UniLodge
UniLodge is one of Australia's largest purpose-built student accommodation providers, operating 140+ managed properties across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It serves domestic and international university students through university partnerships, a centralised StarRez booking platform, and its Residential Life community program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersBrisbane, Australia
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What UniLodge does
UniLodge, headquartered in Brisbane and founded in 1993, is one of the largest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) operators in Australia, with a managed portfolio of 140+ properties spanning all major Australian metro markets (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Darwin), regional university centres (Cairns, Townsville, Bendigo, Wodonga, Ballarat, Mildura), New Zealand (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch), and an expanding Canadian operation under UniLodge Canada. The company operates through a portfolio architecture that includes owned-branded properties (UniLodge, Student Living, Hive, INDI, WeAreLiving, The Archive, Realm, Assemble) and university-partnered properties at Western Sydney University, La Trobe University, University of Sydney, James Cook University, Curtin University, and Southern Cross University, managed centrally under the UniLodge Living Group corporate umbrella alongside adjacent residential brands Essence Communities, Essence Hotels & Apartments, and Essence Homes.
The technology backbone is the StarRez property management and reservation platform integrated across the portfolio for room booking, contract management, and resident administration, with a Resident Hub mobile application (iOS and Android) supporting the proprietary Residential Life program — a structured community, wellbeing, and engagement layer that distinguishes UniLodge from commodity housing provision. Many properties hold NPAS accreditation and UniLodge aligns with the Student Accommodation Association standards, and in 2025 published a Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Plan under the National Higher Education Code.
The business model is recurring weekly rent (A$200–A$400/week depending on room type and market, on 20-, 41-, or 52-week contracts with a A$1,000 bond), supplemented by ancillary revenue streams including secure car parking, catering at residential colleges (e.g., Menzies College), laundry, and a referral-based GTM partnership stack (CommBank, Jayride, TAXIBOX, Experience Oz, MyISIC). Distribution combines a self-serve online booking portal (reserve.unilodge.com.au), co-branded listings on university housing pages, a referral agent network, and a direct sales layer into university housing departments. End-customers are tens of thousands of domestic and international university students; institutional buyers are the partner universities themselves.
UniLodge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UniLodge
- Legal name
- UniLodge
- Website
- https://unilodge.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- UniLodge is one of Australia's largest purpose-built student accommodation providers, operating 140+ managed properties across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It serves domestic and international university students through university partnerships, a centralised StarRez booking platform, and its Residential Life community program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UniLodge industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Student Accommodation Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) Providers & Operators (EDAIALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Off-Campus Purpose-Built Student Housing (PBSA) Management (BPAJAJAB), Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) – Short-Term Leases (THAMAGAB), Academic Program Housing (Study Abroad, Language Schools, Field Schools) (THAMAGAE)
Keywords
Where UniLodge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brisbane
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices5 records
Markets served
UniLodge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Student Accommodation Rent: Weekly rental payments from students occupying accommodation rooms and apartments. Rent is charged per fortnight with payment options including advance semester or annual payment. Pricing varies by property type (studio, multi-share, single room) and location, ranging from $200-$400 per week.
- Ancillary Services: Additional revenue streams from optional services including secure car parking ($25/month at some properties), catering/meal options (breakfast and dinner available at additional cost at properties like Menzies College), and laundry services where coin-operated.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Weekly | 5 Bedroom Townhouse - Western Sydney University Penrith Village |
| Subscription | Weekly | Menzies College Single Room - La Trobe University |
| Subscription | Weekly | North and South Apartments Studio - La Trobe University |
| Subscription | Weekly | North and South Apartments Multi-Share - La Trobe University |
| Subscription | Weekly | Orde House Single Room - La Trobe University Bendigo |
| Subscription | Weekly | The Units Single Room - La Trobe University Bendigo |
| Subscription | Weekly | McFarlane's Hill Single Room - La Trobe University Albury Wodonga |
| Subscription | Weekly | Hillside Apartments Single Room - La Trobe University Bendigo |
| Subscription | Weekly | Villas Single Room - La Trobe University Bendigo |
| Subscription | Weekly | Mildura Regional Housing Single Room |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
UniLodge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UniLodge provides purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) across Australia and New Zealand, operating 140+ managed properties that offer furnished rooms, studios, apartments, and townhouses to domestic and international university students. The company manages accommodation on behalf of university partners (including University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, La Trobe University, James Cook University, Curtin University, and Southern Cross University) and supplements housing with its Residential Life engagement program and the UniLodge Resident Hub mobile app.
Product overview
UniLodge is one of Australia's largest Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) providers, operating a portfolio of 140+ managed student housing properties across Australia and New Zealand. The core offering is UniLodge itself — a platform of individual branded properties (including UniLodge, Student Living, INDI, Hive, WeAreLiving, and university-specific brands) that provide furnished rooms, studios, apartments, and townhouses for domestic and international university students. Properties span major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin) and regional centres (Bendigo, Wodonga, Townsville, Cairns, Lismore, Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington). UniLodge also provides ancillary services including the Residential Life Program (structured social and wellbeing support), a Resident Hub mobile app, and Your Shop for student essentials. University partnerships include branded accommodation at the University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, La Trobe University, and others, all managed through the UniLodge booking infrastructure. Many properties hold NPAS (National Property Accreditation Scheme) certification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Essence Communities: Student accommodation communities operated by UniLodge Living Group
- Essence Hotels & Apartments
- Essence Homes
- Hive
- INDI
- WeAreLiving
- The Archive
- Realm
- Assemble
- UniLodge Living Group
Products and services
- UniLodge Student Accommodation
- Student Living by UniLodge
- University of Sydney Partnership Properties
- Living at La Trobe
- Western Sydney University Villages
- Residential Life Program
- Resident Hub App
- Your Shop
Quantifiable outcome
- One of the largest providers of PBSA (Purpose-Built Student Accommodation) in Australia
Companies that use UniLodge
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
UniLodge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
UniLodge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS)coreUniLodge maintains a strong ongoing relationship with NPAS, with many of its properties accredited under the scheme. This voluntary accreditation program evaluates PBSA providers on building safety, operational standards, student welfare, and facility quality. NPAS accreditation provides students and families confidence that accommodation meets rigorous quality standards.
