Northern Territory Nomination 2026–27: New 190 and 491 Requirements
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The Northern Territory Nomination 2026–27 program has opened with important changes for skilled migrants seeking nomination for a Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa or Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa.
MigrationNT opened its application portal on 21 August 2026 for all onshore streams and selected offshore streams.
However, applicants should not assume that last year’s eligibility rules still apply. The Northern Territory has changed several requirements concerning employment, NT graduates, remote work, and offshore applications.
For applicants who intend to pursue NT nomination this program year, checking the new criteria before submitting an application is critical.
Northern Territory Nomination 2026–27: What Has Changed?
The 2026–27 program introduces several changes that may directly affect eligibility.
Offshore Priority Occupation Stream Has Closed
The offshore NT Priority Occupation stream has closed to new applications because MigrationNT continues to manage applications carried over from the previous program year.
Therefore, offshore applicants should not assume that having an occupation on a priority list automatically creates an available nomination pathway.
Other eligible offshore streams may remain available depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
NT Now Defines Full-Time Employment as at Least 35 Hours
For onshore applicants, MigrationNT considers at least 35 hours per week to constitute full-time employment.
Importantly, applicants may satisfy this requirement through more than one part-time position, provided their employment otherwise meets the relevant nomination criteria. MigrationNT’s published guidance also confirms the 35-hour full-time definition.
This change can benefit applicants who work across multiple eligible positions rather than for one employer alone.
However, applicants should still carefully examine whether the nature, location and duration of their employment meet the requirements of their particular nomination stream.
Remote Employment May Not Support Northern Territory Nomination 2026–27
MigrationNT has also tightened its approach to remote employment. Generally, an applicant who lives in the Northern Territory but works remotely for an employer located outside the NT cannot automatically rely on that employment for nomination purposes.
An exception may arise where the applicant’s duties genuinely involve servicing Northern Territory clients.
This distinction matters. Living in Darwin while working online for a Sydney or Melbourne employer does not necessarily mean MigrationNT will regard the employment as Northern Territory employment.
Applicants who rely on remote work should therefore examine this requirement carefully before applying.
Major Northern Territory Nomination 2026–27 Changes for NT Graduates
NT graduates face some of the most significant changes under the new program year.
Subclass 190 Job-Search Pathway Now Requires 12 Months' Residence
NT graduates seeking Subclass 190 nomination while relying on job-search efforts rather than current employment now need to demonstrate 12 months of residence in the Northern Territory after completing their course.
Previously, the relevant period stood at six months.
As a result, recent graduates should not assume that completing an eligible NT course immediately creates a Subclass 190 nomination opportunity.
The timing of course completion, residence and employment now matters even more.
Graduates Over 35 Face Additional Requirements
NT graduates aged over 35 who cannot access a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa must now demonstrate either:
- current employment; or
- a recent job offer.
This change can significantly affect graduates who planned to rely primarily on their NT study and residence history.
Therefore, applicants approaching or exceeding 35 should assess their nomination strategy early rather than waiting until after graduation.
New Exceptional Circumstances Options for NT Graduates
The Northern Territory Nomination 2026–27 program also introduces additional flexibility for some NT graduates seeking Subclass 190 nomination.
A graduate may potentially rely on exceptional circumstances where they have:
- completed at least three months of employment in a regional or remote area outside Greater Darwin; or
- obtained employment or a job offer in a designated critical sector.
These provisions may create opportunities for graduates who do not satisfy the standard employment pathway but contribute to workforce needs in areas that the Northern Territory considers particularly important.
However, applicants should not treat an “exceptional circumstances” pathway as automatic eligibility. The evidence must clearly demonstrate how the circumstances satisfy MigrationNT’s requirements.
New Evidence Requirement for the Offshore NT Family Stream
Offshore applicants seeking nomination through the NT Family Stream must now provide clearer evidence of their claimed family relationship.
Applicants need to submit either:
- a written statement explaining the relationship; or
- a family tree diagram showing the connection.
MigrationNT’s general eligibility framework recognises the NT Family Stream as one of the pathways available to eligible offshore applicants.
Therefore, applicants should ensure that their family relationship remains easy to understand and that supporting identity and relationship documents remain consistent with the information provided.
Northern Territory 190 Visa Under the 2026–27 Program
The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa provides permanent residence to eligible skilled migrants who receive a nomination from an Australian state or territory.
Northern Territory nomination does not replace the Department of Home Affairs visa requirements.
An applicant must satisfy both:
Australian Government visa requirements + Northern Territory nomination requirements.
Applicants generally need to consider matters such as:
- age;
- English language ability;
- a suitable skills assessment;
- an eligible occupation;
- points-test requirements; and
- the relevant MigrationNT nomination stream.
A nomination also involves a genuine commitment to the Northern Territory.
MigrationNT states that applicants who accept NT nomination commit to living and working in the Northern Territory for at least three years after a visa grant.
Northern Territory 491 Visa Under the 2026–27 Program
The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa provides a regional skilled migration pathway for eligible applicants.
Unlike the Subclass 190 visa, the 491 is a provisional regional visa rather than an immediate permanent residence visa.
However, eligible holders may later pursue a permanent residence pathway if they satisfy the applicable requirements.
For many NT applicants, the Subclass 491 pathway can offer an alternative where Subclass 190 nomination is not available.
MigrationNT also confirms that where an applicant seeks Subclass 190 nomination but does not qualify, it may consider the applicant for Subclass 491 nomination rather than requiring a separate nomination application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is eligible for the 491 visa in the Northern Territory?
A- Applicants must meet the Subclass 491 visa requirements and the Northern Territory’s nomination criteria, including relevant age, English, skills assessment, points, and NT stream requirements.
Q2. Does the 491 visa lead to PR?
A- Yes. Eligible Subclass 491 holders may later apply for permanent residence through the Subclass 191 pathway after meeting the required residence, compliance and other criteria.
Q3. How long will it take to get a 491 visa in 2026?
A- Processing times vary depending on application volume, priority, completeness, and individual circumstances, so there is no single fixed timeframe for every applicant.
Q4. What is the new rule for the 491 visa?
A- For 2026–27, the Northern Territory updated several nomination rules, including a 35-hour full-time employment definition, tighter treatment of remote work and revised requirements for some NT graduates and offshore applicants.
Final Thoughts
The Northern Territory Nomination 2026–27 program creates opportunities for skilled migrants, but the latest changes also make careful pathway selection increasingly important.
If you are considering a Northern Territory 190 or 491 nomination, Emigrate Lawyers can review your occupation, skills assessment, employment, residence history, and visa circumstances and advise whether an NT skilled migration pathway may be available to you.
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Reviewed by Madhab Kharel, Principal Lawyer
Date reviewed: 31 August 2026
