2020 to 2021 program year update
The Australian Government has not yet allocated nomination quotas to the states and territories for the 2020 to 2021 program year.
At this stage, onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) nomination applications and all Business Investment and Innovation Program nomination applications will continue to be accepted and assessed, but no nominations can be issued until the Northern Territory has been allocated quotas. Offshore GSM nomination applications remain closed. We will update as further information becomes available.
Applicants must note that nominations are not guaranteed and the nomination application fee is non-refundable.
Read more on the 2020 to 2021 program year update.
COVID-19 information for temporary visa holders and sponsoring employers
This information is intended to help you with any general questions you may have in regards to temporary visas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
We will update this information regularly.
COVID-19 visa update (pdf 155kb)
COVID-19 visa update (docx 65kb)
Visas that need a nomination from an employer
- Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa
- Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA) is an employer-sponsored visa program which comes under the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482 labour agreement stream). An individual worker cannot apply for a visa independently under the NT DAMA. They should look for a job with an Northern Territory employer who will sponsor them.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa a skilled, employer sponsored temporary residence visa for employers operating in regional Australia.
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400) allows short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work in limited circumstances.
- Training visa (subclass 407) to take part in workplace-based training to enhance skills, area of tertiary study or field of expertise or to participate in a professional development training program in Australia.
- Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) there are five streams to this visa including the Seasonal Worker Program.
General skilled migration visas
These visas are for young, skilled people with good levels of English:
- Skilled - Independent (Permanent) (subclass 189) visa
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa
- Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa.
The subclasses 491 and 190 visas need a nomination from an Australian state or territory government such as Australia's Northern Territory Government.
MINT program
The Migration Innovation Northern Territory (MINT) program is an initiative owned by the Darwin Innovation Hub and Paspalis Asset Management and supported by the Northern Territory Government.
The program assists overseas nationals get Northern Territory Government nomination. They need to show commitment to involvement with the Darwin Innovation Hub.
The Migration Innovation Northern Territory 2019/20 program has commenced. Read more on the program objectives, nomination criteria and how to take part.
For further information go to the Darwin Innovation Hub website.
Migrate to the Territory, Australia
View the transcript for the Migrate to the Territory, Australia video.