The Northern Territory is looking to its international student community to help attract the next wave of students, with applications opening for the 2027 Study NT Student Ambassador Program.
The program, which has been running since 2016, is one of the longest-established international student ambassador initiatives operated by an Australian state or territory government. It recruits up to 20 students each year from universities, vocational education and training providers, schools and English language colleges.
Around 200 international students have participated since its establishment, with the program offering a combination of professional development, community engagement and opportunities to promote the Territory as a study destination.
The premise is straightforward. Students who have experienced living and studying in the NT are often better placed to explain its attractions, challenges and opportunities than any marketing campaign. Their personal stories can help prospective students understand what studying in Darwin and the wider Territory actually looks like.
For the NT, that student-to-student advocacy is an important part of building its international education profile, particularly as it seeks to attract a greater share of Australia’s international student market.
Ambassadors participate in monthly professional development sessions covering public speaking, leadership, networking and social media. They also volunteer at professional, cultural and community events throughout the year, developing connections beyond their education providers and classrooms.
Minister for International Education, Migration and Population Robyn Cahill said personal recommendations from students were among the most effective ways of promoting the Territory.
“The Northern Territory is the fastest growing destination for international students in Australia. We want to see more international students studying in the Territory and to grow our international education and training sector, and the Student Ambassador program is an important part in achieving this,” Minister Cahill said.
Cahill said the program also reflected the reciprocal nature of international education, providing students with opportunities to develop professional skills, networks and leadership capabilities while studying in the Territory.
That two-way proposition is worth highlighting. International education is not simply about attracting students to fill classrooms or contribute to export earnings. The experience students have while they are here, the connections they establish and the opportunities available to them are equally important to the long-term reputation of a destination.
The Territory says international education is its second-largest services export and sixth-largest revenue sector, making it an important component of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s economic rebuilding agenda.
The ambassador program provides a relatively modest but practical way of connecting that economic ambition with the student experience.
For 2026 ambassador Tania Cortez, from Latitude College, the benefits have extended well beyond representing the Territory at events.
Cortez said the program had strengthened her communication, writing and professional skills while providing opportunities to participate in volunteering, community activities and events.
More significantly, she said it had helped establish a sense of belonging.
“Most importantly, the program has helped me build a strong sense of community and reminded me that Darwin is not just where we study, but a place we can now call home,” she said.
That sense of belonging is an important part of the international student experience, particularly for destinations such as the NT that are competing with larger, more established education centres.
A student who feels connected to their community is more likely to become an advocate for the destination, both during their studies and after returning home. In that respect, the ambassador program is doing more than promoting the NT. It is helping build the relationships and experiences that underpin its reputation.
Applications for the 2027 Study NT Student Ambassador Program are now open to international students currently studying in the Northern Territory.
Applications close Monday 23 November 2026.
Further information and applications are available at Study NT.
