Update on NT GSM nomination applications
The Northern Territory has now received an additional 200 subclass 491 nomination allocations for the 2021-22 program year.
MigrationNT continues to receive and assess applications under the existing eligibility criteria. You must ensure that you meet both the NT nomination criteria and the standard Home Affairs criteria at the time of lodging your nomination application and throughout the application process. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents, including English test results, skills assessments etc, remain valid.
You should lodge your application as soon as possible after meeting the eligibility criteria. Applications may not be assessed prior to visa expiry dates. If your visa is expiring you should seek professional advice on your visa options and ensure that you remain lawful during your stay in Australia.
COVID-19 information for temporary visa holders and sponsoring employers
Please refer to the following links for the latest updates on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
COVID-19 and the border updates on Australia’s immigration and border arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.
Northern Territory Government COVID-19 travel advice provides the latest Northern Territory travel advice on the Coronavirus website.
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.
Read more on the program objectives, nomination criteria and how to take part.
For further information go to the Paspalis website.
If you are a New Zealand citizen
Most New Zealand citizens are granted visas on arrival in Australia (Special Category visa (subclass 444)) which have unlimited working rights.
Your employers may require evidence of qualifications and work experience. For some occupations you will need to meet registration and licensing requirements.
Pathways to permanent residency are available for New Zealand citizens who meet relevant criteria.
Skilled and employer sponsored visa programs that you may be eligible for include:
- the employer nominated Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa
- independent migration under the General Skilled Migration Program; New Zealand citizens can access concessional criteria under this program
- Australia's Northern Territory Government nominated migration under one of the General Skilled Migration visas.
Read the NT migration occupation list to see if your skills are in demand in the Northern Territory.
Migrate to the Territory, Australia
View the transcript for the Migrate to the Territory, Australia video.