Permanent residence pathway

Nominated occupation

Employees must be nominated for an occupation on the current NT DAMA occupation list.

Age

Be under 55 years of age (skill level 1-4 occupations) or under 50 years of age (skill level 5 occupations).

English

Meet English language requirements:

• if your nominated occupation has an English concession, you must meet the requirements, read concessions available
• if you are nominated for an occupation that is not eligible for an English language concession, you must have a minimum score of at least 6 in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test or equivalent.

Qualifications and experience

Meet the qualifications and experience requirement for nominated occupation.

Previous employment in the NT

Meet both of the following:

• have worked in the NT for 2 years on a full-time basis (or part-time equivalent) in the ENS-nominated occupation or a closely related occupation in the same skill level, and
• have complied with conditions of the visa(s) held.

Ongoing employment

Employment in the nominated occupations must be full-time and must be ongoing for at least 2 years with the possibility of extension/s.

Nominating businesses must meet the following nomination requirements:

• the occupation you are nominating must be the one connected to the identified employee’s 2 years of experience in the NT
• you must offer full-time employment to the nominee for at least two years, with the possibility of extension.

Nominating businesses must be endorsed under the current NT DAMA and have an associated labour agreement in place with the Australian Government.

This means that businesses who hold a labour agreement under previous NT DAMA(s) must be endorsed under the current NT DAMA and enter into a new labour agreement to nominate for a subclass 186 visa.

In addition to the above, nominating businesses must also meet the endorsement criteria including labour market testing requirements, and meet the requirements from the Department of Home Affairs website.

If you are a business with an existing NT DAMA III labour agreement with no ceiling provided for ENS visas

Step 1: Your business needs to apply to the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations for subsequent endorsement. Get the checklist and forms on subsequent endorsement process.

Step 2: Once endorsed, the Department of Home Affairs will contact you and work with you to amend your existing labour agreement.

Step 3: Submit your nomination application for the subclass 186 visa to the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 4: The employee can then lodge an application for a subclass 186 visa.

If you do not have an existing NT DAMA III labour agreement

Step 1: Your business needs to apply to the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations for endorsement. You can find the checklist and forms on employer step by step guide.

Step 2: Once endorsed, you must request a labour agreement from the Department of Home Affairs through ImmiAccount.

Step 3: Submit your nomination application for the subclass 186 to the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 4: The employee can then lodge an application for a subclass 186 visa.