In the latest Queensland Economic Review, released today, Queensland Treasury’s Office of Economic and Statistical Research (OESR) expects a turnaround in Queensland’s population growth, which in recent years has been lacklustre, partly due to a decline in overseas student numbers associated with a higher Australian dollar. OESR notes:

More recently though, there have been some positive signs for Queensland’s population growth. Over the past year, arrivals from New Zealand have improved, while 457 visas grants have increased so far in 2011–12. After falling in each consecutive quarter since June 2007, annual net interstate migration has appeared to stabilise, a better than expected result given the possibility that the floods may have delayed moving decisions somewhat in the March quarter.

Looking ahead, the Federal Government’s planned policy changes to the student visa program, made in response to the Knight report on the overseas education sector, should see an improvement in both the attractiveness and accessibility of Australian education for international students.