Five Recruitment Trends That Will Shape Australia’s Living Sectors in FY27

The new financial year is always an interesting time in recruitment.

Budgets have been approved, hiring plans are taking shape and businesses begin to move from planning into execution. For Australia’s Living Sectors, FY27 looks set to be another year of growth, but the way organisations recruit continues to evolve.

Based on the conversations we’ve had with operators, developers, investors and candidates over the past 12 months, here are five trends we believe will shape recruitment across Build to Rent, PBSA and Co-Living over the coming year.

Operational Leadership Will Be the Biggest Hiring Priority

As more assets move from lease-up into stabilisation, the focus naturally shifts.

The question is no longer “How do we fill the building?” but rather “How do we operate it more effectively?”

We’re already seeing increased demand for experienced General Managers, Regional Managers, Resident Experience professionals and commercial operations leaders who can balance customer experience with financial performance.

The most successful operators understand that great buildings don’t create great communities—great people do.

Hospitality Talent Will Continue to Enter the Sector

Five years ago, many employers recruited almost exclusively from traditional property backgrounds.

Today, the picture is very different.

Hotels, premium retail, aviation and customer experience businesses are producing some of the strongest candidates entering Build to Rent and Co-Living. These professionals understand service, operational excellence and how to create memorable customer experiences—skills that translate exceptionally well into professionally managed residential communities.

Increasingly, we’re seeing employers recruit for capability rather than sector experience.

Speed Will Become a Competitive Advantage

The best candidates rarely stay on the market for long.

One trend that continues to stand out is the difference between organisations that move decisively and those that don’t.

Businesses with a clear recruitment process, timely feedback and efficient decision-making consistently secure stronger candidates. Those that take weeks to organise interviews often find the market has already moved on.

Candidate experience isn’t simply good practice anymore—it’s a competitive advantage.

Commercial Thinking Will Matter More Than Ever

Operational roles are becoming increasingly commercial.

Today’s General Managers are expected to understand budgets, NOI, occupancy, pricing strategy and asset performance, alongside leading teams and delivering exceptional resident experiences.

Similarly, Leasing Managers are no longer judged solely on occupancy. Revenue optimisation, retention, conversion rates and market positioning have become equally important.

As institutional investment in the sector grows, so too does the expectation that operational leaders think commercially.

The Competition for Talent Isn’t Going Away

Despite economic uncertainty in some parts of the property market, experienced Living Sector professionals remain in short supply.

The industry’s rapid growth means demand continues to outpace supply, particularly for experienced operational leaders.

For employers, this means recruitment requires more than simply advertising a vacancy. Building relationships, understanding candidate motivations and presenting compelling career opportunities will remain essential throughout FY27.

Looking Ahead

Australia’s Living Sectors continue to mature at an impressive pace.

As portfolios grow, so does the demand for leaders who can combine operational excellence, commercial thinking and exceptional customer experience.

At Living Sectors Recruitment, we’re excited to see how the market evolves over the coming year and look forward to continuing to support operators, developers and investors as they build the teams that will shape the future of residential living.

If you’d like to discuss your hiring plans for FY27 or would like a copy of our latest Living Sectors Talent Insights, we’d be delighted to have a conversation.

At Living Sectors Recruitment, we work with developers, operators and capital partners across the living sectors to support talent across the full lifecycle of BTR assets from development through to stabilised operations.

If you are building out your platform or planning future projects, we would welcome the opportunity to share insight into how the market is evolving.