Northern Territory Skilled Migration 2026-27 Closed, With Limited Exceptions
Updated: Oct 16
Last Updated: 13 October 2026
The Northern Territory (NT) Government has closed general nomination applications for the 2026-27 program year. Its nomination page, last updated 7 October 2026, states that it has received sufficient applications for the year.
The NT now accepts new applications only by exception. The exception covers onshore applicants who meet the NT Graduate or NT Resident criteria and have a visa or age deadline on or before 30 September 2027. The NT does not accept new offshore applications at this time.
The portal opened on 21 August 2026, after the NT received its 2026-27 allocation of 1,850 nominations.
Key takeaways
General NT nomination applications for the subclass 190 and 491 visas are closed for 2026-27.
Exceptions apply only to onshore NT Graduate and NT Resident applicants with a qualifying visa or age deadline.
All offshore streams are closed to new applications.
The NT Government cannot guarantee a nomination before a visa deadline.
Meeting an exception does not guarantee a nomination.
What Is the Current Status of NT Nomination for 2026-27?
The status has changed twice since the program year began.
20 August 2026: The NT Government confirmed its 2026-27 allocation of 1,850 nominations. That is 850 for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa and 1,000 for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa.
21 August 2026: The portal opened for all onshore streams and selected offshore streams.
7 October 2026: The NT nomination page states that the NT has received sufficient applications for 2026-27. New applications are now accepted by exception only.
The NT Government has not published a reopening date on its nomination page.
Who Can Still Apply for NT Nomination in 2026-27?
You can apply by exception only if you are onshore, you meet the NT Graduate or NT Resident criteria, and at least one of these applies:
Your substantive visa expires on or before 30 September 2027, and you are not eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).
You turn 45 on or before 30 September 2027, which makes you ineligible for the General Skilled Migration program.
Your birthday falls on or before 30 September 2027, and your age change takes your subclass 491 points below 65.
The NT Government states that it cannot guarantee nominations before visa deadlines. If your visa is close to expiry, get advice from a Registered Migration Agent or legal practitioner and stay lawful in Australia.
Check your points first with the skilled migration points calculator. Read the full criteria for each stream on the NT state nomination page.
What If You Do Not Meet an Exception?
You still have other pathways to consider.
Check other state and territory programs on the state and regional nomination page.
Check whether you can claim enough points for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), which needs no state nomination.
Look at employer sponsorship through the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) or the NT DAMA occupation list.
If you are a graduate, check your eligibility for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).
If you are over 35, read about visa options when you cannot apply for the 485 visa.
NT 2026-27 Skilled Migration Allocation
According to a Northern Territory Government media release dated 20 August 2026, the NT has secured 1,850 nominations under the 2026-27 General Skilled Migration program, an increase of 200 nominations compared with last year.
The 2026-27 allocation is made up of 850 nominations for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and 1,000 nominations for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). The 2025-26 program had 1,650 nominations, made up of 850 subclass 190 places and 800 subclass 491 places.
Program year | Source | 190 | 491 | Total |
2026-27 | NT Government media release | 850 | 1,000 | 1,850 |
2025-26 | Department of Home Affairs allocation data | 850 | 800 | 1,650 |
The increase is reflected in the subclass 491 allocation. The NT Government also states that the Territory received the highest number of subclass 491 nominations of any Australian jurisdiction.
Which NT Nomination Streams Exist, and Which Accept Applications?
The NT Government lists five General Skilled Migration nomination streams.
Onshore NT Graduates stream: exceptions only.
Onshore NT Residents stream: exceptions only.
Offshore NT Priority Occupation stream: closed to new applications.
Offshore NT Job Offer stream: closed to new applications.
Offshore NT Family stream: closed to new applications.
The NT Government states that it accepts no new applications under any offshore stream at this time. Offshore applicants are generally considered for subclass 491 nomination only.
The Priority Occupation stream uses the NT Offshore Migration Occupation List. Check the list now so you are ready if the stream reopens.
Offshore NT Job Offer Stream
This stream is not accepting new applications at this time. The criteria below apply if it reopens.
Offshore applicants under the NT Job Offer stream must have a verifiable job offer in their nominated occupation.
The job must be:
based in the Northern Territory
with an NT business or organisation
with an employer that has been actively operating in the NT for at least 12 months
The offer must also meet the relevant employment and documentation requirements listed by the NT Government.
Offshore NT Family Stream
This stream is not accepting new applications at this time. The criteria below apply if it reopens.
Offshore applicants under the NT Family stream must have an eligible family member in the Northern Territory.
You must provide a written statement or family tree diagram that clearly shows your relationship to the family member in the NT.
The family member must usually live in the NT, have been living in the NT for at least 12 months, and be willing and able to provide settlement support.
Applicants must also provide evidence of sustained efforts to seek employment in the NT, including research into the NT job market and records of applying for jobs or contacting NT employers.
What Employment Rules Apply to Onshore Applicants?
If you apply by exception, all employment you claim must meet the NT Government's employment requirements.
The job must be with an NT employer. It must be full-time, which means at least 35 hours per week. You can reach that total through more than one part-time position.
