The Northern Territory is set to welcome more skilled migrants in 2025–26, with the Australian Government confirming its full allocation for the upcoming General Skilled Migration Program and the NT emerging as one of the few jurisdictions to receive an increase.
The Territory has been granted 1,650 nomination places, up from 1,600 last year. This includes:
- 850 nominations for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- 800 nominations for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations Robyn Cahill said the boost couldn’t come at a better time, saying “Workforce shortages are being experienced across both public and private sectors, and it is critical that Territory businesses can find the workers they need now and into the future.”
Cahill emphasised that migration remains central to the Territory’s recovery — contributing to population stability, supporting economic growth, and helping fill persistent skill shortages across remote and regional communities.
She also highlighted the NT Government’s advocacy efforts earlier this year at the national Ministerial Migration Roundtable in Melbourne, where she pushed for stronger, more flexible regional migration settings.
“The Northern Territory is one of few jurisdictions to receive an increase, and it demonstrates our government’s success in advocating for migration programs that will support Territory growth,” she said.
With the NT continuing to face ongoing workforce challenges, the government says the goal is to attract skilled migrants while still keeping local workers at the centre of hiring policies.
“The Northern Territory Government remains committed to prioritising jobs for Territorians first, then workers from interstate, before businesses seek workers from overseas.”
All streams of the NT’s nomination program will officially open on 24 November 2025, giving businesses, skilled workers and migration agents clarity ahead of the new program year.
Further information is available here.
