2025-26 Northern Territory Skilled Migration Program

NT received full allocations for the 2025-26 Skilled Migration Program

The Northern Territory received a total of 1,650 places for the 2025-26 Skilled Migration Program. This is 50 places higher than last year’s allocation.

Here’s how this allocation is divided:

• Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa: 850 places 

• Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa: 800 places

• Total allocation: 1,650 places 

The state will open to new applications on November 24 2025, both for offshore and onshore.

Before applying, make sure that you meet both the standard requirements from the Department of Home Affairs and the Northern Territory’s nomination criteria.

Curious to know more about NT’s skilled migration program?

Below is an in-depth guide to applying for NT state nomination.

Need expert help on navigating the state nomination application process? Our migration experts are here to help you!

The Northern Territory’s Skilled Occupation List is called the Northern Territory Skilled Occupation List.

This is updated annually, and it shows which jobs are in demand in the territory. If your occupation is on this list, you have a stronger chance of being considered for NT nomination.

Access the Northern Territory Skilled Occupation List 2025 at the end of this article. 

Meeting the NT requirements does not guarantee a nomination. But NT does look for certain things when choosing applicants.

They look for applicants who have strong employment prospects in the NT and who can show they plan to live and work in the NT for the long term.

Now you can apply for NT nomination with clarity and ease

Know which exact documents and requirements can strengthen your application. 

And most importantly, skip the stressful process of applying, gathering documents, and finding visa-related answers.

Our expert migration agents are here to answer your questions and guide you through your NT nomination application

Ready to apply with confidence and ease?

To be invited, you must meet the following requirements: 

Age

• You must be under 45 at the time of nomination.

Skills assessment

• You need a valid skills assessment for your nominated occupation.

Occupation

• Your occupation must be on the current Skilled Occupation List.

• If you are offshore and applying through the NT Priority Occupation stream, your occupation must be on the NT Offshore Migration Occupations List.

English

• You must have at least Competent English.

Points test

• You need at least 65 points in the skilled migration points test.

Commitment to live in NT

If you accept an NT nomination, you agree to:

• Live and work in the NT for at least three years.

• Update the NT Government on your visa status.

• Keep your contact details up to date.

• Join NT Government surveys.

Stream-specific requirements

• You must meet NT’s requirements for your stream.

Depending on your background–for example, whether you’re a graduate in NT or a resident in NT—your pathway and your requirements will be different.

That’s basically what “streams” mean. They group people based on their situation, and provide requirements for each group.

Here are the main NT skilled migration streams:

NT Graduate Stream

If you studied in the Northern Territory, this stream is for you. Your requirements depend on whether you’re applying for the 190 or 491 visa, and whether you’re 35 or under or over 35.

NT Graduate Stream - 190 visa requirements

To be considered, you must have:

• Studied full-time in the NT for 2 academic years at an NT institution.

• Completed your course (or nested courses).

• Shown real efforts to work in your nominated occupation in the NT. (This can be actual employment, a job offer, or ongoing job applications plus industry engagement.)

Note: If you studied interstate before moving to the NT, you’re not eligible for the 190 under this stream.

If you’re under 35 years old, you must:

• Have lived in the NT for at least 6 continuous months after finishing your course while holding a 485 visa (or its bridging visa).

• Be working, have a recent job offer, or show strong job-seeking efforts in your nominated or closely related occupation.

If you’re over 35 years old, you don’t need a 6-month NT residency requirement. 

NT Graduate Stream - 491 visa requirements

To be considered, you must:

• Meet the same 2-year NT study requirement.

• Show genuine, ongoing efforts to work in your nominated or related occupation — this can be applications, membership in professional groups, industry contacts, or any relevant work you’ve done.

NT Resident Stream

If you’re already living and working in the Northern Territory, this stream is for you. Your requirements depend on whether you’re applying for the 190 or 491 visa.

NT Resident Stream – 190 visa requirements

To be considered, you must have:

• Lived in the NT for at least 2 consecutive years before you apply (and still be living there).

• Worked full-time in the NT for at least 2 years in your nominated or related occupation.

• A job that will continue for at least another 12 months.

• Employment that meets the NT’s additional work requirements for residents.

