Australian Immigration Weekly Update: NT Allocations Open, Student Fees Triple, and March 2027 Points Test Revealed
Executive Summary
The Northern Territory has become the second jurisdiction to release its skilled migration allocations for the 2026–2027 programme year, with a notable 12 per cent increase directed entirely towards the 491 visa. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has confirmed a tripling of student visa application fees, and credible sources suggest a revised points test will take effect from March 2027, with the proposed model signalling a clear pivot towards younger, English-proficient applicants.
Northern Territory Opens 2026–2027 Skilled Visa Allocations
The Northern Territory Government has officially opened nominations for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) under the 2026–2027 General Skilled Migration programme.
Allocation Breakdown
- Total nominations: 1,850 places (a 12 per cent increase over the previous year)
- Subclass 190: 850 nominations
- Subclass 491: 1,000 nominations
- Additional 200 places: Allocated exclusively to the 491 stream
This targeted increase underscores the Territory’s strategic push to attract migrants willing to settle in regional Australia.
Updated Sponsorship Requirements
Applicants should note the following changes to NT nomination criteria:
- Employment threshold: Full-time employment is now defined as 35 hours per week, which may be fulfilled through one or more workplaces on a part-time basis.
- Employer location: Applicants must work for an NT-based employer, except where services are delivered to NT residents or businesses from an external location.
- NT graduates without employment in their field: Must demonstrate 12 months of NT residency following course completion.
- NT graduates aged over 35: Those ineligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) must show current employment or a formal job offer.
- NT graduates in regional or remote areas outside greater Darwin: Need only three months of work experience, or a job offer in a critical sector.
The offshore NT priority occupation stream remains closed to new applications due to existing processing backlogs. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the official NT Migration website for full eligibility criteria.
Northern Territory Launches New Zealand Recruitment Drive
In a parallel initiative, the Northern Territory Government has commenced an all-expenses-paid recruitment tour across New Zealand, with stops in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. The campaign aims to attract New Zealand citizens to the Territory amid rising unemployment in New Zealand, which recently reached 5.6 per cent, its highest level in 11 years.
Given that New Zealand’s population sits at approximately 5.37 million and the Northern Territory covers an area 5.3 times larger yet houses only 270,000 residents, the Government is positioning the campaign around abundant job opportunities and lifestyle advantages. Industry specialists anticipate strong interest given the economic conditions across the Tasman.
Student Visa Application Fees Tripled
The Federal Government has confirmed that student visa application fees have been increased from approximately AUD $700 to AUD $2,500, representing a threefold rise. The Education Minister has publicly stated that the additional revenue will be directed towards supporting more Australian students to undertake university degrees.
Immigration specialists at the Australian Immigration Agency note several concerns with this development:
- No corresponding reduction in domestic university fees has been announced despite the substantial revenue uplift.
- Offshore refusal rates remain elevated, with the Department of Home Affairs reportedly refusing applications to manage intake levels under the guise of “integrity reforms.”
- Many refusal letters reviewed by industry professionals contain inconsistencies, with case officers appearing to apply template reasoning without proper assessment of individual circumstances.
Applicants preparing student visa lodgements should ensure meticulous documentation and seek professional guidance to mitigate refusal risks.
New Points Test: March 2027 Implementation Expected
Credible sources have disclosed that the Department of Home Affairs plans to implement its revised points test programme by March 2027. The anticipated timeline suggests:
- From March 2027: Applicants will be required to lodge new Expressions of Interest (EOI) through the Department’s online system.
- From 1 July 2027: Invitation rounds are expected to commence under the new framework.
Proposed Changes to the Occupation List
A potential transition from the current ANZSIC 2013 classification to the updated ANZSIC 2022 version is anticipated. A correlation table is expected to be implemented, allowing applicants to carry over existing skills assessments until expiry, mirroring the transition from ASCO to ANZSIC codes in July 2010.
Points Table: Proposed Removals
Based on research published by the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, the following point categories are expected to be removed from the revised points test:
- Australian study
- Overseas work experience
- Regional study
- Professional Year programmes
- NAATI community language
- Partner skills
- Specialist education qualifications
Strategic Implications
This proposed model aligns with the Treasurer’s stated objective of attracting younger, highly skilled, and economically successful applicants with superior English proficiency. Key observations include:
- International students currently benefiting from Australian study points may lose a significant advantage.
- State and territory sponsorship will become increasingly valuable, particularly for older applicants or those with English proficiency below superior level.
- Australian work experience will likely become a decisive factor in invitation rounds.
- Trade occupations may remain competitive due to typically lower invitation thresholds.
The Australian Immigration Agency emphasises that the final structure remains unconfirmed. However, prospective applicants should begin preparing for these changes now, particularly those whose profiles may be disadvantaged under the proposed framework.
Key Takeaways
- The Northern Territory has released 1,850 skilled visa nominations for 2026–2027, with all additional places allocated to the 491 visa stream.
- Updated NT sponsorship requirements include a 35-hour weekly employment threshold and stricter post-study residency obligations.
- The Federal Government has tripled student visa application fees to AUD $2,500, with revenue directed towards domestic university funding.
- A revised points test is expected to take effect from March 2027, with invitations commencing from 1 July 2027.
- The proposed points table removes Australian study, overseas work experience, regional study, Professional Year, NAATI, partner skills, and specialist education points, favouring younger applicants with superior English proficiency.
How Australian Immigration Agency Can Help
The Australian Immigration Agency remains at the forefront of Australia’s evolving migration landscape. Whether you are navigating the Northern Territory nomination process, preparing a student visa application, or strategising around the imminent points test changes, our team of qualified immigration professionals is here to provide expert guidance.
Book a consultation today to ensure your application strategy is aligned with the latest policy developments. Time-sensitive matters can also be addressed by calling our office directly.
