Australia’s Northern Territory to Double Skilled Visas in 2024-25

From the applications submitted to the Northern Territory government the previous year, 1,600 more foreign skilled workers were allocated to the Northern Territory under the General Skilled Migration program. Workers from a range of industries, including health, science, finance, agriculture, construction, telecommunications, IT, and hospitality, have been nominated under the GSM initiative.

It offers both temporary and permanent five-year visas, with a pathway to permanent residency in the Northern Territory. This data complements the federal government’s announcement from the previous year that applications for employer-sponsored visas from regional areas—the Northern Territory being regarded as a region for migration purposes—were processed with the utmost priority.

Compared to Queensland, the Northern Territory now has a larger allocation of skilled nominated visas (190) and skilled work regional nominations (491). We will go over everything you need to know in this blog on the Australia Northern Territory Visa nomination in 2024–2025.

What You Need to Know About the Nomination for the Northern Territory

With a population of just more than 250,000, the Northern Territories occupy an area equivalent to that of France or Spain. Given that Darwin is the closest major Australian city to Asia, there are strong diplomatic, cultural, and economic relations between the capital city and Southeast Asia.

Numerous multimillion- and multibillion-dollar facilities in the area support thousands of jobs for professionals, skilled artisans, and entrepreneurs. The Northern Territory skilled program is made feasible by Australia’s recognition that the needs for immigration in its various States and territories may differ from those of the nation as a whole.

It permits the Northern Territory to create its lists of skilled shortages and immigration selection criteria.

Which criteria apply to eligibility?

If the evaluating body or the Northern Territory migration occupation list specifies differently, you must obtain a comprehensive skills assessment from an appropriate Australian skills assessment and assessing Authority in addition to a score of 65 on the points test for the skilled occupation you have nominated. Competent minimal English language skills should be the criterion.

You must demonstrate your willingness to live and work in the Northern Territory or prove that you have resided there for a set period to be eligible. An Expression of Interest application may be submitted either before or after your Northern Territory skilled nomination program application.

How Do You Apply

The following documents must be submitted in English to be considered for a nomination to the Northern Territory.

• A certified copy of the skills assessment for the designated occupation and the completed Northern Territory application form
• Certified copies of your certifications, CV, and evidence of employment in the field you’ve selected
• Certified copies of your passport and any family members’ passports you are requesting, together with documentation of your proficiency in the English language
• Evidence of your financial situation and a statement attesting to your commitment to the Northern Territory

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find out the status of my application?

Northern Territory will contact you or your chosen agent via the message portal in your online application migration. Your online application reflects the status of your application.

Is it possible for me to apply to be considered for a Skill Select nomination?

No invites are extended by the Northern Territory government through your Declaration of Interest on Skill Select; they are sent out immediately. Once you’ve submitted your Expression of Interest through Skill Select, you need to apply to migrate to the Northern Territory to be considered for a government visa.

Who may apply to be nominated by the government of the Northern Territory?

Any foreign national may nominate themselves for a category 491 or 190 visa by contacting the Northern Territory government through Migration Northern Territory.

What are the criteria for nominations?

There are differences between a subclass 190 permanent resident visa and a subclass 491 provisional visa. Generally, applicants for a nomination for a category 190 permanent residence visa will only be considered if they have lived in the Northern Territory for a significant amount of time.