Remote Work Exemption (by exception only)

You may be considered if you:

• Have lived in the NT for 2 consecutive years and still live there.

• Worked full-time for at least 2 years in a remote NT area (outside Greater Darwin).

• Have ongoing employment available for at least another 12 months.

• Meet the extra employment rules for NT residents.

NT Resident Stream – 491 visa requirements

To be considered, you must have:

• Lived in the NT for at least 12 consecutive months before you apply (and still be living there).

• Worked full-time in the NT for at least 6 consecutive months in your nominated or related occupation.

• A job that will continue for at least another 12 months.

• Employment that meets the NT’s work requirements for residents.

Remote Work Exemption (by exception only)

To be considered, you must have:

• Lived in the NT for 12 consecutive months and still live there.

• Worked full-time for at least 6 months in a remote NT area (outside Greater Darwin).

• An ongoing employment available for at least another 12 months.

There are strict conditions that apply when it comes to applying for NT nomination.

You are not eligible for nomination if you or any of your dependents:

• live interstate,

• are on a student visa and have not completed your studies

And unlike other states, the NT does not prioritise you based on points.

Have peace of mind and know your eligibility 

Missing strict conditions like this can impact your application. 

You can skip the uncertainty of reading through different resources or wondering whether your job or study experience can qualify you for NT nomination.

Have peace of mind that you’re taking the right steps.

Our migration experts are always here to assess your eligibility.

For NT’s 2025-26 Skilled Migration Program, the minimum English requirement is Competent English.

You can prove that you have Competent English by taking any of the following approved English Language Tests and getting the minimum scores required for each.

Required English scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025

On 7 August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs changed the minimum English scores required for  Australian visas. Depending on the test you’re taking, the scores you’ll need may have changed.

The required IELTS scores remain the same.

Know more about the new English requirements for Australian visas.

Book an IELTS test.

1. Check your visa eligibility

Make sure you meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements: age, English level, skills assessment, and points test.

2. Check your NT nomination eligibility

Make sure you meet the requirements for either the Graduate or Resident stream.

3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Lodge your EOI in SkillSelect.

4. Apply for NT Government nomination

Submit your application online through the NT application system.

5. Wait for nomination

If you’re nominated, you’ll get a SkillSelect invitation to apply for your visa.

6. Apply for your visa

Go back to the Department of Home Affairs website and apply through your Immi account.

7. Visa decision

The Department of Home Affairs will let you know the outcome of your visa application.

8. Meet your NT commitments

If your visa is granted, you must meet your long-term commitments to living and working in the NT.

Whether you need help:

• Lodging an EOI and state nomination application, or

• Applying for a skilled visa after nomination

Our team brings in their migration expertise and years of experience to guide you through the best next steps of your migration journey.

Read more visa success stories

How much does an NT nomination cost?

The application fee for nomination is AU$300 plus GST (if applicable) for both subclass 190 and 491 nomination applications.

Is the fee refundable?

No, the nomination fee is non-refundable.  

How does NT prioritise applications?

Applications are usually assessed in the order they are received. Priority may be given if:

• You are living in the NT and your visa expires in the next 30 days.

• You will turn 45 in the next 30 days.

• You will lose migration points (falling below 65 points) in the next 30 days, which could make you ineligible for a 491 visa.

How do I check my application status?

You can check your application status by logging in to your online application. MigrationNT may contact you (or your authorised representative) via the message portal if they need more information. You will also get an email notification once a decision is made.

Below is the list of current high-priority jobs in the Northern Territory (released: 28 October 2025):

Melbourne

Liping Helen Shan (MARN 0961842)

Fluent in English and Mandarin
Helen has been a registered Migration Agent since 2009. With a background in both migration and education consulting, she has helped countless clients with Student, Skilled, Visitor, Family Sponsored, and State Nomination visas.

Book an appointment with Helen

Perth

Jihang Michael Li (MARN 1802068)

Fluent in English and Mandarin

Michael has been a registered Migration Agent since 2018. Originally trained as a Nuclear Engineer, he now specialises in helping clients with a wide range of visas. He combines his technical skills with a strong legal foundation as he completes his Juris Doctor at UWA.

Book an appointment with Michael