Australia’s Northern Territory has opened its General Skilled Migration nomination program for the 2026–27 year. New applications are being accepted from August 21, 2026, after the territory received its full nomination allocation from the Australian Government.
Applications are open to people living in the Northern Territory and to eligible overseas applicants under selected streams. However, the Offshore NT Priority Occupation stream remains closed because a large number of applications are still waiting from the previous program year.
The Northern Territory government has also updated its eligibility rules. Applicants have been advised to study the requirements for their stream before submitting an application.
Two Skilled Visa Options Available
The Northern Territory can nominate eligible applicants for two points-tested skilled visas.
| Visa | Type | Main purpose |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | Permanent visa | Allows the holder and eligible family members to remain in Australia permanently |
| Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) | Five-year provisional visa | Allows the holder and eligible family members to live, work and study in regional Australia |
The subclass 491 visa may provide a route to permanent residence after the applicant meets the relevant regional living and working conditions.
People nominated for either visa are expected to live and work in the Northern Territory for at least three years after their visa is granted.
The subclass 190 visa is generally reserved for applicants who can show a strong and long-term connection to the Northern Territory. Overseas applicants will normally only be considered for a subclass 491 nomination.
Minimum Requirements for Applicants
All applicants must satisfy both the Australian Government’s visa conditions and the Northern Territory’s nomination rules.
The basic nomination requirements include:
- Being under 45 years of age at the time of nomination
- Holding a valid skills assessment for the nominated occupation and visa subclass
- Having an occupation on the relevant Australian skilled occupation list
- Having at least Competent English, unless a higher level is required for the occupation
- Scoring at least 65 points under the skilled migration points test
- Showing a genuine commitment to living and working in the Northern Territory
- Having enough financial resources to settle in the territory
Meeting these conditions does not guarantee a nomination. MigrationNT will also consider the applicant’s employment prospects and whether their skills meet the needs of local industries.
Five Northern Territory Nomination Streams
The Northern Territory program has five nomination streams.
| Nomination stream | Applicant group | Current position |
| NT Graduates stream | International graduates who studied in the Northern Territory | Open |
| NT Residents stream | Temporary visa holders currently living and working in the territory | Open |
| Offshore NT Priority Occupation stream | Overseas applicants with an occupation on the NT occupation list | Closed to new applications |
| Offshore Job Offer stream | Overseas applicants with an eligible NT job offer | Open |
| Offshore Family stream | Overseas applicants with an eligible relative living in the NT | Open |
All eligibility conditions must be met when the nomination application is submitted. On the other hand, people living in another Australian state or territory are not eligible. An applicant may also be refused if a migrating dependant is living interstate.
Requirements for Northern Territory Graduates
International graduates may apply through the NT Graduates stream if they completed at least two academic years of full-time study at an educational institution based in the Northern Territory.
For a subclass 491 nomination, graduates must show genuine and continuing efforts to find employment with an NT employer in their nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.
Evidence may include job applications, contact with local employers, relevant employment, membership of professional organisations and feedback from industry representatives.
The subclass 190 requirements are stricter. Depending on their circumstances, graduates may need to have lived in the territory for six or 12 continuous months after completing their qualification. Employment, a recent job offer or evidence of sustained job-search efforts may also be required.
Special rules are available for some graduates aged over 35 who are not eligible for a Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa.
Requirements for Northern Territory Residents
People already living in the Northern Territory may qualify through the NT Residents stream.
For a subclass 190 nomination, an applicant will normally need:
- At least two consecutive years of residence in the Northern Territory
- At least two consecutive years of full-time employment in the territory
- Employment that will remain available for at least another 12 months
For a subclass 491 nomination, an applicant will normally need:
- At least 12 consecutive months of residence in the Northern Territory
- At least six consecutive months of full-time employment
- Employment that will remain available for at least another 12 months
Full-time work means at least 35 hours each week. One or more part-time positions may be accepted if the combined hours are equal to full-time work.
