Business bulletin: 1 September 2025

Doing business with the Northern Territory Government will change from 1 October with a suite of procurement reforms set to come into effect.

The government’s procurement reforms are designed to modernise procurement practices and foster a more business friendly environment in the Territory.

The changes will reduce red tape and eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens to drive productivity and economic growth.

Some of the key changes include:

• increasing purchasing caps for tiers 1 and 2:
  • tier 1 will increase to $50,000 from $15,000
  • tier 2 will increase to $200,000 from $100,000
• direct purchasing from a Territory enterprise will be simplified for commonly used, low-risk and readily available goods and services such as milk and office chairs.

This removes unnecessary administrative burdens enabling government to buy directly from Territory businesses without a formal quote process reducing delays and enhancing efficiency.

Other important changes include the establishment of the Territory procurement champion to support local business growth.

The position will be responsible for handling procurement complaints at an arm’s length and engaging businesses and government to drive more local procurement outcomes.

Territory businesses are invited to attend an information session in their region to learn more about the government’s procurement reform program.

Sessions will be delivered in all regions of the Territory during September.

To find out more about the procurement reform program or register for an information session, go to the Northern Territory Government.

The full October Business Month (OBM) program has been released with over 200 events to help Territory businesses grow.

More than 70 event partners will deliver a wide range of events, workshops and networking opportunities across the Territory.

This year’s theme 'Play to Our Strengths' with a focus on digitalisation, using AI to implement technology, workforce attraction and talent retention and resilience in business.

OBM platinum sponsor NAB will bring economist Tapas Strickland, Head of Market Economics at NAB, to Darwin and Alice Springs to provide an update on the Territory’s economy.

A highlight event, the business support showcase in Alice Springs, brings together service providers from the Australian Government, Northern Territory Government, and a range of non-government organisations to share practical tools, resources, and advice to help Territorians grow their business.

Other highlight events include the first Darwin rural business connect networking event in Humpty Doo, hosted by AusIndustry and the business futures forum an event designed to shape the future of business in Palmerston.

Tickets are still available for all OBM keynote events, this year’s line-up includes 2 of Australia’s leading entrepreneurs:

Carolyn Creswell - inspirational leader, founder and CEO of Australia’s favourite muesli brand, Carman’s Kitchen. Presenting in Alice Springs and Darwin.

Simon Griffiths - social entrepreneur, co-Founder and CEO of the eco-friendly toilet paper brand, Who Gives a Crap. Presenting in Darwin.

Nine Territory success stories (TSS) will be showcased across the 3 keynote events. Our Alice Springs TSS speakers include Crystal Pollitt from Bark n’Bath, Paul Graham from Asbuild and Laura-Jane Devlin from Triptic events.

Our Darwin TSS speakers include Anneliese Grazioli from Hanky Panky Lounge and Bar Kokomo, Anita Synnott from Natural Territory, Brook Summers from Studio B Designs and Art by Brooke, Dan Richards from Humpty Doo Barramundi, Doug McBean from North Horizon Heli Adventures, and Vicki-Leigh Lettice from McDonalds NT.

To book your seat, go to the October Business Month website.

The Northern Territory Government has rebranded its frontline business support roles, bringing together small business champions, workforce development officers and industry development officers under a new unified title – Territory business advisors.

Territory business advisors are trusted, regionally based partners for local businesses. They provide practical, tailored advice that helps businesses start, grow, adapt and succeed.

The rebrand makes it easier for businesses to understand and access the support available and reflects the way these roles have evolved to deliver integrated, end-to-end support to businesses of all sizes and sectors across the Territory.

Territory business advisors are located in all regions and work with all sizes of businesses, incorporated associations, not-for-profit organisations, registered training organisations and other stakeholders right across the Territory.

Businesses can connect with their local Territory business advisor by phone 1800 193 111 or email businessinfo@nt.gov.au

For more information, go to the Business NT website.

A new Territory Government program, accelerate is supporting Territory CEO and managing directors of small and medium enterprises to rapidly and sustainably grow their business.

Accelerate is delivered in partnership with the Australian Centre for Business Growth (AUCBG) and builds on the success of the business acceleration program (BAP).

Established in 2018, BAP equipped participants with the knowledge and skills to develop as leaders and accelerate company growth.

Previous program participant Dan Richards, CEO, Humpty-Doo Barramundi said, “Our team really benefited from learning the structures and systems required to support growth.”

“The centre’s team of growth experts brought a huge amount of experience, critiqued our plans and really challenged us in an effort to make our plans for the future even better.”

The accelerate program provides tailored support for CEOs and managing directors at all stages of their business journey, whether starting out or looking to expand operations.

Ryan Williams, Director, AUCBG said, “The Territory has a vibrant business community, and we’re proud to help it thrive now and into the future through our partnership with the Northern Territory Government.”

“Accelerates targeted approach will equip Territory CEOs and business owners with proven tools and strategies to grow and scale their companies, as well as the capability and confidence to seize opportunities, enter new markets and drive lasting economic growth.”

Accelerate will run across 2025 to 2026 and assist 140 businesses across 5 streams:

• Growth assessment clinics: half day or full day workshops for participants ready to grow their business and become better leaders
• Growth ramp workshop: a series of 6, full-day sessions over 6 months for participants looking to move to move to the next level, hire more people and growth their organisation.
• Growth module workshops: a series of 3, 3-day sessions over 9 months for participants and their executive team to build skills their company needs to achieve sustainable and continuous growth.
• Intensive growth seminars: 2, 2-day modules six months apart coaching, continuing learning management system access and peer support
• AUCBG online learning program: access to a self-paced growth program designed by the growth experts at the AUCBG

For more information and to apply, go to the Australian Centre for Business Growth website.

If you are ever dreamed of running a cafe, retail store or tourism experience in one of the Northern Territory most visited destinations now is your chance.

The Department of Tourism and Hospitality is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from experienced operators to manage one or both commercial spaces at the Wangi Centre, right beside the world-famous Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park.

With a term of up to 10 years, this opportunity offers the perfect platform to grow your business, delight visitors and be part of an iconic Territory destination.

Two spaces are available:

• food and beverage space – perfect for a café, takeaway or your signature culinary concept.
• versatile indoor shopfront – ideal for retail, tourism services, arts, or other unique visitor experiences.

The EOI will open from Monday 25 August 2025 and closes on Sunday 5 October 2025.

A site inspection will be held on Tuesday 9 September 2025 at 10 am. To attend, you must register via email to parks.eoi@nt.gov.au no later than Friday 5 September 2025.

For full details and how to submit your proposal on the commercial opportunity at Wangi Falls Centre.

Territory companies wanting to strengthen business and trade ties with Indonesia can now register to attend one of the country’s largest business-to-business expos, Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI).

TEI is a premier platform for international buyers, offering a prime opportunity to connect with a vast network of international buyers and explore a wide range of high-quality Indonesian products.

Now in its 40th edition, the event aims to promote Indonesian exports, facilitate trade and foster stronger connections between Indonesia and global market.

TEI 2025 will include an exclusive program such as B2B business matching, trade missions, business forums, business counselling and networking events to enhance business opportunities.

The 2025 Edition will feature innovative products and present new opportunities for global market engagement. There will be three key product zones:

• food, beverage and agriculture
• manufacturing
• service and lifestyle

TEI 2025 will be held in BSD City, Greater Jakarta from 15 to 19 October 2025.

For more information and to register, go to the Trade Expo Indonesia website.