Greystar commences A$1.6 billion student housing rollout, targeting double bed count in two years

4,084 beds now operational as Accolade by Greystar rapidly enters Australia’s high-demand student living sector

AUSTRALIA – October 6 2025 – Greystar, a global leader in rental housing, has taken over management of the first five properties of its landmark $1.6 billion student accommodation portfolio. Operating under the newly launched Accolade by Greystar brand, the milestone establishes the company as a major institutional operator in Australia’s student living sector. 

The successful operational handover brings 4,084 student beds across six key properties under Accolade's management, with the Melbourne property taken over by Greystar in July this year. The Accolade portfolio spans Australia's top university cities, including Sydney, Adelaide, and Canberra, with Greystar targeting 10,000 student beds under management by 2027. 

“This is the start of our journey to be one of the biggest and best student accommodation providers in the country,” said Bernadette Chai, Managing Director at Greystar. “We are aggressively pursuing that goal, with bold ambitions to double our beds under management within the next two years. As one of the biggest student accommodation providers in the world, we are proud to bring that global scale and proven expertise directly to the Australian market.” 

With Greystar already managing over 100,000 student beds worldwide, Accolade brings unmatched scale, investment, and commitment to setting a new standard for student living in Australia. 

Students studying in Australia will have access to a dedicated, locally-based management team trained to support student wellbeing and growth. Each Accolade property features a variety of shared amenities, fully-equipped gyms, dedicated study areas and entertainment spaces, with future plans to enhance the offering further. 

The Australian Government’s announcement of the 2026 National Planning Level, which includes 25,000 additional international student allocations in 2026, highlights the need for safe and secure student housing. Greystar is proactively expanding its portfolio to meet this demand, and to become a leading partner and provider of high-quality purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). 

“The Australian government’s decision to welcome 25,000 more international students next year is an acknowledgement of their vital contribution to the Australian economy and society generally,” said Bernadette. “We are focused on delivering high-quality, purpose-built student communities that help students thrive throughout their time studying in Australia.”

The transition brings on board over 70 new team members, growing Greystar’s on-the-ground expertise and operational strength. To support Accolade’s expansion in Australia, Greystar plans to double its team size, recruiting across property management, sales, and residential services.