P E R INE ENW CS E

Our judging panel included industry stalwarts Andy Gourley from Red Frogs and Ash Gurney from Alcohol and Drug Education specialists with UOW’s WUSA women’s representative and member of the SARC Working Party, Isabelle Jones and UOW’s corporate marketing and communications manager Cathy Cameron.

Films were judged on the follow criteria: 1. Quality of acting;

L-R: Ashley Gurney-ADES, Andy Gourley- Red Frogs, Isabelle Jones and Cathy Cameron-UoW.

2. Quality of cinematography;

All of the judges commented on the quality of the submissions and the effort from everyone was commended.

With entries from all of our residences, this was a fantastic outcome.

The evening attracted close to 300 students and invited staff and showcased the creativity and sense of community that exists in our student residences, while delivering an important message around creating safer drinking practices.

With the local Red Frogs crew on hand to cook pancakes and hand out Red Frogs, it was a fun and entertaining evening.

Equally pleasing was the cut through of the message that we were intending to deliver. So many students were engaging with the topic, and seriously considering the impact of heavy drinking on their health and wellbeing. In a post event survey, 95 per cent of attendees said they felt the event was effective in generating a conversation about safe drinking practices.

And the winner ... Congratulations to Kooloobong Village’s James Sutherland for “Party, sleep, uni, repeat”, a film that portrays the negative consequences of excessive drinking on a student’s experience at university. “It presents to the audience how poor decisions are affecting a student’s attentiveness in class, and their grades,” said Mr Sutherland.

3. Quality of story; 4. Quality of messaging around safe drinking practices.

Mr Sutherland said the competition had likely attracted so many entries because the theme resonated with students.

“Personally I felt like I could make a connection to it,” he said. “We’ve all just moved out of home, we’re young adults making decisions without the input of others.” Mr Sutherland said the film festival had created awareness about the issue; there were a number of conversations about drinking among his peers at Kooloobong while they were creating the film.

Red Frogs and Alcohol and Drug Education Specialists also supported the event. Do you have a successful student resident focused program? Nominate for an APSAA Award and be recognised by your industry peers.

Visit the APSAA website for more information.

L-R: Runner Up; Swapnil Bhatnagar for ‘It’s Time to Dial It Back’, Winner; James Sutherland for ‘Party Sleep Uni Repeat’ and People’s Choice; Maria Ortez.

Student Accommodation December 2019 33

M A N A G E M E N T, O P E R AT I O N S & F I N A N C E

Introductions to KPIs: How to measure your PBSA team Wee Ping Goh CEO, Wee Hur Capital Pty Ltd

In the past 5 to 10 years, there has been a flurry of investment activity into Australia, creating an institutional asset class we know today as Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).

PBSAs are no different from hotels or serviced apartments – they are all income generating assets that require active management. On top of that, they are almost always owned by a single owner.

Most, if not all, of the early investors were optimistic in proving the financial feasibility of this asset class.

Therefore, we have become experts in understanding the drivers of revenue and levers of cost optimisation.

As this asset class approaches maturity, we need to start looking beyond financials in order to stay ahead of the

competition. There needs to be a desire to understand more about the holistic performance of the asset other than the financials.

KPI’s, or key performance indicators, are a set of metrics which can be measured and gives the highest level of management a good sense about the health of the operations and progress towards its greater goals. KPI’s need to comprise both financial and non-financial metrics and are very useful to align the entire organisation towards its ultimate goals.

We can use a SMARTE system to approach KPI’s: • Objective needs to be Specific, • Progress towards objective/goal needs to be Measured, • Goal is Attainable, • Goal needs to be Relevant to the organisation, • Timeframe to achieve the goal is to be understood, • Constantly Evaluate the KPIs. Assuming I am the CEO of an operator, I may set the following objectives: (1) Optimising financial performance, (2) Customer service exceeds expectations, (3) Create a dynamic community led by students for students.

The first step is to understand the ownership of the objectives at the head office level.

For example, you may take ownership of Objective 1, while the Chief Operations Officer will take ownership of Objective 2, and Chief Resident Life Officer will take ownership of Objective 3. Then, multiple brainstorming sessions will be required to curate metrics that will allow us to measure and understand consistent performance and progress against the objectives.

