International student graduates who have studied in the NT will be eligible for a subclass 190 nomination if you have met the following criteria before applying for nomination:

• successfully completed one or more qualifications after studying in the NT, at an NT-based institution for two years in a single tertiary course or a set of nested tertiary courses, and
• lived in the NT for a period of at least six continuous months immediately after the date of completion* of your last qualification, while holding a visa that has no work limitations (graduates will be required to apply for a subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa to enable this); the time spent on a bridging visa associated with a subclass 485 visa application can be counted in the six month period, and
• demonstrated genuine and sustained efforts to obtain employment** from an NT employer in your nominated occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.

International student graduates who are unable to live in the NT for six months after completing two years of study in the NT will only be considered for a subclass 491 nomination. You must provide evidence of making genuine efforts to obtain employment** from an NT employer in their nominated occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.

You will be expected to demonstrate genuine efforts and progress towards being employed in the NT in your nominated occupation both during and after your studies. These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

* Date of completion is the date on which you were notified that you have met all academic course requirements. This is the date when the final exam results or notice of course completion were available or published.

** Genuine and sustained efforts to obtain employment can be demonstrated through evidence of a number of applications made over a period of time for jobs in relevant occupations in the NT, and other supporting evidence such as membership in relevant professional associations, or positive feedback from industry contacts in the NT.

An NT resident applicant includes those on temporary visas with work rights, currently residing in the NT.

NT resident applicants will be eligible for a subclass 190 nomination if you:

• demonstrate that you have been residing in the NT for at least two consecutive years immediately prior to application
• demonstrate that none of your migrating dependants are residing in another part of Australia, and
• demonstrate full-time employment in the NT in an eligible occupation continuously for at least two years immediately prior to applying for NT nomination and demonstrate the employment is available for at least a further 12 months.

NT resident applicants will be considered for a subclass 491 nomination if you meet the following requirements:

• applicants who started living in the NT prior to 1 July 2020, must:
  • demonstrate that you have been residing in the NT for at least six consecutive months immediately prior to application
  • demonstrate that none of your migrating dependants are residing in another part of Australia, and
  • demonstrate full-time employment in the NT in an eligible occupation for at least six consecutive months immediately prior to applying for NT nomination and demonstrate the employment is available for at least a further 12 months.
• applicants who start living in the NT on or after 1 July 2020, must:
  • demonstrate that you have been residing in the NT for at least 12 consecutive months
  • demonstrate that none of your migrating dependants are residing in another part of Australia, and
  • demonstrate full-time employment in the NT in an eligible occupation for at least six consecutive months immediately prior to applying for NT nomination and demonstrate that the employment is available for at least a further 12 months.

An eligible occupation for this purpose is:

• the occupation identified in the skills assessment (nominated occupation), or
• an occupation that is related to the nominated occupation. In order to be related to the nominated occupation, the majority of time in the position must be spent on tasks that align with the skills and knowledge required to undertake the nominated occupation.

The employment must also meet the following additional requirements:

• the position must be based in the NT, and the employer must have a record of trading in the NT for at least 12 months
• positions that are based at serviced office spaces or involve hot-desking arrangements will generally not be considered favourably
• you must be paid at market salary.

Applicants who have not been employed in an eligible occupation will generally not qualify for NT nomination.

Applicants who have been employed on a full-time basis for at least six consecutive months in an occupation that is not an eligible occupation may qualify for a subclass 491 nomination on an exceptional and case by case basis if you are able to demonstrate the following:

• the employer has made genuine efforts to recruit locally and the position cannot be filled by an Australian citizen or permanent resident – at a minimum, evidence should include copies of advertisements placed, and a statement from the employer detailing the number of applicants and reasons as to why no Australian citizens or permanent residents have not been recruited
• there is a genuine need for the position in the business – at a minimum, evidence should include a detailed statement from the employer explaining the need for the position and how the vacancy arose
• you have made genuine and sustained efforts to obtain employment in your nominated occupation or a related occupation in the NT – at a minimum, evidence must include copies / screenshots of applications made for relevant jobs and any feedback received.

Applicants who are on a Temporary Work (Skilled)(subclass 457) or Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) must provide a letter of support from your current subclass 457 or subclass 482 sponsoring business stating that they:

• support your visa application
• understand that you will not be tied to their business once the subclass 491 / subclass 190 visa is granted.

The NT Government may contact your employer. There may be circumstances where the need for support from your current employer can be waived.