Universities could be forced to house international students under migration policies to be unveiled by the Liberal Party.
But despite calling for a reduction in immigration numbers, saying Labor's intake was too high, no number is expected to be attached to Australia's net overseas migration when the Liberals' policy principles are revealed in the coming week.
Instead, the party will wait until closer to the next election to base the number of migrants it will cut from entering the country on timely data, arguing projections have consistently been overshot.
Universities housing international students, to unlock private rentals, would be part of the plan, sources with knowledge of the principles told AAP.
While Liberals are being careful not to link housing stress directly to migration - and rather to choked supply - there's an acknowledgement that more needs to be done to bolster infrastructure to support a larger population.
How to enforce a values test that visa holders sign on arrival and how to plug skill shortages, including in regional areas, are also under consideration.
Two senior Liberals denied the party was looking to cut the refugee intake following a report in Nine newspapers.
The party is walking a tightrope on migration policy with concerns about being seen to be targeting multicultural communities in an immigration crackdown.
Most are championing a more nuanced approach following a spate of controversial comments by a handful of conservative MPs attacking mass migration.
Home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam and immigration spokesman Paul Scarr have been spearheading the migration policy.
A majority of the party room are staying clear of the "mass migration" term, wary it will offend migrant and multicultural communities, one MP speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal party matters said.
It comes after renegade senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price made disparaging comments against the Indian diaspora.
That spurred Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and state Liberals to embark on a series of tours around diaspora communities, including Little India in western Sydney, after the senator refused to apologise.
There had been private conversations with people about how the policy debate was framed in the context of the party's political objectives to win back support from migrant and multicultural communities, one MP said.
They pointed to former Liberal prime minister John Howard being able to balance support within these communities while still being tough on borders and migration.
Although on the party's right, Senator Duniam is seen as a more controlled force than the previous portfolio spokesman Andrew Hastie, who resigned to be more outspoken on migration as he champions a hardline "Australia first" approach.
Mr Hastie accused Ms Ley of cutting him out of the debate in favour of Senator Scarr running the policy, despite the home affairs portfolio overseeing immigration.
Senator Scarr is seen as a moderate voice on migration due to his close ties to multicultural communities.