As this asset class approaches maturity, we need to start looking beyond financials in order to stay ahead of the competition.

There needs to be a desire to understand more about the holistic performance of the asset other than the financials.

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M A N A G E M E N T, O P E R AT I O N S & F I N A N C E

An effective KPI should have the majority of these elements: • • • • • • • • •

Example: Optimising Financial Performance

Link to strategy Definition and calculation Purpose Source, assumptions and limitations Future targets Trend data Segmental Changes in KPIs Benchmarking

These KPI’s are very specific to the property team and will form a huge part of performance evaluation of every individual property staff member.

A good suggestion for newer operators in the market is to get the managers of the property to be involved in the KPI setting process, as they are ultimately the ones driving the execution.

Example: Exceeding expectations for CS

Thinking about KPI’s is also useful to understand if there are appropriate standard operating procedures (SOPs), training and systems in place to enable the team to achieve those KPIs. For example, we may set a KPI target of “not more than 30 minutes per student for check ins”. In order to achieve this KPI, the SOP needs to be robust and begs the following questions: • Is there a ticketing system?

• Are there enough resources to handle the volume?

• What happens during weekends?

• How will the staff be trained?

• What does the minute by minute check in journey look like?

• What measures are there in place to save more time?

• Who makes the decision during the weekends, e.g. room change requests?

• What happens for afterhours check ins?

• Is there free WIFI provided in case students need to retrieve important information?

• How does this SOP link to pre-arrival room checks SOP?

It pays to investigate every facet of operations to generate meaningful KPIs. For example, a commonly missed item is tracking handyman efficiency. We have to develop internal systems to be able to track exactly how many jobs they are handling every day, how long they take to complete each job etc. because efficiency links to financial performance. This is very common in motorcar workshops where each technician is benchmarked against their efficiency.

first step, a lot of determination is required to ensure ownership, setting up the right SOPs, training and systems in place to achieve the KPIs and constantly reviewing them to ensure relevance. It would also be wise to look for global technological solutions to enable better measurement. Setting KPIs and seeing them through is by no means a small task – but it’s better late than ever!

In summary, KPI setting needs to come from the highest level of management but supported and understood by the every employee and (if possible) contractor. While setting KPIs is only a Student Accommodation December 2019 35

ADVERTORIAL

Dean Turner CEO, enrich360

enrich360 Food. Farm. Future L aunched in late 2017, enrich360’s program uses a dehydrator to condense food waste into recycled water and biomass that can be utilised as fertiliser or as part of compost. The model is established on a closed loop system where foodservice businesses across the country convert their food waste into nutrient rich organic fertiliser to give back to farmers and grow better, more nutritious produce. The benefits lead to more resources being recovered while replenishing globally scarce nutrients and improving Australia’s low food waste recovery rate. The process works to reduce the volume of food waste by up to 93 per cent and create a sterile and pathogen-free material. In a closed loop reverse logistics process, logistics partner In2food picks up the materials during their usual drop-off route and delivers them to farms.

Enrich360 dehydration equipment can process most food waste and therefore eliminate most of a business’s food waste to landfill.

36 www.apsaa.org.au

There is a solution for commercial kitchens of all sizes: Sustainability program, enrich360 provides student residences, including Queens College and St Hilda’s College at the University of Melbourne, with dehydration equipment, which reduces the volume of the waste by up to 93 per cent and therefore saves storage space and collections. The resulting biomass is then collected and used as slow release fertiliser for farms that grow food, facilitating a closed loop system.

(Some of the fertiliser is also used to replace chemical fertiliser used on the halls’ grounds.)

“Enrich360 dehydration equipment can process most food waste and therefore eliminate most of a business’s food waste to landfill.” Dean Turner enrich360 CEO says, “Food waste in not inherently more difficult to deal with than other recyclable waste streams, it’s more an issue of people not understanding it – it’s just about accepting there is a different and better way of doing things”.

The enrich360 dehydrator system, turbo charges the food waste decomposition process through accelerated dehydration and agitation, reducing the original waste volume by between 80 and 93%. Food waste (everything goes in; meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, coffee grinds, flower displays) is placed inside the food dehydrator where it goes through a fully automatic process of dehydration, sterilisation and volume reduction. No additives are required – no water, no sawdust, no enzymes. The equipment requires only the input of electrical power for motors and heat energy.

