Northern Territory (NT) is continuing to expand opportunities for skilled workers in the 2026-27 financial year, with an allocation of 1,850 state nomination places under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, an increase of 200 places compared with 2025-26.
This is a positive development for applicants considering Northern Territory as part of their nomination strategy for the Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 visa.
Northern Territory Allocated 1,850 Nomination Places
For the 2026-27 financial year, Northern Territory’s total allocation of 1,850 places is divided between two skilled visa subclasses:
- 850 places for the Skilled Nominated visa - Subclass 190
- 1,000 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa - Subclass 491
Notably, with 1,000 places allocated to Subclass 491, Northern Territory has received the highest Subclass 491 allocation of all Australian states and territories.
Compared with the 2025-26 financial year, NT’s total allocation has increased by 200 places, creating additional opportunities for applicants whose skills align with the workforce needs of the Territory.
Why Has Northern Territory Increased Its Skilled Migration Allocation?
The increase in allocation is not only intended to expand the size of the nomination program, but also to support Northern Territory’s economic and workforce development needs, contribute to population growth, address labour shortages across regional Australia, and provide the workforce required for key economic projects.
The Northern Territory economy is forecast to grow by 5.8% in 2026-27. In this context, attracting and retaining skilled workers plays an important role in meeting workforce demand and supporting the Territory’s long-term growth.
Although the number of nomination places has increased, Northern Territory’s priority order remains:
Workers in the Territory → Workers from other Australian states → Overseas workers.
The Northern Territory skilled nomination application portal officially opened at 8:00 am on 21 August 2026.
If you are considering a Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 visa through the Northern Territory, Skill Direct can help assess your circumstances and identify a pathway that may suit you.
