The Northern Territory (NT) Government is still awaiting its full nomination allocation for the 2025–26 Migration Program from the Australian Government. In the meantime, a small interim allocation has been released, allowing limited subclass 491 nominations for specific onshore applicants.
Who Can Apply Under the Interim Allocation?
The NT Government will accept exception applications for the subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional) visa for onshore applicants who meet NT Graduate or NT Resident eligibility criteria and have certain visa deadlines before 31 December 2025.
These applicants include those:
- With visas expiring before 31 December 2025 and who are not eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa.
- Turning 45 years of age before 31 December 2025, which makes them ineligible for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.
- Whose birthdays before 31 December 2025 will result in their skilled migration points for subclass 491 falling below 65 points.
Applicants meeting any of these criteria should lodge their subclass 491 nomination applications promptly. It is important that they also meet all relevant criteria for the NT Graduate or NT Resident streams as currently published on the NT Government website.
Important Notes
- The 2025–26 program is still closed for other applicants and will reopen once the NT Government receives its full allocation from the Australian Government.
- Nomination before visa deadlines cannot be guaranteed.
- Onshore applicants with expiring visas are strongly advised to seek guidance from a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) or legal practitioner to explore their visa options and ensure they remain lawful in Australia.
The interim allocation is limited, and timely action is critical for eligible applicants. Staying informed and seeking professional advice is the best way to safeguard your migration pathway in the Northern Territory.
