Business bulletin: 25 June 2026

Aero Dili’s inaugural direct fight from Dili to Darwin touched down at Darwin International Airport earlier this month.

This marks a significant milestone for Aero Dili, with the Darwin-Dili route becoming the airlines’ the first direct service to Australia.

The inaugural flight included President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste His Excellency Dr. José Ramos-Horta to help mark this milestone.

'As Timor-Leste takes its place as ASEAN's newest member, we are building practical, lasting connections with our neighbours.'

'The first Aero Dili route from Dili to Darwin is more than a flight route. It is a bridge of friendship, commerce, education and people-to-people connection across the Timor Sea. I congratulate Aero Dili for strengthening the partnership between Timor-Leste and the Northern Territory.'

Timor-Leste is not only geographically close to the Territory – we also share deep historical ties through people-to-people connections, strategic health services partnerships, regional trade and development of education, workforce, training sectors.

The twice-weekly service (Tuesday and Sunday) will further strengthen cultural and economic ties between the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste.

This new direct service also reinforces Darwin’s role as a gateway for Australians across the continent travelling to Timor-Leste and Timor-Leste residents wanting to visit the rest of Australia.

For bookings and more information, go to Aero Dili website or your preferred travel agent.

Study NT has partnered with Cricket NT for the upcoming Top End T20 series to boost student numbers and support the growth of the international education sector.

Study NT has been announced as the naming rights partner of the T20 series for the next 2 years, providing a highly visible platform to promote the Northern Territory as a study destination of choice.

Through live broadcast, digital distribution and social amplification, the Top End T20 will deliver consistent exposure for the Northern Territory’s unique lifestyle and high-quality international education sector into key international student markets, including Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka.

The 2026 series will also include a team from the United States, with broadcasting into the US and Canada. The marketing campaign will also target North American cities including Chicago, Houston, Dallas and San Francisco.

NT Cricket Chief Executive Officer Gavin Dovey said the Top End T20 Series had quickly become recognised as the second-best T20 competition in Australia, behind the Big Bash League.

'Last year more than 53 million global viewers tuned into the event, providing a powerful platform to promote the Northern Territory as a destination to study, live, work and play,' Mr Dovey said.

'We are thrilled to welcome Study NT as naming rights partner for the next 2 years and look forward to working together to showcase the Territory to key Southeast Asian markets and support the growth of the local international education sector.'

The Top End T20 Series takes place between 20 to 30 August.

Husband-and-wife tourism team John and Nerida Hart will be celebrating World Micro and Small Medium Enterprise Day for a very good reason.

They know that while massive companies secure the lion’s share of the publicity, it’s the small businesses often run by families - that are the backbone of the community.

'Micro businesses keep the local economy going,' said Nerida.

The couple run Walk Darwin, which does exactly what the name promises - guiding fascinating walking tours around the city, including the Botanic Gardens and Second World War sites.

They said that World Micro and Small Medium Enterprise Day on Saturday June 27 was an opportunity for small businesses to use their collective voice to raise awareness of the importance of buying local.

'We stand beside our fellow micro business operators on this day,' said Nerida. 'No matter who you are - local, interstater or overseas visitor - buy local.'

John and Nerida launched Walk Darwin in 2014.

'We saw a gap in tourism. Visitors were arriving and immediately travelling the "golden triangle" of Kakadu-Katherine-Litchfield and then flying home,' Nerida said. 'Very few were spending time in the city and truly experiencing all there is here.

'So, we chose to create tours that would extend their dwell time in town and educate people on our history, flora and multicultural community from the perspective of someone who lives here.'

'Darwin has such an interesting history that we felt its story had to be told by a local who loved the area and its history,' said John.

Most of Walk Darwin’s guests are Australian, although the number of overseas visitors is increasing.

John’s background includes 35 years as a coach driver and manager at Australian Pacific Tours and AAT Kings.

Nerida began her career as a tour guide during Western Australia’s wildflower season before joining Australia Pacific Tours and escorting travellers around the country.

The Northern Territory Government is supporting World Micro and Small Medium Enterprise Day because it recognises the important contribution small business makes to the social and economic fabric of society.

Few things hold a community together more than small businesses.

Outbush Alice Springs, a thriving apparel business in the heart of the town, is a good example of the important role played by small companies in their communities.

It was owned by Mark and Barry Dew from 1986 until it was sold to Lhere Artepe Enterprises 3 years ago.

Outbush sells clothing and accessories from Australian brands, such as RM Williams, Akubra, Wrangler, Ariat, Thomas Cook and Blundstone.

The business operates as part of the Lhere Artepe Enterprise, an organisation owned by a charitable thrust that supports the Arrernte people of Central Australia. This means every surplus dollar generated by Outbush contributes to initiatives that support the local community.

Outbush Manager, Samantha said the business continues to build on the excellent customer service established by the previous owners - and has taken it a step further by undergoing major renovations to improve the customer experience.

'Our goal is to make everyone feel welcome in our store - local or tourist,' Samantha said.

'We are very well supported by our community and loyal local customers, which we appreciate.'

There are 2 full-time, 2 part-time and 3 casual staff, including the wife of one of the former owners.

Outbush is working hard to keep the community informed that the store is still open while the Todd Mall revitalisation works are under way.

Samantha said the business is enjoying excellent trading, which promises to continue throughout 2026.

'We are remaining positive and looking forward to continuing to grow.'

The Northern Territory Government is backing local businesses with the Back a Territorian campaign.

The campaign is designed tomaximise support and spending for local businesses which support jobs and strengthen the community.

Whether it is getting your morning coffee at your local cafe or getting fitted out with the latest gear at Outback Alice Springs, businesses are a critical part of the social and economic fabric of the Territory.

Find out how you can support your favourite Territory businesses.

Community-minded store Outbush Alice Springs: ‘we are very well supported by our community and loyal local customers, which we appreciate’

Territory businesses working on innovative ideas in the One Health sector - including digital, biosecurity and medical technology - can now apply for the CSIRO’s program, Innovate to Grow.

Innovate to Grow: One Health is a free, 8-week online program for small to medium enterprises (SME) to develop early-stage ideas in health innovation.

Topic areas range from animal disease diagnostics and biosecurity to digital and AI solutions for health care.

Program participants will tackle live business challenges, explore collaborations, and create plans with support from expert mentors and fellow innovators.

SMEs play an important role growing innovation capacity locally and the Innovative to Grow program ensures businesses have the right support to turn their ideas into success.

Applications close 12 July 2026.

The program starts 6 August 2026

Find out more and apply.