Australia’s build-to-rent sector has moved past the question of whether it will work—it’s now about how to make it work at scale.

After years of momentum driven by housing undersupply, institutional interest and changing renter preferences, the conversation is shifting from market entry to market maturity as investors, developers and operators now focus on delivery models, operational performance and long-term returns.

These themes will take centre stage at The Urban Developer Build-to-Rent Summit, presented in partnership with KIO Investment Management on June 11 at the W Hotel, Melbourne.

We’ll bring together some of the country’s leading institutional investors, developers, operators and advisers to examine where the build-to-rent sector is heading next.

The program opens with a keynote from Conal Newland of Cushman Wakefield—State of the Build-to-Rent Market: a detailed outlook on the supply and demand fundamentals underpinning the institutional living sector across Australia’s major cities.

As investment into living sectors continues to evolve, one of the key questions facing the market is how major players are approaching deployment strategies in 2026 and beyond.

That discussion will unfold during Inside the Mind of the Major Players, featuring Sarsha Durham from Mirvac, Yasmin Booker from Barings and Dan McLennan from Local Residential.

The panel will explore how institutional investors are balancing long-term conviction in the sector with current feasibility pressures, capital allocation priorities and operational considerations.

In Deal Flow, Investor Sentiment, Valuations and Returns, speakers including Will Peters, Alex Shaw, Jeremy Quinn and Luke Mackintosh will examine how capital is currently moving through the sector and how investor sentiment has shifted during the past 12 months.

The session reflects growing industry focus on valuations, return expectations and the role institutional capital will continue to play in shaping Australia’s future rental supply.

Several project-led case studies throughout the day will provide practical insight into the realities of delivering and operating build-to-rent assets.

Ben Pomroy from Rothelowman will unpack lessons from Novus on Harris, exploring the challenges and opportunities involved in pioneering build-to-rent delivery in NSW.

Future Property Group founder David Cummins will present The Future of Build to Rent is Regenerative, examining how sustainability and regenerative development principles are beginning to influence long-term asset strategies.

Rhys Williams from UKO will explore the growing conversation around converting build-to-sell projects into build-to-rent assets, sharing operational lessons and live project examples.

The panel Optimising Build-to-Rent Operations will bring together operators and technology leaders including Charlotte Dillon, Nicole Hiddlestone and representatives from Salto to discuss the systems, technology and management capabilities required to scale successful build-to-rent platforms.

The afternoon program then shifts toward delivery and development structures.

In Innovating The Development and Delivery Model of Build-to-Rent Assets, speakers including Sebastian Mahoney and Trent Bell will explore how developers and capital partners are structuring projects differently as the sector matures.

The summit concludes with a headline In Conversation session featuring Peter Bates from Essence Communities.

In discussion with The Urban Developer founder and chief executive Adam Di Marco, Peter will reflect on the evolution of Essence Communities over nearly three decades, offering perspective on scaling living-sector businesses, operational complexity and the future of institutional residential models in Australia.

Build-to-rent is increasingly being viewed as a long-term component of the nation’s housing supply solution.

As the sector moves from pipeline to performance, The Urban Developer Build-to-Rent Summit arrives at a time when the industry is moving beyond concept and into execution, bringing together the people actively shaping that transition.

Registrations are now open, secure your place here.

Mathilde Vernet

Residential

12 May 26

BtR at Crossroads: Capital, Conviction and the Next Phase

Mathilde Vernet