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- Aug
Government to offer incentives as part of $50m population strategy for Northern Territory move
Families that move to the NT to work in “high priority jobs” will receive more than $15,000 over five years from the NT Government, as part of its newly unveiled population strategy.
High priority occupations
- Chief executive or managing director
- Sales and marketing manager
- Engineering manager
- Hotel or motel manager
- Accountants
- Librarians
- Aeroplane pilot
- Mechanical engineer
- Early childhood teacher
- University lecturer
- Retail pharmacist
- General practitioner
- Fitter (general)
- Plumber (general)
- Electrician (general)
- Chef
- Cook
- Hairdresser
- Cabinetmaker
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker
- Parole or probation officer
- Property manager
- Forklift driver
For the full list, including “priority occupations” see here
Chief Minister Michael Gunner released the plan to create 21,000 jobs and add $10 billion to the economy over the next decade, which will start by giving financial aid to new Territorians in certain jobs, to help with living and moving costs.
That will be to the tune of $3,000 for individuals, $6,000 for couples and $7,000 for families.
“Just about every regional centre in Australia is trying to grow their population. It’s a national trend,”. On top of immediate financial aid, all new Territorians will be eligible for a $1,250 local benefit bonus, to spend in the first two years on car and licence registration, child care and local businesses.
If people commit and make it past five years, they will also be eligible for another cash payment, the same value as the original figure, for singles, couples or families to spend as they wish.
“The total benefit for a family would be more than $15,000 over five years.
“This is mounting a pretty strong case to make the move.” In total, the Government will spend nearly $14 million on the incentives, which will also be available for overseas migrants. Registration for the financial bonus will open November 1 this year.
To receive a payment participants will first have to update their details through things like Medicare to become a “counted Territorian”. This will then allow the NT Government to receive about an extra $11,000 per person through the GST.
Strategy could create ‘21,000 jobs’ during next 10 years
The Government said its goal is to return to a population growth rate of 1.4 per cent, more than double the current rate of 0.6 per cent. That would require the NT to attract, or retain an extra 2,600 people a year.
If this growth is achieved, Mr Gunner said it would add about 21,000 jobs and more than $10 billion to the economy over the next decade.
In addition to the payments, there will also be a special strategy to attract both humanitarian and skilled migrants, particularly in countries like the Philippines, India, Nepal and New Zealand that already have established communities in the NT. “We’re comfortable taking anyone from anywhere when it comes to humanitarian schemes, refugees, anyone coming into Australia should feel welcome here.”
The Government said it plans to negotiate a new agreement with the Commonwealth to allow Territory employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers in areas experiencing shortages.
For more information about occupations open to skilled migration, read the NT migration occupation list or get in touch with our migration team at info@australasiaeduconnect.com.au.
Sources:
- http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-22/population-strategy-northern-territory-financial-incentives/10152126
- https://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/punjabi/en/article/2018/08/23/15000-offer-families-willing-move-northern-territory