Inquiry into the Accommodation needs of Tertiary Education Students in the ACT University of Submission

Introduction The ’s on-campus accommodation is provided by two outsourced companies, namely Campus Living Village (UoCV) and the University of Canberra’s Student’s Association (UCSA).

UoCV provides accommodation for 1415 students . This accommodation varies from 1, 2 and 5 bedroom apartments to shared accommodation options such as University Village and International House.

The University of Canberra’s Students Association provides accommodation for 214 students at Arscott House. This accommodation includes breakfast and dinner, seven days a week.

In 2012, the University will open a new accommodation option located in Wing 5 of the Cameron Offices. This facility will provide 221 beds. It is expected that this accommodation will be available on 25 January 2012.

Issue Anecdotal and statistical evidence confirms a substantial shortfall in the availability of student accommodation in Canberra. This is particularly the case at the University of Canberra.

Since 2007, enrolments at the University of Canberra have increased by over 30%1. Future growth is severely constrained by the lack of on-campus accommodation and affordable community accommodation.

At the start of 2011, UOCV reported a wait list of over 900 students. Arscott House also reported a long wait list.

Information received from the UCSA has revealed that students from low socio-economic backgrounds are struggling to pay market rate for rent and that some of these students are classed as homeless.

Discussions with both real estate agents and students have also revealed a shortfall in the supply of affordable community housing. This lack of affordable housing is a cause of major distress for students arriving from interstate to study in the ACT. Student parents are similarly concerned.

1 University of Canberra Planning and Statistics Team

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Discussion The University has a number of strategies to assist students to find accommodation in the ACT including: • The provision of 1629 on-campus beds which include 1415 beds in UoCV and 214 beds at Arscott House. In 2011, the University underwrote 36 beds at the Australian Sports Commission for the exclusive use of UC students. • A Homestay Program for students that utilises approximately 175 host families. This is a very successful program and is popular with international students and is slowly growing in popularity with domestic students. • A free Off-campus Accommodation Register for advertising available share house accommodation in Canberra. This register is well utilised with an average of 100 advertisements at any one time. • The UCSA offers a case service for students struggling with accommodation issues as part of its Service Level Agreement with the University.

International student enrolments point to the increasing popularity of the University in the international student market. In 2010 UC achieved the greatest increase in commencing onshore international students (as a percentage increase) as measured by student visa allocations.

The University has a vision for the future that would involve an increase in student numbers significantly above the result already achieved. Many of these students will be from interstate or overseas and will require accommodation, either on-campus or off-campus.

The University’s Accommodation Strategy 2008 – 2015 aims to accommodate 35% of interstate and international students by 2013 and 50% by 2015. Based on current projections, this requires the provision of 3112 beds by 2015 (an additional 1483 beds to the number currently provided). Notwithstanding the current commitment there will still be a significant gap in the available accommodation stock. This is indicated in the chart below.

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Projected gap in Accommodation Stock vs Beds Required

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

- 2008 2009 2010 2011F 2012F 2013F 2014F 2015F 2016F 2017F 2018F International Onshore Domestic (non-ACT/Qbyn) Total Accommodation Stock (actual/forecast) Total Beds Required (50% Target)

Source: University of Canberra Accommodation Strategy 2008-2015. The short term strategies of converting some rooms in UoCV to bunk beds and arrangements with Australian Sports Commission indicate the level of commitment that the University has taken to address the problem, but it must be recognised that a more permanent accommodation solution is required for the future. Feedback from students indicates a positive University experience associated with on-campus accommodation. Most students rate UoCV’s overall performance as ‘good’ or ‘very good’2. Given well- publicised incidents involving international students in Melbourne, the University recognises that that the high level of safety of on-campus accommodation, compared with other accommodation options, is attractive to international students, The University is committed to providing this excellent on-campus experience to a greater number of students. Some have suggested that the Global Financial Crisis and subsequent lack of investment has contributed to the lack of affordable accommodation in the ACT. Financial support for large accommodation projects is

2 University of Canberra Village Stakeholders Survey 2010

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very difficult to source. UoCV have indicated that the University may need to make an equity contribution to make any further on-campus development viable.

Economic impacts Export of Education Services is the second highest export category for the ACT. This is indicated in the chart below: Australian Capital Territory Major Export Categories 2009-10 ($millions)

Source : Australian Bureau of Statistics’ publication International Trade in Services, by Country, by State and by Detailed Services Category, Financial Year, 2009-10 (ABS Catalogue no. 5368.0.55.003). Export of education services has also been growing strongly over the past few years. The economic contribution, as well as the contribution to the culture and lifestyle of the city, is profound. The economic impact of education services exports is significantly greater than . The expected increase in international student numbers in coming years will bring many benefits to the ACT economy including increased revenue, multi-culturalism and a higher profile for Canberra on the international stage. Without the availability of safe, affordable housing for students this export category will come under threat. There is a compelling case for the ACT Government, education providers and private industry to work together to find a way of providing on-campus and affordable community accommodation for students in Canberra. Solutions could include collaborative projects and individual projects that utilise the resources of both government and private enterprise and investment.

Kailee Fisher A/Manager, Accommodation Service University of Canberra 7 April 2011 4