The Koala has been following International student housing for some time now, and most recently, data showed the pipeline beds in Perth growing. These are now coming to fruition in the market.
The official opening of Yugo Perth University Campus this week represents much more than another property development. It is another piece of critical education infrastructure that strengthens Western Australia’s ability to compete for international students in an increasingly competitive global market.
The new purpose-built student accommodation development at Waterford officially opened yesterday, delivering 540 student beds as Stage One of a $200 million project developed by Exal Group and operated by global student housing provider Yugo.
Once Stage Two is completed next year, the precinct will provide accommodation for 916 students across three towers, making it one of Perth’s largest dedicated student accommodation developments.
Situated adjacent to Curtin University and Canning College, the development offers a broad range of accommodation options, from single rooms and studios to ensuite co-living and multi-bedroom apartments. Students will also have access to an extensive range of facilities including rooftop gardens, study halls, a gymnasium, basketball half court, theatre, games room and communal spaces designed to encourage both academic success and social connection.
The third and final tower will add retail tenancies, a café, food court, restaurant, convenience store and educational support facilities, creating what is intended to become a genuine student precinct rather than simply another residential building.
For Australia’s international education sector, that matters.
Accommodation has become one of the defining issues influencing where students choose to study. Families are increasingly looking beyond university rankings to ask a far more practical question. Where will their son or daughter live?
Developments such as Yugo in Perth provide an important part of that answer.
Exal Group Managing Director Dr Bay Yeo said the project had been designed around the needs of modern students rather than simply providing somewhere to sleep.
“Students need more than simply a place to stay. They need an environment where they can feel safe, connected and supported while pursuing their education. Yugo Perth University Campus has been designed to provide exactly that—a vibrant, community-focused place for students to call home.
“This project demonstrates what can be achieved when government, universities and the private sector work together towards a common objective.”
That partnership model is becoming increasingly important as governments seek to grow international education while responding to concerns around housing availability. New accommodation cannot be delivered by universities or governments alone. It requires significant private sector investment, supported by planning certainty and collaboration across the education sector.
Yugo Global Chief Operating Officer Joe Persechino believes the new development helps address a longstanding gap in Perth’s accommodation market.
“Student accommodation has been sadly lacking in Perth, and having a state-of-the-art home for so many students, this close to important education institutions, will ensure many families around the world will rest easier when their children take up residence here.”
He said the development’s design, including its outdoor spaces and extensive communal facilities, was intended to help students feel relaxed, connected and supported throughout their educational journey.
Study Perth Chief Executive Officer Ms Derryn Belford said purpose-built accommodation had become an increasingly important consideration for international students when selecting a study destination.
“High-quality student accommodation is an important factor in a student’s decision about where to study. The addition of Yugo Perth University Campus gives international students more choice in the style of accommodation that best suits their needs and budget, while further strengthening Perth’s reputation as a welcoming, student-friendly destination.”
Her comments reflect a broader trend emerging across Australia’s education sector. Student accommodation is no longer viewed simply as an operational necessity. It has become a competitive advantage.
Cities that can provide safe, professionally managed and well-located accommodation are increasingly better placed to attract students who have more destination choices than ever before.
The opening of the Perth campus also saw the launch of the Exal Global Scholars Program, designed to strengthen educational links between Curtin University’s Malaysian and Australian campuses.
Initially, four students from Curtin Malaysia will receive scholarships to undertake a semester in Perth, with funding assisting accommodation and travel costs while living at Yugo Perth University Campus.
Although modest in scale, the initiative reflects the growing importance of student mobility and transnational education. Universities are increasingly recognising that international engagement is no longer limited to recruiting full degree students. Short-term exchanges and cross-campus experiences are becoming valuable ways of strengthening institutional partnerships while giving students broader global perspectives.
The Perth development also marks another milestone for Yugo, which now operates five student accommodation properties across Australia, including two in Perth and two in Melbourne, alongside its Adelaide property.
Globally, the company manages more than 280 student living spaces across 120 cities in 14 countries and provides accommodation for approximately 160,000 students each year.
The project itself has already attracted industry recognition, receiving the 2023 PropertyGuru Asia Property Award for Best Student Accommodation Development in Australia before construction was completed.
The Koala believes Australia’s international education future will increasingly be determined by investments like this one. While debates continue over visa settings and student caps, the sector’s long-term competitiveness will depend just as heavily on its ability to provide students with affordable, safe and high-quality places to live.
The Koala congratulates Yugo and Curtin University and wishes the students who will reside in the new accommodation all the very best.
