Closure of NT General Skilled Migration (GSM) nomination applications for 2023-24
The number of NT nomination applications received under the GSM program has now exceeded the available allocations for the 2023-24 program year.
MigrationNT will stop accepting new GSM nomination applications from close of business on Monday 4 December 2023.
Existing applications that have already been lodged through the online MigrationNT portal prior to this time will continue to be assessed under existing eligibility criteria, and eligible applicants will be issued nominations, subject to availability of allocations. Some eligible applications may need to be placed on hold until new allocations are received in the 2024-25 program year (commencing 1 July 2024). You will be contacted via our online portal if this applies to your application.
Those who have visas expiring should seek professional advice on their visa options and ensure that they remain lawful during their stay in Australia.
MigrationNT continues to advocate for nomination allocation numbers that meet the needs of the Territory.
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 5 streams to this visa including the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
General skilled migration visas
These visas are for young, skilled people with good levels of English:
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa
- Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa
- Skilled - Independent (Permanent) (subclass 189) 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.
For further information, go to the Paspalis website.
If you are a New Zealand citizen
If you are a New Zealand citizen, your transition to life in Australia's Northern Territory couldn't be easier. Upon setting foot in Australia, you will automatically receive a Special Category visa (SCV). This grants you the freedom to live, work, visit and study in Australia indefinitely, and qualify for citizenship after 4 years.
From 1 July 2023, all New Zealand citizens who meet relevant criteria and hold a SCV can apply directly for citizenship (by conferral). Criteria includes having lived in Australia for 4 years.
If you are a New Zealand permanent resident, you need to apply for a suitable visa in order to enter Australia.
Check your eligibility and visas options on the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs website.
To work in some occupations you will need to meet registration and licensing requirements and your employers may require evidence of qualifications and work experience.
Your family
If you are a New Zealand citizen, holding an SCV but your family members are not New Zealand citizens, they may be eligible for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) visa (subclass 461).
Skilled and employer sponsored visa programs
If you are not eligible for SCV, you may be eligible for a skilled and/or employer sponsored visa programs such as:
- the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa - an employer sponsored visa of up to 2 or 4 years
- the 5-year provisional Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa
- the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa
- employer sponsored visa through the NT Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA)
- independent migration (subclass 189) under the General Skilled Migration 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.