International migration
A change for the better goes with the Territory. Discover what you need to know about moving to Australia’s Northern Territory
Looking for a place to accelerate your career? Migrate to the Northern Territory for a better work-life balance, more career opportunities and a lifestyle rich in culture.
Ready to make the move?
Australia is the smart move for skilled workers. Are you a skilled worker who wants to accelerate your career in a country of endless opportunities? Come and share our relaxed lifestyle and enjoy our beautiful weather – a combination perfect for raising a family and making lifelong friends.
We want workers from a range of industries, especially in health, with the Australian Government fast-tracking visa applications from people outside the country, now is the time to turn your Aussie dream into reality.
To find out more, go to the Smart Move Australia website.
Visa requirements
Discover everything about Australia’s Northern Territory’s visa requirements
All international health professionals wishing to practice in Australia must have the ability to hold the following:
All international health professionals wishing to practice in Australia must have the ability to hold an Australian registration with the relevant professional body.
The process for gaining registration as a health professional in Australia is overseen by the relevant national boards, which are supported in their functions by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
For information about Australian registration for overseas practitioners, go to the Ahpra website.
Nurses and midwives
If you obtained your qualifications in a country other than Australia or New Zealand, you may be required to undertake a theory and skill assessment process to obtain registration with your governing body. The outcome of this assessment may impact your suitability to apply for advertised positions.
Nurses and midwives who have obtained their qualifications overseas and use the Trans-Tasman agreement to obtain an Ahpra registration must provide evidence of a minimum 3-year employment period in New Zealand to be eligible for consideration.
Medical officer
If you are offered a role as a medical officer with the Northern Territory Government, our recruitment team will work with you towards obtaining your registration.
All international health professionals wishing to practice in Australia must have an approved visa that identifies work rights.
For information about living and working in Australia, go to the Department of Home Affairs website.
The visa you are eligible for will depend on your clinical role and whether you are seeking sponsorship, nomination or applying through the established Australian Government pathway relevant to your profession.
If you are seeking sponsorship or nomination by NT Health, it must be for a position identified on the skilled occupation list located on the skilled occupation list.
Applying for a visa
Prior to applying for a visa, you may need to complete or provide evidence of the following:
1
Undertake the relevant theory and skill assessment required by your profession
A skills assessment is performed to ensure you meet the standards required to work in a relevant occupation and is generally performed by an authorised organisation specifically associated with the occupation. It is not required for medical officers.
The type of visa you apply for will determine if a skills assessment is required, and it is your responsibility to contact the relevant assessing authority for your occupation to organise and complete a skills assessment if required.
Further information can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.
After you have successfully completed the skills assessment, you will receive a scanned certified copy which you will need to provide with your visa application.
| Education and skills assessment | |
|---|---|
Nursing and midwifery |
|
| Medical practitioner |
For more information, go to the Australian Medical Council website. |
2
An English proficiency exam
Unless you are exempt, you may need to demonstrate that you meet certain minimum standards of English language proficiency by taking and achieving a specific result in an English language test.
You can check exemptions and English requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website.
3
Information to demonstrate sufficient work experience
The length of required work experience may vary between visa types but must also meet NT Health requirements.
Nursing and midwifery
Northern Territory employer-sponsored visas require you to have at least 5 years post graduate experience with at least 3 years of relevant work experience in an advertised specialty field and in a country with like-for-like AHPRA registration.
Medical practitioner
NT Health employs a variety of internationally trained medical officers, also known as International Medical Graduates (IMGs).
IMGs can enter Australia on a temporary or permanent basis to fill positions in the medical workforce that cannot be readily filled by a suitably qualified Australian doctor.
View the Area of Need declarations, go to the NT Health website.
Northern Territory employer-sponsored visas require you to have at least 2 years of relevant work experience as a medical officer.
4
Other eligibility requirements
There may be further eligibility requirements for your chosen visa type.
These may include:
- adequate health insurance cover
- character requirements
- Australian Government specific requirements
- agreement to sign the Australian values statement.
For more information about immigration and citizenship, go to the Department of Home Affairs website.