The Northern Territory Government will reopen its General Skilled Migration (GSM) nomination portal on 24 November following confirmation of its full 2025-26 allocation—850 places for Subclass 190 visas and 800 for Subclass 491 visas. Both onshore and offshore applicants can now lodge Expressions of Interest across all streams, ending a six-week pause that began when interim places were exhausted in October.
Territory officials say priority will go to candidates already living and working in the NT, particularly in healthcare, education and construction, but offshore invitations will be issued to occupations on the Critical Sector List. The reopening coincides with major infrastructure projects in Darwin Harbour and the US Marine Rotational Force build-out, which have intensified demand for electricians, nurses and civil engineers.
![Northern Territory Skilled-Migration Portal Re-opens Today After Allocation Boost]()
Migration advisers caution that competition will be fierce despite the increased quota, noting that the NT requires a higher level of demonstrated commitment than most states—including at least a three-year pledge to live and work in the Territory after visa grant. English and points thresholds remain aligned with federal minimums, but applicants with regional study or outback work experience score extra points under the Territory Benefit test.
Employers planning 2026 project mobilisations should file nomination requests quickly: last year the NT filled 70 percent of its allocation within eight weeks. HR teams must also factor in housing shortages in Darwin and Palmerston when budgeting assignment packages, as weekly rents are now 18 percent above the five-year average.
Territory officials say priority will go to candidates already living and working in the NT, particularly in healthcare, education and construction, but offshore invitations will be issued to occupations on the Critical Sector List. The reopening coincides with major infrastructure projects in Darwin Harbour and the US Marine Rotational Force build-out, which have intensified demand for electricians, nurses and civil engineers.
Migration advisers caution that competition will be fierce despite the increased quota, noting that the NT requires a higher level of demonstrated commitment than most states—including at least a three-year pledge to live and work in the Territory after visa grant. English and points thresholds remain aligned with federal minimums, but applicants with regional study or outback work experience score extra points under the Territory Benefit test.
Employers planning 2026 project mobilisations should file nomination requests quickly: last year the NT filled 70 percent of its allocation within eight weeks. HR teams must also factor in housing shortages in Darwin and Palmerston when budgeting assignment packages, as weekly rents are now 18 percent above the five-year average.
