The problem with this thesis, it tries to further commodify an essential service. As they've done in America with the only real result, unaffordable degrees and massive drop out numbers, plus virtually unrepayable debt!

And just what you'd expect when rich folks pay just 15 cents in the dollar tax, even a the secretary who keeps the books etc, pays 30!

We have similar situation here, except our artful dodgers expect to be able to avail themselves of taxpayer funded hospitals, education and drive on publicly funded roads etc!

The replacement of manufacturing with services is like buying the emperor's new clothes, as demonstrated in the article?

Moreover as China transitions to a consumption driven economy, she will massively ramp up her own domestic service supply! And leave us bewailing the sheer stupidity and lack of foresight at the helm.

And just what you'd expect when fundamental (brook no argument or thinking outside the box) idealogues have their fanatical hands on the tiller?

WE need to get back to a nation that makes stuff and on the back of cheap energy and innovation; as opposed to selling both to debt laden foreigners at fire sale prices!

We need to educate tomorrow's workforce, ours rather than theirs.

To that end, education needs to once again be seen as an essential service or indeed a basic right. And real tax reform that ended the perceived need to commodify essential service would be a useful first step in the right direction!
Rhrosty.

"Investor"? "Client"? What nonsense. Education should not be described in business terms. Education is a basic right and a necessity, dragged into the grubby money market by unimaginative politicians and bureaucrats in the education hierarchy who don't actually do any educating. The 'selling' of education to foreigners, and the ensuing immigration rorts are all part of the farce of education in Australia.

I would suggest that given the decline in overall achievement rates for students, that the first potion of uni would be a refresher or catch up on the basics that should have been learned at school.

The other problem is that rich parents often send their kids to uni because there are no jobs.

I often say we here in Ox have the highest qualified bar staff in the world, simply because we continue to train people in rolls that simply don't exist, at least not for the bottom 80% of trainees.

As for being an investment, like any investment, the returns are often measured by the amount of effort one puts in. May I suggest anyone goes to the local pub/club filled with uni students and try to spot the 'non Aussie', because foreign students are here for the opportunity, not the party.