I thought electronic visas for students were starting 1st Jan....

I thought electronic visas for students were starting 1st Jan. But see they begin 1stJuly. As the deterioration in our manuf, mining, energy sectors accelerates, the govt will become even more desperate for money. I see them opening floodgates to foreign students and electronic visas will pave the way.

Our uni's are already dependent on foreign student income and this dependency will also accelarate drive to recruit more. Plus i see the tourist industry is promoting more overseas students saying that hotels, restaurants, job numbers etc all benefit when parents come to visit their kids who study here.

Biggest supporter of students becoming PR is housing developers, builders union and the banks who say we need more people to buy the countless apartments being built or Oz will experience a housing crash, which in turn will threaten the entire economy.

Hence, the drivers contributing to the macro stretch right across the economy and high into upper levels of government. Everyone, Dick Smith aside, seems to be behind ever increasing numbers and these forces are powerful. Even the media wants a 'BIG Australia' policy. So it seems unstoppable even though i worry how it will all pan out in say 5-10yrs time. i.e. traffic congestion.

I expect student numbers to keep rising along with vast numbers trying to get a place on a course that leads to PR. NVT is the biggest player in the sector and best suited to gain from the macro enveloping the industry. Expect more consolidation.

SP now well below day's high and provides a cheaper entry point.