Subclass 491 · NT
Northern Territory regional nomination
Five-year provisional visa with fifteen bonus points. Pathway to permanent residence through the 191 after three years of regional compliance. For 2026-27, new NT 491 applications are accepted only by exception.
Current program status
The NT Government states, on its nomination page last updated 13 October 2026, that it has received sufficient applications for the 2026-27 program year. New applications are accepted only by exception, for the subclass 491, from onshore applicants who meet the NT Graduate or NT Resident criteria and face one of these deadlines on or before 30 September 2027: a substantive visa expiring without eligibility for a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa; turning 45; or a birthday that takes their 491 points below 65. No new applications are accepted for the subclass 190 or any offshore stream. The NT notes that it cannot guarantee nominations before visa deadlines.
The Northern Territory Government nominates skilled migrants for the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. The program is administered by MigrationNT, which assesses applications lodged through the NT General Skilled Migration portal. The Department of Home Affairs recorded 25 NT 491 nominations between 1 July and 31 August 2026; as at 15 October 2026 it had not published 2026-27 state and territory allocations, and the NT has not published its own allocation figure.
The 491 is provisional for five years. Holders must comply with condition 8579 (live, work, and study only in a designated regional area) throughout the visa period, and NT nominees commit to living and working in the NT for at least three years. After holding the 491 for at least three years and complying with its conditions, holders may apply for the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa.
Regional area scope
The NT Government describes the 491 as a visa to live, work and study in a regional area such as the NT, and NT nominees commit to living and working in the NT. Confirm a specific postcode against the Department of Home Affairs list of designated regional areas.
NT 491 eligibility
Federal eligibility
Standard 491 federal criteria: under 45 at invitation, a suitable skills assessment, Competent English, at least 65 points (including the fifteen points for state nomination), health and character. The NT also requires you to be under 45 at the time of nomination.
Nominated occupation
Applicants living in the NT can nominate any occupation on the Home Affairs list of eligible skilled occupations for the 491. The Northern Territory Offshore Migration Occupation List (NTOMOL) applies only to offshore applicants in the NT Priority Occupation stream, which is closed for 2026-27.
NT-specific commitment
NT Government nomination requires a signed declaration committing to live and work in the NT in the nominated occupation, or a closely related skilled occupation, for at least three years from visa grant. The NT does not issue release letters for transfer to other states.
Employment and industry need
The NT Government considers your employment prospects in the NT and whether they meet the needs of NT industries. Claimed onshore employment must be with an NT employer that has traded in the NT for at least 12 months, full time (at least 35 hours a week) and at market salary. Applicants living interstate, and student visa holders who have not completed their studies, are not eligible.
From the 491 to the 191
After holding the 491 for at least three years while living, working, and studying in a designated regional area within Northern Territory (or elsewhere in regional Australia), 491 holders may apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. The 191 regional provisional stream has no minimum income requirement. The applicant must provide ATO notices of assessment for three income years out of the five years of the eligible visa, and must have complied with the conditions of that visa.
Compliance is documented through residential leases, utility bills, employment contracts, payslips, ATO records, and bank statements showing regional transactions. Sparse documentation creates doubt at the 191 stage. Maintaining contemporaneous records throughout the provisional period is essential.
Speak with an immigration lawyer about your NT 491 application
We assess whether you meet the NT's by-exception criteria and nomination streams, advise on the realistic prospect of nomination, and prepare both the state and federal applications to a litigation-ready standard.
Book a consultationNorthern Territory 491 nomination activity
Checked on 22-10-2026 against Home Affairs SkillSelect and the Northern Territory nomination page.
- Subclass 491 nominations recorded in SkillSelect, 1 July 2026 to 31 August 2026
- 25
- Latest round published by Northern Territory
- No round figures to report from the Northern Territory page. Its own updates are linked below.
Common questions
What areas of Northern Territory qualify as regional for the 491?
How does the NT 491 nomination process work?
Is the NT accepting 491 applications for 2026-27?
Which occupations qualify?
What conditions apply once granted?
How does the NT decide who to nominate for the 491?
Information current as at 15 October 2026. Northern Territory program settings, occupation lists, program status and regional postcodes are revised through the program year. Confirm current settings with MigrationNT at australiasnorthernterritory.com.au before lodging an application.