Panel: Residential Evolution - BTR and PBSA in Australia 2025

Population growth, urbanisation, and rising housing costs continue to drive demand for quality rental housing, while Australia’s academic excellence makes the country an increasingly popular destination for students from around the region. According to Oxford Economics, 14,000 build-to-rent (BTR) units have already been completed, with another 10,000 set to launch within the next 18 months. Meanwhile, rising construction costs and operational complexities are pushing strategies for scale and diversification, including increased investment in student and senior housing to enhance yields.

Australia experienced a 19.3 percent rise in student enrollments from January to May 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to research by the Amber booking platform. This surge has attracted global investors, with Greystar acquiring seven Australian student housing properties from a Wee Hur Holdings and GIC joint venture. Additionally, Scape has converted its flagship student housing fund into a A$6 billion ($3.8 billion) open-ended core vehicle, securing a fresh A$1 billion equity commitment from key global investors and acquiring eight new assets.

: Ben Taylor, Fund Manager, Scape

: Matt Woodland, Managing Director, Investment Management, Australia, Greystar

: Robert Papaleo, Head of Living, Australia, Colliers

Discover how Australia’s evolving demographics are reshaping the rental housing sector at the MTD TV APAC Residential Forum 2025, sponsored by Yardi, which will feature insights from top experts at Scape, Greystar and Colliers.

Date: Tuesday 25 March 2025

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM HKT

Speakers:

Ben Taylor, Fund Manager, Scape
Matt Woodland, Managing Director, Investment Management, Australia, Greystar
Robert Papaleo, Head of Living, Australia, Colliers

Live Q&A with Rental Housing Leaders

Immediately following the interview, Mingtiandi’s team will moderate a live question and answer session in which attendees can quiz the speakers on their market outlooks and get direct insights from some of the region’s top experts in the multi-family space.