Australia’s largest provider of purpose-built student accommodation is preparing to welcome its biggest intake yet, underscoring the sustained strength of demand across the higher education sector.
Scape Australia, part of The Living Company, has confirmed it will receive 10,500 new students for Semester One across its national portfolio. The milestone marks the largest single semester intake in the company’s history.
Nationally, Scape’s portfolio of approximately 20,000 student apartments is expected to reach full occupancy, with significant waitlists reported across multiple markets. Brisbane and Sydney in particular have recorded consecutive years of exceptionally high occupancy, reflecting ongoing pressure in Australia’s key education hubs.
Demand rebounds beyond pre pandemic levels
After a sharp downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for student accommodation has rebounded strongly. Growth in both domestic and international enrolments is once again driving performance across the country’s major university cities.
As Australia’s largest owner operator of purpose-built student accommodation, Scape plays a central role in the broader housing and education ecosystem. By delivering accommodation specifically designed for students, and operating in partnership with universities and education providers, the company removes thousands of tenants from the private rental market each year.
With its 20,000 beds operating at capacity, the company argues it is contributing directly to housing supply outcomes aligned with government objectives, while supporting continued growth in international and domestic education.
“Students are increasingly looking for certainty, safety and community,” said Anouk Darling, CEO of Scape Australia. “Purpose built student accommodation provides a stable and supportive environment at a time when the private rental market is highly competitive and unpredictable.”
“Our scale means we’re doing our part for the sector. We’re underpinning Australia’s education economy while easing pressure on residential rental markets.”
Technology driven growth and booking velocity
Scape attributes its strong leasing cycle to continued investment in demand generation, technology, operations and people. The latest intake has been supported by what the company describes as unprecedented booking velocity, including widespread adoption of streamlined no touch booking pathways and automated lease management systems.
“By removing friction through no touch bookings and automated lease management, we free our teams to focus on the human moments that matter: helping students feel welcomed, supported and connected from day one,” said Craig Carracher, Founder and Joint CEO of The Living Company.
The company says this operational capability, combined with experienced on site teams across multiple geographies, has helped deliver resilience and consistency across all major markets.
A growing role in Australia’s housing mix
The scale of Scape’s operations highlights the increasingly important role of purpose built student accommodation in Australia’s housing system. With vacancy rates in many capital cities remaining tight, PBSA developments are positioned as a way to support international and domestic education growth without adding further pressure to the general rental pool.
Scape’s properties offer fully furnished rooms with utilities and WiFi included, alongside shared study and social spaces, curated events and dedicated on site teams aimed at fostering connection and wellbeing.
As Semester One approaches and its portfolio reaches full occupancy, the record intake reinforces the central role student accommodation providers now play, not only in supporting academic success and student experience, but also in shaping the economics of Australia’s education sector and the balance of its housing market.
