Northern Territory State Nomination 2026–27: What Is Still Open
The NT has received sufficient 2026–27 applications. 190 and offshore are closed, with limited onshore 491 exceptions. Streams, fee and rules.
The NT says it has received sufficient applications for the 2026–27 program year. It is not accepting new subclass 190 applications or any offshore applications; new onshore subclass 491 applications are accepted only by exception. The NT does not issue invitations from SkillSelect EOIs, and it says it does not prioritise applicants by points score.
- The NT says it has received sufficient 2026–27 applications: the 190 and offshore streams are closed.
- New onshore subclass 491 applications are accepted only by exception, for specific visa-deadline cases up to 30 September 2027.
- The NT does not invite from SkillSelect: you apply to MigrationNT, and it does not prioritise applicants by points score.
- The fee is AU$300 plus GST where applicable; applicants must commit to 3 years living and working in the NT.
- The closure is stated on the NT’s main page (13 October); its eligibility page (28 October) lists all five streams without mentioning it, so read them together.
The Northern Territory nominates for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) through MigrationNT. Its process differs from most states: you lodge a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI), but the NT does not invite from it. You apply to MigrationNT yourself, and only if you fit one of its streams.
As at 29 October 2026, most doors are closed for 2026–27. This guide sets out what is still possible, the streams and their rules, the fee, and where the NT’s own pages disagree. It sits within our State nomination 2026–27: every state and territory.
NT nomination at a glance, 29 October 2026
Status and exceptions
| Item | What the NT’s pages say |
|---|---|
| Program year | “The NT Government has now received sufficient applications for the 2026-27 program year.” |
| Subclass 190 and offshore | “No new nomination applications will be accepted at this time for Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa or any offshore streams.” |
| Subclass 491, onshore | New applications “will only be accepted by exception” for onshore applicants who meet the NT Graduate or NT Resident criteria and have a visa deadline on or before 30 September 2027: a visa expiring and not eligible for a 485, turning 45, or points dropping below 65. |
| Before a visa deadline | MigrationNT says it “cannot guarantee nominations before visa deadlines”, and onshore applicants with expiring visas should take professional advice on their options. |
| 2026–27 allocation | Not published on the pages we read. Home Affairs shows the NT’s 2025–26 allocation as 850 (190) and 800 (491). |
Source: the NT’s nomination page, last updated on 13 October 2026.
The NT’s eligibility page, updated on 28 October 2026, lists all five streams and their criteria but does not mention the closure. The closure is stated on the main nomination page (updated 13 October), so read the eligibility page together with it.
How the NT’s process works
- 11
Lodge a SkillSelect EOI
The NT says it does not issue invitations directly from an EOI. Your EOI must still be in place.
- 22
Apply to MigrationNT
You apply through the NT’s online portal and pay the $300 fee (plus GST where applicable).
- 33
MigrationNT assesses
It says it does not prioritise applicants by points score. Its pages refer to commitment to the NT, such as length of residence and family connections.
- 44
Home Affairs invites you
If nominated, you receive a SkillSelect invitation and must apply within 60 calendar days. Nomination does not guarantee the visa.
The five streams
The NT lists five streams. Because 2026–27 applications are closed for most of them, treat these as the NT’s published rules, not a current invitation to apply. For all offshore streams, the NT says it will generally only consider a 491 nomination.
| Stream | Main requirements the NT states |
|---|---|
| Onshore NT Residents | 190: lived in the NT for at least 2 consecutive years and in full-time NT employment for 2 years. 491: a shorter residence and employment period (12 months’ residence, 6 months’ employment). Onshore employment must be full-time, at least 35 hours a week, with an NT employer trading for at least 12 months. |
| Onshore NT Graduates | Two academic years (four semesters) of full-time NT study. The 190 route needs further NT residence after completion and employment; the 491 route needs genuine and sustained efforts to find NT employment. |
| Offshore NT Priority Occupation | At least 2 years in your nominated occupation in the last 5 years, and an occupation on the NT Offshore Migration Occupation List. |
| Offshore Job Offer | A verifiable NT job offer. |
| Offshore Family | An eligible relative who has lived in the NT for at least 12 months. |
Every applicant must be under 45 at nomination, have at least 65 points and competent English, hold a valid skills assessment, and commit to living and working in the NT for at least 3 years from visa grant. The NT also gives a net-assets guide (for example AU$35,000 for a single applicant). It says it will generally consider the 190 only for applicants who have lived in the NT on a long-term basis.
What Home Affairs shows for the NT
| Measure | 190 | 491 |
|---|---|---|
| Allocation set for 2025–26 (4 November 2025) | 850 | 800 |
| NT nominations, 1 July to 31 August 2026 | 91 | 25 |
Home Affairs’ allocation page, last updated on 21 September 2026, shows only 2025–26 allocations. An allocation is the number of new primary applicants a state can nominate in a program year; it does not set the number of visas granted.
The NT Offshore Migration Occupation List applies only to the offshore priority occupation stream, and its page was last updated on 26 November 2025, so it may predate 2026–27.
Related guides and next steps
- State nomination 2026–27: every state and territory
- Western Australia state nomination guide
- Canberra Matrix invitation round guide
- 189 vs 190 vs 491: which skilled visa is right for you?
Want your occupation, points and state options reviewed? Book a consultation or contact our migration team.
This is general information, not personal migration advice. State programs, lists and fees can change without notice; the figures above are as at 29 October 2026. Global Migrations is the trading name of Global Migration & Education Solutions (ABN 22 998 014 414); our registered migration agent is Ranbir Singh, MARN 1069570. We are not part of the the Northern Territory Government.
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People also ask
Is NT state nomination open in 2026–27?
Mostly no. The NT says it has received sufficient applications for 2026–27 and is not accepting new subclass 190 or offshore applications. New onshore subclass 491 applications are accepted only by exception.
Who can still apply for the NT 491?
Onshore applicants who meet the NT Graduate or NT Resident criteria and have a visa deadline on or before 30 September 2027: a visa expiring and not eligible for a 485, turning 45, or points falling below 65. MigrationNT says it cannot guarantee nominations before visa deadlines.
Does the NT invite from SkillSelect?
No. The NT says it does not issue invitations directly from an EOI. You lodge an EOI and apply to MigrationNT through its online portal.
How does the NT rank applicants?
MigrationNT says it does not prioritise applicants by points score. Its pages point to commitment to the NT, such as length of residence and family connections.
How much does NT nomination cost?
The NT charges AU$300 (plus GST where applicable) for a subclass 190 or 491 nomination application. The fee is non-refundable.
How long do I have to live in the NT after nomination?
The NT says you must commit to living and working in the NT for at least 3 years from visa grant.
Which occupations are eligible?
The NT Offshore Migration Occupation List applies only to the offshore priority occupation stream. The NT says the other streams can nominate any occupation on the national eligibility list.
How many places does the NT have?
Home Affairs shows 850 for the 190 and 800 for the 491 for 2025–26. No 2026–27 figure is published on the pages we read.