The Northern Territory has rolled out the welcome mat for a new cohort of international students, as the government positions international education as a key pillar in rebuilding the Territory’s economy and strengthening global ties.
More than 5,500 international students from over 60 countries studied in the NT in 2025, and hundreds more have now commenced their studies in 2026. Their arrival was marked at the annual International Student Welcome Reception at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, where students gathered alongside education providers, businesses and community organisations to celebrate the start of the academic year.
Northern Territory Minister for International Education, Migration and Population Robyn Cahill said international students play an important role not only in the Territory’s economy but also in community life.
“International students make a significant contribution to our community and our economy, and I am delighted to welcome the newest cohort of students who have made the choice to live and study in the Territory in 2026,” Cahill said.
The government has identified 2026 as a year focused on growth, certainty and security, with international education expected to support workforce needs while building stronger connections between the Territory and global markets.
Beyond the economic impact, Cahill emphasised the broader social contributions international students make.
“International students bolster our workforce, support community organisations through volunteering, share their culture and add to the vibrancy of Territory life,” she said.
As part of the welcome event, eight students were awarded Study NT Scholarships to support their first year or semester of study. The scholarships are designed to ease the financial pressure of studying abroad while encouraging students to pursue their education goals in the Territory.
Among the recipients was Airi Morita from the United States, who is studying a Doctor of Medicine at Flinders University. Morita said the Territory’s community-focused culture was a major factor in her decision to study there.
“Leaving Hawai’i was not an easy decision; however, I have come to realise that Darwin and the Northern Territory share many of the qualities that first shaped my desire to pursue medicine,” she said.
“The strong sense of community, cultural diversity, and commitment to caring for remote and underserved populations feel both familiar and deeply meaningful to me.”
Most scholarship recipients will study at Charles Darwin University across fields including pharmacy, nursing, speech pathology, occupational therapy and public health, while others will study ICT and related disciplines at the Canterbury Institute of Management.
The scholarship recipients are:
- Airi Morita (America) — Doctor of Medicine, Flinders University
- Chengyu Yang (China) — Doctor of Pharmacy, Charles Darwin University
- Junjie He (China) — Master of Nursing Practice, Charles Darwin University
- Muhammad Usama (Pakistan) — Master of Information & Communications Technology, Canterbury Institute of Management
- Panitraa Esvaran (Malaysia) — Master of Speech Pathology, Charles Darwin University
- Sk Mahedi Hasan Akash (Bangladesh) — Master of Social Work, Charles Darwin University
- Thi Thoi Dang (Vietnam) — Master of Public Health / Master of Health Research, Charles Darwin University
- Zhiyi Wu (China) — Master of Occupational Therapy, Charles Darwin University
As the new academic year gets underway, the NT government says it hopes the incoming cohort will continue to contribute to the Territory’s social fabric, workforce and global outlook.
“I look forward to seeing the contributions this year’s cohort will make to the Territory,” Cahill said, “and I wish them all the best in their academic and personal pursuits.”