The product from this system will be utilised as a directly-applied fertiliser, a pelletised fertiliser or as a compost enhancer. Instead of the greenhouse gases and leachate that would be generated in landfill, the food waste treated is being converted into a fantastic, sustainable resource. enrich360® fertilser and compost helps reduce soil degradation and helps grow better more nutritious produce. The enrich360® dehydration process also creates reusable water of around 75 liters per 100kg of food waste which can be captured for re-use.

ADVERTORIAL

Interest in the program has really ramped up in recent months as a result of the recycling crisis, climate strikes and the recent Climate Change protests, businesses of all types are realising that putting food waste in landfill is not an acceptable long-term strategy.

Enrich360 CEO Dean Turner relays a story from one University College in Melbourne who reduced their landfill bins by 50% when they installed the enrich360 unit and has since reduced their collection frequency by 50% as well.

Interest in the program has really ramped up in recent months as a result of the recycling crisis, climate strikes and the recent Climate Change protests, businesses of all types are realising that putting food waste in landfill is not an acceptable long-term strategy. Every year, Australians send over 5 million tonnes of food waste to landfill and when food goes into landfill, the environment suffers because of the carbon in food. Carbon in food is found in different kinds of molecules like carbohydrates, proteins and fats. When the carbon in your food goes to landfill, micro-organisms break them down. This decomposition process produces methane gas – every tonne of food waste you send to landfill creates 2.8 tonnes of methane gas.

Methane gas is bad for the climate as it traps significantly more heat than carbon dioxide, and damages our ozone layer, causing climate change. Getting involved with the enrich360® Program is a great way to deliver a practical climate change mitigation solution to your students and staff and creates great Public Relations opportunities for your facility; associated educational institution and your various stakeholders. enrich360® food waste dehydrators come in a variety of weight capacities from 22kg per day up to 1.1 tonne per day. The units are constructed by a world leader in this technology and feature stainless steel body and exterior for easy cleaning. They are simple to use, compact (from under a meter footprint) and efficient. enrich360® offer purchase, rent and rent-to-own options, along with generous government subsidies in some

states, and enrich360’s reuse model reflects industry recommendations, that hotels, restaurants and other large food service establishments consider the installation of industrial on-site food processors. enrich360® will arrange delivery to your premises, provide professional installation and they include ongoing planned maintenance program, including parts (subject to appropriate use conditions). Full parts supply is held at their Melbourne Service Centre. enrich360® can be contacted on info@enrich360.com.au and their website is www.enrich360.com.au

Getting involved with the enrich360® Program is a great way to deliver a practical climate change mitigation solution to your students and staff and creates great Public Relations opportunities for your facility; associated educational institution and your various stakeholders.

Student Accommodation December 2019 37

A DAY IN MY TEAM

A DAY IN MY TEAM Team: Whitaker Hall Location: University of Auckland Who: Angie Bell Title: Area Administrator Years: 5 years Education: School Certificate, University Entrance, Trade Certificate, First Aid Certificate

Why did you choose to work in student accommodation and what do you love about the role/industry?

experience they have in the halls is fun and new. Their enthusiasm is infectious.

When I first applied for my role as an Area Administrator, I wasn’t really aware of how much time I would spend with the students.

I didn’t think my role would be as front facing as it is. However, this aspect of my role is probably one of the most enjoyable aspects of my job. I work with first year students, they are vibrant, friendly, inclusive and fun.

When I interviewed for the position I thought it would be more like property management. When the Area Manager who interviewed me, asked if I had a question, I said “yes, I’ve been watching Renters, what do you do if you get a really dirty flat”, quick as wit he said “you charge them a cleaning fee”. We both laughed. I knew then that this was my kind of team.

Working with young people keeps you young.

They are on the cusp of their adult life, the hall experience is exciting as generally it is their first time away from home. Every

If you do what you love, you never work a day in your life. No day is ever the same, working with people is interesting, challenging, fun and fulfilling.

Have you worked at other institutions/ facilities, and if so where? If not, what sector/industry have you come from and how does it differ to student accommodation? How do your skills/experience fit with student accommodation?

