The Australian Government is due to release its full allocation of nominations to each State and Territory Government for the 2025-26 General Skilled Migration (GSM) program year. In the meantime, it has provided a small interim allocation to each jurisdiction.
As a result, the NT Government has a limited number of Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa nominations available to eligible onshore applicants with certain visa deadlines falling before 31 December 2025.
Who Is Eligible To Be Nominated In The Interim Period In The Northern Territory?
These interim nominations will be allocated to onshore applicants who meet the NT Graduate or NT Resident eligibility criteria, and who have a specified visa deadline.
The NT Government grants nominations for the Subclass 491 visa to individuals who meet the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) immigration requirements and can demonstrate strong employment outcomes in the NT and a long-term commitment to the NT workforce. The NT Government considers a range of factors in deciding applications for nomination.
NT Graduate Eligibility Requirements
International student graduates who have studied in the NT must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
- have successfully completed one or more qualifications after studying on a full-time basis in the NT, at an NT-based institution for two years (four semesters) in a single tertiary course or a set of nested tertiary courses; and
- demonstrate genuine and sustained efforts and progress towards obtaining employment from an NT employer in their nominated occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.
Other NT Resident Eligibility Requirements
An NT resident applicant refers to those on temporary visas with full work rights, who are currently residing in the NT.
NT resident applicants are eligible for a Subclass 491 nomination if they meet the following requirements:
- demonstrate that they have been residing in the NT forat least 12 consecutive months;
- demonstrate that none of their migrating dependants are residing in another part of Australia; and
- demonstrate full-time employment in the NT in their nominated or related occupation forat least 6 consecutive monthsimmediately before to applying for NT nomination in a position that is available for at least a further 12 months.
Specified Visa Deadline
Applicants must also have a specified visa deadline falling before 31 December 2025, as follows:
- visa expires before 31 December 2025 and is not eligible for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa;
- applicant is due to become ineligible for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program due to turning 45 years of age before 31 December 2025;
- applicant has a birthday falling before 31 December 2025, resulting in their skilled migration points for the Subclass 491 visa falling below 65, which would result in them becoming ineligible for the visa.
In Conclusion
Onshore applicants who meet the above requirements should lodge a Subclass 491 application for NT nomination as soon as possible.
To summarise, to qualify for an interim nomination allocation in the NT, an applicant must:
- meet the eligibility criteria as an NT Graduate of NT Resident; and
- have a specified visa deadline due to fall before 31 December 2025.
At this stage, the 2025-26 NT skilled migration program remains closed to other applicants. The program will re-open once the NT Government receives its full allocation of nominations from the Australian Government.
Get More Information
Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates and additional information.
Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about applying for NT nomination, including the process and requirements, and to conduct an assessment of your eligibility under the program.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
In conclusion, we note that the above discussion provides an overview on the update provided by the NT Government on the allocation of interim GSM nominations for 2025-26.
Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice before you proceed with applying for NT nomination, as being fully informed about the process and requirements that apply will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your application, and thus lessen the chance that it will be refused. A migration professional can help you to do this.
For up-to-date advice on how to apply for NT skilled migration nomination, book your confidential consultation with our NT specialist Anke Nagel or any of our experienced migration agents in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide.