Northern Territory Skilled Migration Update

The NT 190 and 491 requirements outline the eligibility criteria used by Northern Territory migration authorities to nominate skilled applicants under the State Sponsored 190 visa and the State Sponsored Regional 491 visa. These NT 190 and 491 requirements apply to NT Graduates, NT Residents, and Offshore applicants across multiple nomination streams.

NT State Sponsored Subclass 190 Requirements

DOHA Requirement 190

To be eligible for NT nomination under Subclass 190, applicants must:

• Meet all Department of Home Affairs requirements

• Be under 45 years old at the time of nomination, invitation, and visa decision

• Hold a valid skills assessment in the nominated occupation

• Meet the skilled migration points test

• Demonstrate competent English

• Meet health and character requirements

• Submit an EOI and be selected for nomination

Graduate Stream Requirement 190

International student graduates may qualify if they:

1. Study Requirement

• Successfully completed one or more qualifications in the NT

• Studied full-time for 2 academic years (4 semesters)

• Completed at an NT-based institution

• Courses may be a single course or nested courses

2. Post-Study Living Requirement

• Lived in the NT for 6 continuous months immediately after course completion

• Must have held a TR 485 visa or relevant bridging visa during this period

3. Employment or Job-Seeking Requirement

Applicants must either:

• Be currently employed or hold a recent job offer in their nominated or closely related occupation,or

• Demonstrate genuine and sustained efforts to obtain skilled NT employment, through:

  • Job applications over time

  • Positive industry contacts

  • Relevant association memberships

Applicants Over 35 (Not Eligible for TR 485)

Eligible if they:

• Meet the NT two-year study requirement

• Are currently employed, have a job offer, or show genuine sustained job-seeking efforts in their nominated or closely related occupation

NT Resident Requirement 190

NT residents may be considered for subclass 190 if they:

General Criteria

• Have lived in the NT for 2 consecutive years immediately before applying

• Continue to live in the NT

• Demonstrate 2 years of full-time employment in the NT in the nominated or related occupation

• Employment must be available for at least 12 more months

• Must meet additional NT employment criteria

Remote Work Exemption – By Exception Only

Applicants may qualify if they:

• Have lived in the NT for 2 consecutive years

• Worked full time for 2 years in a remote NT area

• Have ongoing employment for at least 12 more months

• Employer provides a letter confirming:

  • Genuine labour market testing

  • Why the applicant is the most suitable candidate

  • Why continued employment is critical to the business

Remote areas include all regions outside Greater Darwin.

NT State Sponsored Regional Subclass 491 Visa Requirements

DOHA Requirement 491

To be eligible for Subclass 491 nomination, applicants must:

• Meet Department of Home Affairs requirements

• Hold a valid skills assessment

• Submit an EOI

• Demonstrate competent English

• Meet health and character requirements

NT Graduates Stream 491

International student graduates may be considered if they:

• Completed 2 years of full-time study at an NT institution

• Demonstrated genuine and sustained efforts toward obtaining skilled NT employment

  • Job applications

  • Relevant employment

  • Industry contact evidence

  • Association memberships

Graduates must show progress toward employment both during and after studies.

NT Resident Stream 491

General Criteria

Applicants may qualify if they:

• Have lived in the NT for 12 consecutive months

• Continue residing in the NT

• Have worked full time for 6 consecutive months in their nominated or related occupation

• Have ongoing employment for the next 12 months

Remote Work Exemption – By Exception Only

Available if applicants:

• Have lived in the NT for 12 consecutive months

• Worked full time for 6 months in a remote NT area

• Have a further 12 months of available employment

• Employer must provide support letter confirming genuine recruitment efforts

Critical Sector Exemption – Rare, Case-by-Case Only

If applicants meet all general criteria but work outside their nominated occupation, they may be considered if employed full time for 6 months in:

• Energy

• Defence

• Agriculture

• Mining

• Health

• Aged or disability care

• Education and childcare

• Hospitality or tourism

• Construction

Employment must be ongoing for 12 months, with employer support letter provided.

Offshore Streams (491 Only)

Offshore applicants are primarily considered for the 491 visa and must:

• Have at least 2 years post-qualification experience in the last 5 years

• Show financial capacity to settle in the NT

• Commit to living and working long term in the NT

• Apply under one of the streams below

Offshore Stream – NT Priority Occupation Stream

Applicants must:

• Hold a full migration skills assessment

• Occupation must be listed on the NT Offshore Migration Occupations List (NTOMOL)

• Meet any additional occupation-specific work experience requirements

Offshore Stream – NT Job Offer Stream

Applicants must:

• Hold a verifiable job offer in their nominated occupation

• Job must be with an NT employer operating for at least 12 months

Offshore Stream – NT Family Stream

Applicants must:

• Have an eligible NT family member who is:

  • An Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen

  • Living in the NT for at least 12 months

• Provide statutory declaration confirming settlement support

• Show sustained NT job-seeking efforts, including job applications and market research

• Eligible relatives include:

  • Parent

  • Child or step-child

  • Sibling, step-sibling, adoptive sibling

  • Aunt/uncle, step or adoptive

  • Niece/nephew, step or adoptive

  • First cousin

  • Grandparent

Northern Territory 190 and 491 Nomination Update 2025-26

The NT Skilled Migration Program 2025-26 offers excellent opportunities for skilled workers looking to live and work in Northern Territory. To apply, review, or finalise your application, contact our migration team at migration6@racc.net.au and cc allison@racc.net.au.

Applicants who have already submitted an EOI and received an invitation can use the discount code RACCNT2025 to receive 40% off service fees — reducing the original $2,500 + GST fee to $1,500 + GST. Our migration specialists will guide you through each step to ensure a smooth and compliant application process.

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