The hardest part of working in my role is when a student is struggling with a mental health issue or depression. We get to know the students throughout their time with us and seeing someone you know and care about struggle like this, is incredibly difficult.

It’s part of my job to maintain a professional distance as my role is not to be a counsellor or parent, it is still difficult when you know they are struggling.

Thankfully, we have excellent pastoral care staff who can help bridge the gap between Health and Counselling and the student.

We have a really open working relationship in our team and if anyone feels that a student is acting differently or that the student might be at risk, we discuss it immediately and the Resident Manager (pastoral care) will reach out to the student.

I have also recently attended a course with St John (Mental Health First Aid), the course helps highlight some key identifiers for ‘at risk’ students and also some basics with dealing with students in this situation. Well worth attending.

L-R: Angie with a graduating student and Area Manager Jacob Waitere.

38 www.apsaa.org.au

A DAY IN MY TEAM

What is the best advice for people wanting to work in a role like yours?

I would say a genuine interest in others, dedication, professionalism and positivity are essential traits in my role. Students are early adopters, they are tech savvy and very socially aware but sometimes they struggle to communicate their requirements effectively so patience and good listening skills are a huge bonus. Be a good record keeper, be proactive and be prepared to work hard and plan ahead, we are constantly working towards a future goal. Good administrative skills are needed and being able to adapt to change and learn new skills. Be open minded, growing your skillset makes you more employable so keep trying and you will find a rewarding career awaits.

Students

If you could highlight one factor that is essential for maintaining a happy residence, what would it be?

Positivity! In any role being positive makes the job more enjoyable. Being genuinely happy is infectious, it can take someone who is having a tough day out of that moment, it gives them a moment of relief.

People are naturally drawn to positivity, it’s a feel-good factor that can make a big difference to any experience. Jump into every opportunity, project or dare I say it “chore” with enthusiasm, allow yourself to learn something new and share it with a smile.

Students have a lot on their shoulders.

Sometimes they are lucky and the fees are paid by scholarship or their family but for a lot of students they are trying to work as well as study and some days can be a trial. They carry a lot of stress which most adults would find a burden, so having to deal with an unwelcoming presence on the front desk shouldn’t be one of them.

Encouraging that positive outlook is easy and fun. Be the person who makes someone smile, the students will respond to it.

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Student Accommodation December 2019 39

A DAY IN MY TEAM

Connect.

Learn.

Share.

Think.

A DAY IN MY TEAM

Team: Whitaker Hall Location: University of Auckland Who: Johnny Nu’u Title: Resident Manager Years: 2 ½ years (approx) Education: LLB – University of Otago GradDip Marketing

Why did you choose to work in student accommodation and what do you love about the role/industry?

I chose to work in student accommodation having reflected on my undergraduate years as a resident adviser. It left an indelible mark on me as a person and gifted me some amazing experiences.

After a few years in law, the opportunity arose for me to make a return to student accommodation. I have had no regrets since returning and have loved every minute of it!

What I love and enjoy about student accommodation is watching young people become better versions of themselves. Helping support and encourage students to succeed is something special that I will continue to do with energy and excellence. Along this journey I love that my team has the same desire and passion for student accommodation as I do!

It really makes for a fun workplace!

As you can imagine, the legal fraternity is a very regimented and ordered place.

Despite how that may sound I can tell you that the differences are few and far between with student accommodation.

My legal skills have paid huge dividends in my current role, from having challenging conversations with students through to enforcing rules and regulations.

Ensuring our residential experience is of high quality is no different from representing clients in court, you have to put your best foot forward to ensure you have the best outcome for, in this case, our student experience.

What are the most challenging facets of your role?

Have you worked at other institutions/ facilities, and if so where? If not, what sector/ industry have you come from and how does it differ to student accommodation? How do your skills/experience fit with student.

One of the most challenging facets of the role is ensuring that we meet all the needs of our students where and when we can.

As a team, we work hard to do this. Often this comes at a cost of another student’s needs. Despite such a challenge, equally as satisfying is watching students really giving things a go despite being outside their comfort zone.

AS I mentioned I was a resident adviser as an undergraduate while attending the University of Otago.