Most of your time in the role must be spent on tasks that match your nominated occupation.
The employer must have traded in the NT for at least 12 months.
You must receive a market salary.
Your employer must provide a letter of support. It must show genuine efforts to recruit locally and explain why you are the most suitable person for the role.
Remote work for an employer based outside the NT generally does not count, unless your duties involve servicing NT clients.
Serviced office or hot-desking positions are generally not considered favourably.
Key Eligibility Requirements for NT Nomination
Applicants must meet the minimum requirements for skilled migration, including:
being under 45 years of age at the time of nomination
having a valid skills assessment for the nominated occupation
having at least Competent English, unless a higher level is required by the relevant assessing, licensing, or registration body
obtaining at least 65 points in the skilled migration points test
demonstrating commitment to living and working in the Northern Territory
meeting the specific criteria for the selected NT nomination stream
Applicants must also ensure their nominated occupation is eligible under the relevant Australian Government skilled occupation list. Offshore applicants applying under the NT Priority Occupation stream must have an occupation on the Northern Territory Offshore Migration Occupations List, although this stream is currently closed to new applications.
NT Nomination Conditions and Applicant Responsibilities
The NT Government states that it decides whether an applicant is offered a nomination. Applicants should understand the following before applying:
Accepting NT nomination means committing to live and work in the NT for at least 3 years after visa grant.
NT nomination is not a job guarantee.
Occupations listed by the NT Government are not job vacancies.
Applicants are responsible for finding their own employment and accommodation.
The NT Government does not provide financial assistance.
The NT Government states that it does not issue release letters for transfer to other states or territories.
Financial Capacity Requirements
The NT Government states that skilled migrants are responsible for supporting themselves when they arrive in the Northern Territory.
The minimum net asset guidance listed by the NT Government is:
Individual applicant: AU$35,000
Applicant and spouse: AU$50,000
Applicant, spouse and one child: AU$60,000
Applicant, spouse and two children: AU$65,000
Applicants should research the cost of living in the NT and consider whether they have the financial capacity to settle.
How to Apply for NT Nomination
Follow these steps only if you meet an exception. The NT portal does not accept other new applications.
Before applying for NT nomination, applicants should:
Check the Australian Government skilled visa requirements.
Review the NT Government nomination eligibility criteria.
Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.
Submit an NT nomination application through the NT Government online application system.
If nominated, receive a SkillSelect invitation to apply for the visa.
Lodge the visa application through ImmiAccount.
Wait for the Department of Home Affairs to assess the visa application.
The NT Government does not grant the visa. Visa applications are assessed by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
Read the NT Government's how to apply page for the current document list.
Documents Required for NT Nomination
Applicants must provide supporting documents at the time of nomination application. Documents must generally be in English and submitted in PDF, DOC, or DOCX format.
Common documents include:
positive skills assessment
current CV or resume
qualification documents and academic transcripts
passport identity page
Australian visa evidence, if applicable
English test evidence, where required
SkillSelect EOI points breakdown
copy of the Expression of Interest lodged in SkillSelect
evidence for any additional points claimed
letter of commitment to the Northern Territory
The letter of commitment must be written in the applicant’s own words and should be no longer than two pages.
Short Answer: Is NT Nomination Open for 2026-27?
No. The NT Government closed general nomination applications for 2026-27 after receiving sufficient applications. It accepts new applications by exception only, from onshore NT Graduate and NT Resident applicants with a visa or age deadline on or before 30 September 2027.
Offshore applications are closed. Nomination is never guaranteed, and the NT Government cannot guarantee a decision before a visa deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northern Territory skilled migration open for 2026-27?
No. The NT Government received sufficient applications for 2026-27 and closed general applications. It accepts new applications only by exception from onshore applicants who meet the NT Graduate or NT Resident criteria and have a qualifying visa or age deadline.
Who can still apply for NT nomination?
Onshore applicants who meet the NT Graduate or NT Resident criteria can apply if their substantive visa expires on or before 30 September 2027 and they cannot get a 485 visa. They can also apply if they turn 45 on or before that date, or if a birthday drops their subclass 491 points below 65.
Can offshore applicants apply for NT nomination now?
No. The NT Government accepts no new applications under the Priority Occupation, Job Offer or Family streams at this time. Offshore applicants are generally considered for subclass 491 nomination only.
When will the NT nomination portal reopen?
The NT Government has not published a reopening date. Check its nomination page for updates.
Does meeting an exception guarantee nomination?
No. The NT Government decides who receives a nomination, and meeting the published criteria does not guarantee one. It also states that it cannot guarantee a nomination before a visa deadline.
Does NT nomination guarantee a visa?
No. The Department of Home Affairs assesses and grants the visa. The NT Government only decides whether to nominate you.
Migration Agent Support
RACC's registered migration agents (MARN 1572961, 1172003) assist applicants with skilled visa and NT nomination matters. This includes eligibility review, SkillSelect EOI guidance, document preparation and advice on options when a state program closes.
Important Note
This article is general information based on published NT Government guidance. It is not migration advice. Applicants should review the official NT Government and Department of Home Affairs requirements and seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent or Legal Practitioner where needed.
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