How can investors make sure their voice is heard?

When people hear the words “investor sentiment survey”, it’s easy to assume the results simply reflect how investors are feeling. But the PIPA Investor Sentiment Survey is much more valuable than a snapshot of confidence or optimism.

It captures recent behaviours.

It explores the decisions investors have already made, the actions they’re planning to take, and the reasons driving those choices. That distinction is incredibly important because understanding behaviour helps us better understand the imminent future of Australia’s housing market.

Australia relies heavily on private investors to provide rental accommodation. In fact, 91% of rental properties in our nation are owned by private investors.

Every decision an investor makes has the potential to influence rental supply, housing affordability and the choices available to tenants. If investors are delaying purchases, selling properties or choosing not to expand their portfolios, there are broader implications that extend well beyond their own financial circumstances.

The survey gives our industry the opportunity to quantify these trends rather than relying on anecdotal evidence.

Instead of saying investors are concerned about taxation, legislation or holding costs, we can demonstrate how those issues are influencing real decisions. Are investors selling? Are they planning to buy again? Are policy settings encouraging investment or discouraging it? Most importantly, why?

These insights matter because they provide policymakers with evidence instead of opinion.

Recent discussions with the Federal Shadow Housing Minister highlighted how valued the annual repository of PIPA’s data is. We have promised a fresh set of findings to the Liberal Senator’s office this September, and it will form the basis for another constructive discussion.

Good policy should be informed by quality data, and the more investors who participate in the survey, the more representative and influential the findings become. A survey supported by thousands of investors carries far greater weight than one with only a small sample size. It strengthens the industry’s ability to advocate for balanced housing policy that recognises the important role private investors play in Australia’s housing ecosystem.

The survey also benefits property owners themselves.

It provides an opportunity for their experiences to be heard. Whether they’re navigating rising holding costs, changing legislation, taxation reforms or financing challenges, every response contributes to a clearer picture of what’s happening across the country.

Housing policy affects everyone, not just investors. It influences renters, first home buyers, upgraders, down-sizers and the broader economy. Understanding the real-world consequences of policy decisions has never been more important.

If you’re a property owner, or even a prospective buyer, consider taking a few minutes to complete the PIPA Investor Sentiment Survey. Your responses won’t simply reflect how you’re feeling today. They’ll contribute to a body of evidence that helps explain what investors are actually doing, why they’re doing it, and how those decisions may shape Australia’s housing future.

Every response matters. Together, they create a stronger voice, better data and, ultimately, a better opportunity to influence informed government policy.

Link to complete our 10 minute survey is here.

Results will be shared in late September.

Refer to the PIPA website