- Student Accommodation Association (SAA)minorThe Student Accommodation Association plays key roles in standards, accreditation, and industry development for PBSA in Australia. UniLodge operates in alignment with SAA standards as one of the largest PBSA providers.
- TAXIBOXminorUniLodge has partnered with Australia's leading mobile storage provider to offer residents a convenient and cost-effective storage solution. Residents receive $50 off TAXIBOX's lowest retail rates through a dedicated partnership discount program.
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank)minorPartnership providing CommBank banking offers for international students moving to Australia. UniLodge receives commission of AUD$40 per person who signs up for a CommBank account through the referral link. Students can set up Australian bank accounts up to 14 days before arrival.
- JayrideminorPartnership offering discounted airport transfers for students moving to Australia. Jayride provides options including private cars, shuttles, and premium transfer services for stress-free arrival.
- Experience OzminorPartnership with Australia's leading hub for booking theme park tickets, activities, tours, and experiences in Australia and New Zealand. Offers over 3,000 experiences for students.
- MyISIC (International Student Identity Card)minorPartnership providing eligible students access to internationally recognized student identity and lifestyle cards. The ISIC is used by students to access offers on travel, shopping, dining, and entertainment in over 125 countries.
- StarRezcoreUniLodge uses the StarRez property management system across all properties for room reservations, contract management, and resident administration. The StarRez Portal serves as the primary booking and resident management platform.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
UniLodge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Scape: Scape is one of Australia's largest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) operators, owning and managing thousands of beds across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. It directly competes with UniLodge for both university partnerships and direct student bookings in the same high-density CBD and university-adjacent corridors.
- Student One: Student One operates PBSA in Brisbane and Adelaide with comparable studio and shared apartment offerings aimed at university students. It competes directly with UniLodge's Brisbane- and Adelaide-based properties, including UniLodge Brisbane City and UniLodge Metro Adelaide.
- Y Suites: Y Suites is an Australian student accommodation operator with PBSA properties across multiple cities. It directly competes with UniLodge for university accommodation contracts and international student placements, particularly in value-to-mid-tier studio and shared room categories.
- Chapter Australia: Chapter operates purpose-built student accommodation across Sydney and other Australian cities. It directly competes with UniLodge's Sydney properties (e.g., Queen Mary Building, Darlington House, Abercrombie) for both University of Sydney and broader international student demand.
- Campus Living Villages: Campus Living Villages is an Australian PBSA provider focused on on-campus and near-campus student villages for multiple universities. It competes with UniLodge's WSU Villages, La Trobe residential colleges and other partnership-managed properties in both metropolitan and regional locations.
- The Pad Student Accommodation: The Pad is a Brisbane-based student accommodation operator with PBSA properties serving QUT, UQ and Griffith students. It competes directly with UniLodge's Brisbane City and Herston properties for the same local student catchment in the Brisbane CBD.
- Iglu: Iglu operates a portfolio of purpose-built student accommodation buildings across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and regional centres in Australia. It targets the same domestic and international student customer base as UniLodge, with a similar university partnership and direct-booking model across studio and shared apartment room types.
- Atira Student Living: Atira Student Living (Aspasia) operates PBSA in New Zealand and Australian cities, competing directly with UniLodge Auckland, UniLodge Wellington and UniLodge Christchurch for New Zealand-based international student demand.
Emerging players
- Arrow on Swanston: Arrow on Swanston (formerly known as UniLodge Melbourne Central-adjacent PBSA) is an Australian student housing operator in Melbourne. It is comparable as a specialty provider serving university students with similar furnished room/apartment offerings in the same Melbourne CBD micro-market.
Broad incumbents
- GSA (Global Student Accommodation): GSA is a large international PBSA investor and operator with assets across multiple geographies including Australia. While not exclusively focused on UniLodge's core ANZ footprint, it is a relevant broad incumbent whose scale and capital access could pressure UniLodge's competitive positioning in shared markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UniLodge social profiles
Digital presenceUniLodge compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
UniLodge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UniLodge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
UniLodge subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
UniLodge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UniLodge M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UniLodge
What does UniLodge do?
UniLodge provides purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) across Australia and New Zealand, operating 140+ managed properties that offer furnished rooms, studios, apartments, and townhouses to domestic and international university students. The company manages accommodation on behalf of university partners (including University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, La Trobe University, James Cook University, Curtin University, and Southern Cross University) and supplements housing with its Residential Life engagement program and the UniLodge Resident Hub mobile app.
Is UniLodge a public or private company?
UniLodge is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was UniLodge founded?
UniLodge was founded in 1993. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is UniLodge based?
UniLodge is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does UniLodge make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Student Accommodation Rent is the primary driver. The others are ancillary Services.
Who are UniLodge's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Scape, Student One, Y Suites, Chapter Australia, Campus Living Villages, The Pad Student Accommodation, Iglu and Atira Student Living. Arrow on Swanston is listed as an emerging player. GSA (Global Student Accommodation) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does UniLodge have an API?
No public API is recorded for UniLodge.
What industry is UniLodge in?
UniLodge's product category is Student Accommodation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIALAA, Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) Providers & Operators, with a secondary code of BPAJAJAB, Off-Campus Purpose-Built Student Housing (PBSA) Management. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 7000.