About Student Accommodation Industry Association

The Student Accommodation Industry Association (SAIA) is an Unincorporated Not-for-Profit Association established in November 2008.

Our board comprises professionals across a range of disciplines including:

legal
regulatory compliance
building, planning & certification
insurance
finance
operator/management; and
representation from the universities

Damian Haber (B.Com/BLLB)
President - SAIA

Damian is the President of the Student Accommodation Industry Association and Principal of The Pad Student Accommodation. Damian has had over 15 years experience working as an Advisor in Property to both Corporate and Government having practiced as a senior property and tax lawyer with Freehills Lawyers in both Melbourne and Brisbane as well as head of Property Advisory at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Brisbane. Damian brings a strong legal and financial background to the Association and professional approach to dealings with Government.

Guy Gibbons (BLLB)
Committee Member- SAIA

Guy is the Principal of Bennett Carroll Solicitors.

Ian Yeo Dip Fin Serv (Broking) QPIB

Ian is the Managing Director of PB Broking who are members of the Steadfast Group, Australia's largest autonomous Insurance Broker cluster Group, with 268 member companies generating in excess of $2.5 billion in annual premium turnover. This means that our clients have access to our extensive group buying power to negotiate better terms and access to a wide selection of insurers.

P.B Broking covers a wide range of services including a specifically developed product for the Student Accommodation Industry which is placed through an Australian Authorized Underwriter.

As registered Brokers PB Broking handle all aspects of the insurance process from placement to claims management.

Don Foster

QUT Student Accommodation Officer
Starting with a Teachers background, Don has worked extensively within Community and Social Welfare organisations; having established more than 15 years of Government Service. In the last 5 years Don has been employed with QUT in a similar capacity. Initially involved in the Q-Step program, where he assisted students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds realise their university dreams, he is now employed as the Student Accommodation Officer for QUT’s Kelvin Grove campus. Here he assist both International and Domestic students with all their accommodation needs.

Greg Roach
Secretary- SAIA

Greg Roach is the Principal of Budget Accommodation Solutions Pty Ltd. A company that was formed in 2003 with a view to meet all fire safety obligations in budget accommodation buildings in South East Queensland. We maintain the compliance of fire safety management plans and buildings for over 250 clients representing in excess of 1800 beds in Brisbane. We have an excellent working relationship with the Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. Greg is the Secretary of the Student Accommodation Industry Association and has been integrally involved in amendments to the Residential Services Accreditation Act (Qld) and continues to be called on by various regulatory bodies to provide specialist input into matters relating to fire safety in Queensland.

Steve Donnell
Treasurer- SAIA

Steve is a Senior Relationship Manager - Private Client Group at Bank west.

Sebastian Trovato
Committee Member- SAIA

Our business provides services related to all facets of Building Certification, which was set up in response to the introduction of private building certification under the Integrated Panning Act, 1997 (IPA).

Building Certification Consultants Pty. Ltd. Provides assessment (Building Approvals) and Inspections services on all classes of buildings and structures, (Residential and Commercial).