Watching a student really let their hair down after such a high intensity of studying is both rewarding and refreshing.

Following graduation I returned home to Auckland to practice law for a charitable organisation. I practiced for almost four years before returning to student accommodation at the University of Auckland.

Where we don’t meet other student’s needs, the support and encouragement within our team drives us to keep going. That is also what keeps the role and the industry so varied and exciting!

40 www.apsaa.org.au

What is the best advice for people wanting to work in a role like yours?

Don’t be afraid to give things a go and back your own ability. The industry is so diverse and exciting that there is always room to grow and leave your mark on it. If you think you’re background and personal experiences don’t count, think again! You will be amazed at how your own experiences will prove useful in student accommodation.

If you could highlight one factor that is essential for maintaining a happy residence, what would it be?

One factor that is essential to maintaining a happy residence is as simple as having fun.

It is very easy to get bogged down in the nitty gritty of what needs to be done, reaching targets and KPIs and so forth. Often when we concentrate on these things it leads to unnecessary stress and worry.

But reminding ourselves of how fun it is to work in this industry and how fun it is to see our students have a really good time, it should yield a more positive outlook and a happier residence!

Global 2020 July 12-14

San Diego, California

It is important that having fun with what we are doing will always make everyone feel better. Especially our students!

StarRez Connect APAC September 2020 – Date TBA

2020 StarRez APSAA Conference Adelaide Convention Centre

11–14 May 2020

Join us for the 2020 StarRez APSAA Conference, 11 – 14 May and get ready for another unmissable event as we head to Adelaide.

The Conference program will be built around the theme 2020 Our time to reflect, unite and ignite and promises to continue building on the success of our previous Conferences, delivering a wide-ranging program that will have relevance across the diversity of roles within the student accommodation industry.

KEY DATES Registrations are now open: Early bird prices are available until Thursday 26 March 2020.

Institution and Corporate Members are now entitled to receive their complimentary registration(s) to the Conference, which must be nominated no later than Thursday 26 March 2020.

Perhaps you have some PD funds remaining in your 2019 budget?

Now is a great time to register to secure your spot at the Conference, and have your registration paid from your 2019 budget!

If you would like to register now, but are unsure of which staff member(s) will be attending, contact the Conference Manager and we will arrange an invoice for you. Simply provide us with the names of staff once confirmed in 2020. Deadline for requesting invoices is Monday 16 December, email conference@apsaa.org.au.

Call for presentations: Submissions for proposals to present are now open to members.

Presenting at the Conference is a great opportunity and is an ideal forum to receive feedback on an issue that has significance for your role within the industry. Submissions are due no later than 5.00pm on Thursday 30 January 2020.

Start planning your presentation now!

Don’t delay, start planning today!

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • Lt Gen David Morrison AO, Australia’s former Chief of Army and Australian of the Year 2016. Committed to making the Army an inclusive force, with a strong stance on gender equality, he is famous for saying, “If that does not suit you, then get out!” His experience in leading a workforce of over 30,000 and driving significant change make him a leader well worth listening too.

• Dr Huu Kim Le, Adelaide based Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, specialising in video game addiction or “gaming disorder” presents ‘Escape into the Virtual World - Student Wellbeing and Video Game Addiction.’

• Dr Louise Mahler, an expert in the psychology of face-to-face engagement, her research is award-winning and her informed hands-on approach lends itself to transformational change.

• Panel Discussion: Innovations in Indigenous student support – what works, what doesn’t?

• Pre-Conference Multi Day Study Tour: Starting in Perth on Wednesday 6 May, the study tour will take participants on a journey to student accommodation facilities in Perth and Adelaide, with some sightseeing along the way.

• Pre-Conference Day Trip: For those who can’t join the full study tour, but still want to get in on some of the action, why not join us on Sunday 10 May for our day trip to the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Hahndorf.

• Pre-Conference One Day Study Tour: On Monday 11 May, the One Day Study Tour will feature two streams. One focusing on Student Experience and Wellbeing and the other on Facilities and Development, offering participants a more tailored experience.

www.apsaa.org.au/conference

Student Accommodation December 2019 Phone: +61 3 9586 6055 Email: admin@apsaa.org.au apsaa.org.au