NT Skilled Migration Report (June 2025): Top Jobs & Visa Trends

The Northern Territory (NT) continues to be a leading destination for skilled migrants, driven by its unique regional economy and the need to address persistent workforce shortages. This information is based on the Department of Home Affairs’ Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report, current as of 30 June 2025. It provides the latest insights for prospective visa applicants and existing visa holders. The data indicates consistent visa grants in key industries and is crucial for those seeking a state nomination for permanent and provisional visas. From our extensive experience, understanding these factors is the first step toward a successful visa application.

Northern Territory Skilled Migration Overview

As of 30 June 2025, the Northern Territory granted 1,020 primary skilled visa applications, a significant 30.7% increase from the previous year. This reflects the Territory's ongoing efforts to fill critical skill gaps and attract skilled migrants. The NT government participates in Australia’s skilled migration programme, offering opportunities for skilled migrants to obtain permanent residence. The Northern Territory Government's proactive approach is a key reason many skilled migrants are choosing to make the NT their new home.

In-Demand Occupations & Key Employment Sectors

According to the June 2025 Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report, demand for skilled workers remains strong across several key Northern Territory industry sectors:

• Health Care and Social Assistance: 280 grants (+118.6%)
• Construction: 160 grants (+91.6%)
• Accommodation and Food Services: 110 grants (+34.1%)
• Other Services: 140 grants (+2.3%)
• Education and Training: 60 grants (+31.9%)
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services: 60 grants (-1.6%)

These figures highlight significant opportunities in healthcare, construction, and hospitality, reflecting the Territory’s focus on building a resilient and skilled workforce. The top nominated occupations for primary applications granted in the Northern Territory during the 2024–25 program year reflect demand across healthcare, trades, and education:

• Resident Medical Officer (253112)
• Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
• Child Care Worker (421111)
• Motor Mechanic (General) (321211)
• Aged or Disabled Carer (423111)
• Mechanical Engineering Technician (312512)
• Welder (First Class) (322313)
• Hairdresser (391111)
• Chef (351311)
• Cook (351411)
• Diesel Motor Mechanic (321212)
• Primary School Teacher (241213)
• Painting Trades Worker (332211)
• Retail Supervisor (621511)
• General Practitioner (253111)
  

This data shows a clear trend: the Northern Territory is prioritising skilled professionals in healthcare, education, and trades, while continuing to address demand in community services and hospitality. The Territory Nomination Program plays a critical role in filling these needs and provides skilled migration pathways for eligible applicants.

Top Source Countries for Skilled Migrants

The Northern Territory continues to attract a diverse group of skilled migrants, with the highest number of primary visa grants coming from:

• Philippines: 240 grants.
• India: 140 grants.
• United Kingdom: 80 grants.
• Sri Lanka: 50 grants.
• Nepal: 40 grants.
• Indonesia: 40 grants.
• South Africa: 30 grants.
• Vietnam: 30 grants.
• China: 30 grants.
• Fiji: 30 grants.
• United States of America: 30 grants.
• Zimbabwe: 20 grants.
• Japan: 20 grants.
• France: 20 grants.
• Ireland, Republic of: 20 grants.

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If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Australian Migration Lawyers for a consultation.

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Skilled Visa Pathways in the Northern Territory

For those looking to move to the Northern Territory, aligning your skills with the right visa subclass can significantly improve your prospects. You might be wondering about the specific requirements for different visa types. Here is a breakdown of the key pathways available for skilled professionals.

Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

The subclass 190 visa is a permanent residence pathway for skilled workers who have been nominated by the Northern Territory government. To be eligible, applicants must have a nominated occupation on the Territory’s current occupation list and meet other requirements from the Department of Home Affairs, including a full migration skills assessment and competent English language skills. In some cases, the NT government may also require evidence of a continuous period of residency and employment in the Territory prior to the visa application.

Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

The subclass 491 visa is a five-year provisional visa for skilled workers who are willing to live and work in the Northern Territory. The subclass 491 visa offers a clear pathway to permanent residency, usually after at least three years, provided you meet specific regional work and residence requirements. This is an excellent option for those seeking opportunities in regional Australia. Applicants for the 491 visa can be either nominated by the Northern Territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative who is a long-term resident of the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory family stream has its own set of criteria, and the Northern Territory resident applicant must meet specific financial capacity minimum values.

Employer-Sponsored Visa Pathways

The report highlights the importance of employer sponsorship, with employer-sponsored visas being the most common pathway for skilled workers transitioning from temporary visas to permanent residence. This includes the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa, which offers a streamlined path to a permanent visa.

Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (now known as the Skills in Demand (SID) visa programme as of 7 December 2024)

The new SID visa is granted to enable employers to address labour shortages by sponsoring skilled workers. It offers three streams including Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Labour Agreement and provides a clear pathway to permanent residency for all applicants. A verifiable job offer from an NT employer is critical for this visa, and you must also meet the following requirements:

• You must be employed in your nominated or related occupation for at least two years.
• The employment must be on a full-time basis.

It is important to understand the latest changes to the visa framework. The new Skills in Demand (SID) visa, which replaces the former Subclass 482 visa, is a key pathway for many skilled migrants. For those seeking a long-term basis for employment, this visa offers a clear route to a permanent visa.

Understanding the Migration Points Test and Skills Assessment

The Australian Government's migration points test is a key component of the skilled visa process. Your score depends on factors such as your age, English proficiency, and work experience. You may also gain additional points for a state nomination or a partner's skills.

A migration skills assessment is a mandatory part of the process for many skilled visa types. This verifies that your qualifications and skills meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. It is carried out by a relevant assessing authority. From our experience, it is vital to apply for this early as the process can take some time. We can provide evidence of our expertise in assisting with a skills assessment for your migration application.

The Importance of a Skills Assessment

A valid skills assessment is a mandatory requirement for both the subclass 190 and 491 visas. This assessment, conducted by an approved assessing authority, verifies that your skills and qualifications meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. You will need to provide evidence to support your claims in your Expression of Interest (EOI) and visa application. You should be prepared to respond promptly if an invitation to apply is issued, as the timeframe is typically very short.

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The Role of Skilled Employment in Your Application

Your skilled employment is a critical component of your nomination application. For many applicants, you must demonstrate genuine and sustained efforts to obtain employment in the NT. This is a key factor, as the NT government wants to be sure you have the ability and commitment to successfully settle in the region. Some applicants may be required to meet a six-month work experience requirement in their nominated occupation or a closely related skilled occupation to be deemed skilled. This work experience should be at a skill level of 1, 2, or 3, according to the ANZSCO unit group classification. A qualifying employer is one who can support your claims, and you will need to provide evidence to support your application. This may include a verifiable job offer, detailed statements from your current employer, and records of your sustained efforts to secure employment. Demonstrating a connection to the NT job market is paramount.

Key Eligibility Requirements for NT Government Nomination

Securing a Northern Territory state nomination is not always straightforward. Here is a breakdown of the key criteria you will need to meet:

• Skills Assessment: You must hold a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation, issued by the relevant assessing authority approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
• English Language: You must provide evidence that you meet the minimum English language requirements. This typically involves an English test such as PTE Academic or IELTS.
• Work Experience: Some applicants may be required to demonstrate relevant work experience gained in Australia or overseas, depending on the visa stream.
• Occupation List: Your occupation must be featured on the Northern Territory Skilled Occupation List (NT SOL) or a similar list published by the NT Government.

If you are an eligible international student who has successfully completed study at a recognised NT-based institution, you may be able to apply under the graduate stream. This provides a pathway for NT graduates to secure a provisional or permanent visa, encouraging them to live and work in the Territory after their studies. For these applicants, meeting the NT nomination criteria is a crucial step.

Specific Documents Required

To be successful in your application, you must provide a range of documents. These include:

• A certified copy of your skills assessment.
• Your English language test results (PTE Academic, IELTS, etc.).
• A copy of your visa grant notice and a copy of your current visa.
• Evidence of paid employment, such as payslips, employment contracts, and tax documents.

If you are relying on a job offer, your employment contract must be robust. It must include your job title, full names of both the employer and the employee, business details, and a clear description of your duties performed. It is also important that the contract specifies your gross and net pay, leave entitlements, and other conditions of your employment. This is particularly important for those in the health care sector with a contracted medical practitioner agreement or those in the education sector with similar employment contracts.

Take the Next Step: Get in Touch with Australian Migration Lawyers

Australian Migration Lawyers can help you ensure that your employment contracts meet all the requirements and provide advice on what other evidence is needed, such as payslips or bank statements, to demonstrate paid employment. We have the relevant tools to help you gather all the information and prepare a comprehensive application for your chosen stream.

For a successful application, you must provide a detailed statement explaining your circumstances and how you meet the relevant criteria. You must also provide evidence of your financial resources and a genuine commitment to living and working in the Northern Territory for at least two years. It is worth noting that for some temporary visas, additional work experience is required.