Business bulletin: 28 March 2025

AirAsia is back in the Northern Territory with the inaugural Bali-Darwin route touching down in the Top End and a new direct service from Darwin to Kuala Lumpa launched last week.

The arrival of AirAsia marks a new chapter in choice, connectivity and competition for Territorians and travellers.

Flights between Darwin and Bali will operate three times a week delivering over 55,000 seats annually through Darwin International Airport and Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The Introduction of AirAsia Malaysia to the Northern Territory aviation market will see almost 100,000 seats annually between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur.

The first flight will be on 27 June and there will be four weekly return services on Monday, Wednesday Friday and Saturday.

The new Bali and Kuala Lumpur Services will see AirAsia Group operate a total of 7 weekly flights from Darwin.

The new services strengthen the Northern Territory’s two-way connection with Asia enabling Territorians to holiday, do business and spend time with family.

It also provides a low-cost option for travellers coming from Asia opening the Northern Territory for people looking to visit, study, do business or live and work here.

AirAsia Group’s commitment to Darwin reinforces the Territory’s strong and growing travel demand creating business opportunities.

The Northern Territory Government will continue to work closely with key industry stakeholders to fill inbound seats and support demand for outbound travel.

Territory businesses experiencing workforce shortages will be able to access support under a new Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA III) to find the workers they need now and into the future.

The new streamlined and expanded program will include access to 325 occupations in demand across various industries and sectors and skill levels in the Territory.

NT DAMA III allows up to 1,500 approved nominations per year for employers to sponsor overseas workers on a Skills in Demand or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa, more than doubling the previous places of 625 per year.

Other key elements of DAMA III include:

• flexible pathways to permanent residence
• age concessions up to 55
• English level concessions for selected occupations
• Salary concession
• Streamlined application processes for employers

Eligible occupations for the NT DAMA III were derived from robust labour market analysis and stakeholder engagement to identify skill gaps in the Territory.

The Territory led the way in establishing the first ever DAMA in 2015 with the Federal Government then rolling it out as a key regional migration solution.  This will be the third DAMA established for the Territory.

The new NT DAMA will continue to enable local employers to address their unique economic and labour market needs with a level of flexibility that is not available in standard skilled migration programs.

The program will be open for new endorsement applications by 31 March 2025.

More information

The Northern Territory’s central hub for business support and resources, business.nt.gov.au has been upgraded to better support our local businesses.

Whether you're starting out, looking to grow, or managing an established business, the refreshed website provides the tools and guidance you need for success.

Key highlights of the new site include:

• Comprehensive insights into the NT business landscape
• Practical tools and guides to help you upskill and build a sustainable business
• Step-by-step support for navigating government tendering opportunities
• Information on programs and services to boost your business

Explore the updated business.nt.gov.au and discover how it can support your business journey.

Territory business Rise Project Consulting (Rise) is advancing as a global player in the wastewater management industry with support for the Northern Territory Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF).

The funding will allow Rise to move forward with the commercialisation of a fit-for-purpose Unmanned Surface vehicle (USV) used in global water-based surveys to measure and map wastewater ponds.

Current Survey methods can include craft propellors becoming entangled in debris or staff taking measurements by prodding the bottom of wastewater ponds.

Rise’s USV floats on wastewater and is specifically designed to replace unreliable, unsafe and unproductive methods of traditional pond surveys.

The USV will be fitted with sonars, GPS and data logging capabilities to enable high resolution 3D mapping of wastewater ponds.

Stephen Goat, Managing Director of Rise said, “support from the Territory Government via the AMEF will be transformational for Rise, not only will it mean that we can design, develop and prototype a product we know the world needs, but we can also manufacture it right here in the Territory.”

The $360,436 project is backed by a $180,218 co-investment from the AMEF which is administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre.

AMGC Northern territory Director Charmaine Phillips said, “Rise is another example of the highly capable yet small manufacturers that can be found across the NT.”

“By tapping into the AME Fund and the connections it has across the Territory ecosystem, the company can pursue commercialising a world-leading product here in the Top End, all while generating prosperity and opportunities for Territorians.”

Working in collaboration with Charles Darwin University’s Northern Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems, Rise will utilise Territory skills and equipment to design and test the solution in Darwin before moving to manufacturing and commercialisation.

This project set to create 30 local jobs at Rise and help the business expand.

For more information visit, AMGC website.

Palmerston business owners are invited to attend a series of free workshops to help you strategically plan and grow your business.

The workshops, which are hosted by the City of Palmerston will feature an open forum to share insights on future planning for Palmerston and discuss your business needs.

Topics include:

• Marketing 101 – Friday 11 April 2025

Learn how to align your marketing efforts for maximum sales success.

Tickets are selling fasts for this session, don’t miss out register today.

• Cash flow Management – 1 May 2025

Gain tips to maintain positive cash flow and effective financial planning.

• Social media for your business – 23 May 2025

Learn how to create an effective organic social media plan.

You must register to attend the Palmerston Business Workshops.

For more information and to register visit Palmerston City Council website