The employer must normally have traded in the Northern Territory for at least 12 months. The employee must also receive a market salary.
Remote work for an employer based outside the Northern Territory will generally not qualify unless the applicant’s duties involve serving clients in the territory.
Some exceptions may be considered for people working outside their nominated occupation in a remote part of the territory or in a designated critical sector. These sectors include energy, defence, agriculture, mining, health, aged and disability care, education, tourism and construction.
Offshore Priority Occupation Stream Remains Closed
The Offshore NT Priority Occupation stream is not accepting new applications.
MigrationNT said it has a large number of applications waiting for assessment from the previous program year. These cases will be processed before the stream is reopened.
If the stream becomes available again, applicants will need a skills assessment for an occupation on the Northern Territory Offshore Migration Occupation List. Some occupations may also require additional work experience.
Offshore Job Offer Stream
The Offshore Job Offer stream remains available to applicants with a genuine employment offer in their nominated occupation.
The position must:
- Be based in the Northern Territory
- Provide at least 35 hours of work per week
- Be offered for at least 12 months
- Be with an organisation that has operated in the territory for at least 12 months
Overseas applicants must normally have at least two years of post-qualification work experience in their nominated occupation during the previous five years.
Offshore Family Stream
Applicants outside Australia may also qualify through the NT Family stream.
The supporting relative must have lived in the Northern Territory for at least 12 months. They must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or the holder of an accepted Australian visa.
Eligible relatives may include parents, children, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, first cousins and grandparents.
The relative must sign a statutory declaration confirming that they are willing and able to help the applicant settle. This may include assistance with finding accommodation and employment.
Applicants must provide evidence of the family relationship. They must also show that they have researched the NT labour market and made continuing efforts to find suitable employment.
Financial Capacity
Applicants are responsible for supporting themselves and their families after moving to the Northern Territory. The NT government does not provide financial assistance.
The following net asset amounts are provided as settlement guidance:
| Family composition | Suggested minimum net assets |
| Individual applicant | AU$35,000 |
| Applicant and spouse | AU$50,000 |
| Applicant, spouse and one child | AU$60,000 |
| Applicant, spouse and two children | AU$65,000 |
How to Apply for NT Nomination
Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest through the Australian Government’s SkillSelect system. They must then lodge a separate nomination application through the MigrationNT online portal.
The main steps are:
- Check the Australian Government’s skilled visa requirements.
- Check the conditions for the relevant NT nomination stream.
- Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.
- Apply separately for Northern Territory nomination.
- Wait for MigrationNT to assess the application.
- If nominated, receive an invitation through SkillSelect.
- Submit the visa application through ImmiAccount.
- Wait for the Department of Home Affairs to make a decision.
The NT nomination application fee is AU$300, plus GST where applicable. The fee is non-refundable.
Required documents may include a skills assessment, passport, English test result, CV, qualifications, SkillSelect EOI, points breakdown, employment evidence and proof of residence.
Applicants must also write a commitment letter explaining why they want to live in the Northern Territory. The letter must discuss employment prospects, accommodation, living costs and the applicant’s plan to remain in the territory for at least three years. It must be written in the applicant’s own words and cannot be longer than two pages.
Nomination Does Not Guarantee a Visa or Employment
The Northern Territory government only decides whether to nominate an applicant. The Department of Home Affairs makes the final visa decision.
A nomination is not an offer of employment. Occupations appearing on an NT migration list are not job vacancies, and successful applicants remain responsible for finding their own work and accommodation.
MigrationNT has also warned that it cannot guarantee a nomination before an applicant’s current visa expires. People in Australia must ensure they remain lawfully in the country while waiting for a decision.
Applicants who receive a visa invitation following nomination must lodge their visa application within 60 calendar days. They must also be prepared to honour their commitment to live and work in the Northern Territory for at least three years.