Business bulletin: 26 February 2026

The Northern Territory Government is stepping up efforts to grow our skilled workforce with an updated and expanded Global Worker Attraction Program launching this week.

The Global Worker Attraction Program is a strategic workforce development initiative designed to engage and attract skilled international and domestic workers to the Northern Territory.

This year’s program builds on from the momentum of 2025 which included online seminars in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, in person events in New Zealand as well as digital marketing bursts across multiple states in Australia.

In 2026, the Northern Territory Government will deliver in-person international worker events in the UK and Ireland in April as well as South Africa, New Zealand and Melbourne later in the year.

The UK and Ireland information sessions will have representatives from peak industry bodies including Damien Charles, Chair of the Australian Computer Society of the NT.

'Having participated in previous international worker attraction events, I’ve seen first‑hand how important it is for the Northern Territory to promote itself in our key labour source markets.

'Often, it’s not about convincing people to move to Australia; it’s about ensuring they understand the fantastic opportunities we have here and attracting critical skills and experience to the Northern Territory,' Mr Charles said.

The UK and Ireland sessions will raise the profile of the Northern Territory as a desirable place to live and work, showcase the many career opportunities available and enable industry representative to engage one-on-one with potential job seekers. NT employers will be able to search WorkerConnect to find suitable applicants who have uploaded their CVs to the platform.

The 2026 program also includes integrated marketing campaigns for each event including in-country radio and print advertising as well as Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube and the Australia's Northern Territory website.

Territory businesses are strongly encouraged to upload their jobs to the WorkerConnect platform now so they can connect with jobseekers and find new workers from the upcoming in-country information sessions.

For more information, go to the Territory WorkerConnect website.

A group of 20 international students, selected under a competitive process will support promotion of the Territory’s international education sector in 2026.

The group are part of Study NT Student Ambassador Program, which is now in its 10th year.

The program provides a platform for ambassadors to share their stories and firsthand experiences of studying in the Northern Territory with peers and online networks. To date, around 200 international students have completed the program.

The program celebrates the ambassador’s academic excellence, leadership and commitment while also recognising the diverse perspectives and global experiences they bring to our local community.

During the 12-month program our 2026 ambassadors will receive tailored training to provide them with the tools and confidence to promote the Northern Territory’s international education sector, this includes public speaking, media engagement and personal branding.

Ambassadors will also engage in peer-to-peer and public facing community events, collaborate with employers and support Study NT in hosting international delegations.

The 2026 Study NT Student Ambassadors are:

• Anamaria Aldazabal Sanchez, Peru
• Akshata Bhusal, Nepal
• Fadziso Mango, Zimbabwe
• Henna Erica Sta Maria, Philippines
• Hernani Pires Neto, Brazil
• Junhao (Jayno) Zhang, China
• Kinley Wangmo, Bhutan
• Lakshi Sandamali Jayawila
• Mengdie Zhao (Momo), China
• Nga Man Wong (Iris), Hong Kong
• Nushrat Islam Bhuiyan, Bangladesh
• Pawan Kandel, Nepal
• Phuong Tran Tran (Jane), Vietnam
• Quang Thuan Nguyen (Vincent), Vietnam
• Rana Zaid Hassan, Pakistan
• Samia Akter, Bangladesh
• Sayeed Anwer, Bangladesh
• Tania Valentina Cortes Aristizabal, Colombia
• Yee Chyi Too, Malaysia
• Yixiang Wang (Jerry), China

Recent legislation changes will make it easier for real estate agents’ representatives (agents) and incorporated associations to do business in the Territory.

Agents can choose to renew their licence for 1, 3 or 5 -years removing the regulatory burden of an annual licence renewal process.

The introduction of multiple year registration options for agents will reduce the burden of annual renewals and, will allow for a discount of approximately 10% on fees for longer registration periods for both new applications and renewals.

The tier thresholds for incorporated associations have been lifted to help reduce unnecessary administration burdens for smaller associations for annual auditing requirements, while ensuring that associations are kept accountable for their financial activities.

There are 3 classified tier levels for associations, the lowest tier 1 currently has a maximum threshold of $25,000 for gross income and/or maximum threshold of $50,000 for gross asset value. Tier 1 levels are set to increase to a maximum of $150,000 for gross income and $300,000 for gross assets.

Until now, small associations that earn over this threshold must engage a professional accredited accountant to meet compliance and auditing of their annual financial returns.

Tier changes will deliver flexibility and more affordable options for associations to either choose a suitably qualified person or a professional accountant to undertake the audit requirements.

Other key changes include modernising wording across a range of occupational licensing and association legislation to include digital lodgements, streamlining processes and allowing for the continuation of a licence/registration on the lodgement of a renewal form, prior to expiry.

These changes are set to benefit real estate agents, pawn brokers and second-hand dealers, plumbers and drainers, security officers and tobacco retailers.

Cameron Barber is proud to say that he started his business 'from nothing, with nothing' and now owns the premises where he served his apprenticeship.

He always told his mother Rhonda that he would start his own business as soon after qualifying as a plumber as possible.

And he did.

Redstone Plumbing & Gas is now a well-established firm providing vital services to local residents, businesses and the mining industry.

Cameron took his apprenticeship with Lavery Plumbing in Tennant Creek.

When the business closed in 2022, he became a sole trader operating out of a shed.

His mum did the books for the first year - unpaid.

Within 2 years, Cameron moved into the old Lavery yard on Paterson Street.

He took on his first apprentice, Jack Yates, last year and he has already 'signed off'.

Cameron, who is 38, now employs three plumbers, two apprentices, an office worker and his mum, who is the full-time general manager in charge of administration and accounting - and she gets paid.

Redstone is creating jobs and training for local people.

The 2 apprentices are a 17-year-old Indigenous Centralian, Jonah Ryder, and a 20-year-old woman, Emma Wilson.

'We are proud to have such a diverse work environment,' Cameron says.

'Mum is the backbone of the company. She does everything from finance to OHS. We would not be where we are today without her.

'Having her beside me has been awesome - it’s like working with your best mate. I wouldn’t want anyone else.'

Business confidence is high in the Barkly as mineral exploration ramps up.

Cameron’s business is going from strength to strength, and he is optimistic about the region’s prospects.

Redstone wins many private and government contracts and is particularly busy with maintenance work on mining accommodation camps.

The Territory Business Advisors are your trusted local partner delivering tailored support to help Territory businesses grow, adapt and thrive.

If you have a business idea and need help navigating the next steps get in touch with our Territory Business Advisors on 1800 193 111 or email businessinfo@nt.gov.au.

Business owners can now access a free online tool to help the explore options on best to secure your business premises.

The Business Safety and Security Checklist can help owners identify risk, asses their current arrangements and understand what improvements may be needed to better protect staff, customers and the building.

You can also get in touch with our Territory Business Advisors to help navigate the results of online tool, understand eligibly for BizSecure and work through the application process.

For more information, go to the NT Business website.

A series of workshops will be delivered across the Territory to help equip businesses with the skills, confidence and tools to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations.

The workshops and are part of the NT Government’s Flexible Skills and Training Response Program. The program provides free and low-cost training to strengthen workforce capability and resilience of Territory businesses.

The AI workshops will be delivered by Captotave and includes 2 distinct modules:

• AI Essentials - perfect for beginners building foundational knowledge and digital confidence.
• AI in Action - for those ready to drive efficiency, deeper integration and better decision-making.

For more information and to book, go to the NT Business website.