State Nomination
Northern Territory Nomination Opens Today with 1,850 Places for 2026–27
The Northern Territory nomination program opened today with 1,850 places, up from 1,650 last year. Subclass 190 remains at 850 places while subclass 491 increases to 1,000. Onshore and selected offshore streams are open, but the offshore Priority Occupation stream remains closed to new applications.
The Northern Territory Government has confirmed receipt of its full 2026–27 General Skilled Migration allocation and reopened nomination applications on 21 August 2026. The Territory has 1,850 places, 200 more than in 2025–26, with the entire increase assigned to subclass 491.
How many nomination places does the NT have?
| Visa subclass | 2025–26 | 2026–27 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 190 | 850 | 850 | No change |
| Subclass 491 | 800 | 1,000 | +200 |
| Total | 1,650 | 1,850 | +200 (about 12.1%) |
The NT's 1,000 subclass 491 places are the largest subclass 491 allocation of any Australian state or territory this year. An allocation is the maximum number of new primary applicants the NT may nominate during the program year. It is not 1,850 invitations issued today and does not guarantee a visa grant after nomination.
Who can apply today?
The official opening covers all onshore streams and selected offshore streams. Applicants must meet the relevant stream criteria when lodging. A person will generally be ineligible if they or a migrating dependant currently lives in another Australian state or territory.
| Applicant location | Stream | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Onshore | NT Graduates stream | Open |
| Onshore | NT Residents stream | Open |
| Offshore | NT Priority Occupation stream | Closed to new applications |
| Offshore | NT Job Offer stream | Open |
| Offshore | NT Family stream | Open |
What should onshore applicants note?
- Employment relied on for nomination will generally need to be full-time or equivalent to at least 35 hours per week.
- The employer will generally need a record of trading in the NT for at least 12 months and must pay a market salary.
- Remote work for an employer outside the NT will generally not meet the employment requirement unless the role services NT clients.
- Employer support should explain local recruitment efforts and why the applicant is the most suitable person or important to ongoing operations.
- A subclass 190 applicant will generally need to demonstrate a stronger connection to the NT than to any other jurisdiction.
What should offshore applicants know?
Offshore applicants will generally be considered only for subclass 491 and need at least two years of post-qualification work experience in the nominated occupation during the last five years. The Job Offer stream requires a verifiable offer in the nominated occupation from an organisation that has generally operated actively in the NT for at least 12 months.
The Family stream requires an eligible relative who is usually resident in the NT and has generally lived there for at least 12 months. Applicants also need relationship evidence, settlement support and evidence of sustained efforts to seek employment in the Territory.
Does the larger allocation make subclass 190 easier?
Not necessarily. The subclass 190 allocation remains unchanged at 850; all 200 additional places are for subclass 491. MigrationNT considers employment prospects, long-term commitment, the relevant stream and the supporting evidence. Meeting published criteria does not guarantee nomination.
What should candidates watch next?
- Whether MigrationNT publishes actual first-round nomination or invitation numbers.
- Whether early outcomes relate to subclass 190 or 491 and which onshore or offshore streams are represented.
- When the Priority Occupation stream reopens to new applications.
- Whether official occupation, points, ranking or processing-volume data becomes available.