If you’re planning on going to work in Australia, you may never get a better chance than this. The authorities Down Under have embarked on a wildly ambitious plan to bring more foreign employees into its Northern Territory (think Crocodile Dundee country) , but it comes with a few requirements.
How can I apply to work in Australia’s NT?
The Northern Territory (NT) – a sparsely-populated area of the country that’s looking to expand its horizons. Its capital is Darwin, which is home to less than 80,000 people. Nonetheless, it’s ripping good fun! The NT is perhaps better known as the home of Uluru.
Part of the requirements is to commit to working in the region for a minimum of three years. Once you’ve served that time, the idea is then to allow applicants to secure their permanent residency in the country, hoping that people will choose to stay in the Northern Territory. A link to application details appears at the bottom of this page.
Australia’s Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, David Coleman, told SBS News that local businesses stand to benefit immensely from the Designation Area Migration Agreement (DAMA):
“Our first priority is always to fill jobs with Australians, but the immigration system can play an important role in helping to address regional skills gaps. I am pleased that we can continue to partner with the NT Government to support the skills needs of local businesses where Australian workers are not available to fill those jobs,” said Coleman.
Migrants hailed as “vital” to Aussie economy
We also spoke to Sam Hopwood, Australian immigration director at Sable International. He told us that anyone under 45 who can pass the English language test required for entrance to Australia is welcome to apply, as long as they’re qualified in one of the 117 fields:
“Migrants are vital to the prosperity of Australia. A 2016 census showed that 151 regional areas in Australia were able to offset declining populations by encouraging international migrants. International migrants were actually the sole source of population growth for some small towns.”
“To qualify, you need to be: younger than 45, meet the English language requirement have the relevant qualifications and skills for the advertised position that the employer is wanting to sponsor you in.”Sam Hopwood
The job list ranges from highly-skilled practices (veterinary surgeons, engineers, mechanics) to more common areas of work, such and caregiving and hairdressing.
It takes all sorts to build the sort of international community Coleman and his team are looking for. But is your occupation on the list? If you’ve got a touch of wanderlust and feel like setting up home in a quintessential part of Australia, the the NT is very much calling your name.
Work in Australia – 117 occupations that need foreign workers in the Norther Territory:
Accountant (General) |
Accounts Clerk |
Aeroplane Pilot |
Aged or Disabled Carer |
Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator |
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic |
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) |
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical) |
Aquaculture Farmer |
Arborist |
Automotive Electrician |
Baker |
Bar Attendant Supervisor |
Barista |
Beauty Therapist |
Beef Cattle Farmer |
Bookkeeper |
Bus Driver |
Butcher or Smallgoods Maker |
Cabinetmaker |
Cabler (Data and Telecommunications) |
Cafe or Restaurant Manager |
Carpenter |
Chef |
Chief Executive or Managing Director |
Child Care Centre Manager |
Child Care Worker |
Civil Engineering Technician |
Community Worker |
Conference and Event Organiser |
Cook |
Cook (includes Ethnic Cuisine) |
Crowd Controller |
Customer Service Manager |
Deck Hand |
Dental Assistant |
Diesel Motor Mechanic |
Disabilities Services Officer |
Diver |
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher |
Earth Science Technician |
Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) |
Electrical Linesworker |
Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General) |
Excavator Operator |
Facilities Manager |
Family Day Care Worker |
Family Support Worker |
Fitter (General) |
Fitter and Turner |
Fitter-Welder |
Floor Finisher |
Flying Instructor |
Forklift Driver |
Fruit or Nut Grower |
Gaming Worker |
Hair or Beauty Salon Manager |
Hairdresser |
Hardware Technician |
Hotel or Motel Manager |
Hotel or Motel Receptionist |
Hotel Service Manager |
ICT Customer Support Officer |
ICT Support Technicians nec |
Interpreter |
Landscape Gardener |
Licensed Club Manager |
Linemarker |
Management Accountant |
Marketing Specialist |
Metal Fabricator |
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer |
Mixed Crop Farmer |
Mixed Livestock Farmer |
Motor Mechanic (General) |
Motor Vehicle or Caravan Salesperson |
Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter (General) |
Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter |
Motorcycle Mechanic |
Nursing Support Worker |
Office Manager |
Out of School Hours Care Worker |
Panelbeater |
Personal Care Assistant |
Pharmacy Technician |
Plumber (General) |
Pressure Welder |
Program or Project Administrator |
Property Manager |
Recreation Officer |
Residential Care Worker |
Retail Manager (General) |
Retail Supervisor |
Sales and Marketing Manager |
Sheetmetal Trades Worker |
Ship’s Engineer |
Ship’s Master |
Small Engine Mechanic |
Sound Technician |
Supply and Distribution Manager |
Taxation Accountant |
Telecommunications Cable Jointer |
Telecommunications Linesworker |
Telecommunications Technician |
Therapy Aide |
Tour Guide |
Truck Driver (General) |
Vegetable Grower |
Vehicle Painter |
Veterinary Nurse |
Waiter Supervisor |
Waste Water or Water Plant Operator |
Web Administrator |
Web Designer |
Welder (First Class) |
Welfare Worker |
Youth Worker |
You can find out more about applying to work in Australia right here.