Why work in NT?
There is a serious shortage of skilled workers in the NT ranging from bakers, cooks and hairdressers to motor mechanics, painters, carpenters and tilers. Aged/disability/community workers and hospitality workers are also in short supply. Basically, all of the trades are represented in skilled shortages in the NT. Managers, supervisors in hospitality and construction are also in short supply. Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses or pharmacists will easily find vacancies. Farm managers are also welcomed by our growing agricultural industry which includes mango, jack fruit, dragon fruit, grape fruit and papaya. Local employers in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs are often more willing to sponsor skilled workers and international graduates because there are no locals willing to fill those positions. The NT government gives priority to skilled people who have either completed 2 years of studies in the NT or have been resident in the NT and engaged in their occupation for as little as 6 months. Median salary in the NT was $1500/week or $78,000/ year (ABS figures 1/3/21). If you are an international student and about to graduate or transferring to a graduate 485 visa, you need to plan a clear pathway to permanent residence sooner than later. If you cannot find an employer or State government willing to nominated you, then you should look north to the NT.
Facts about Darwin
Forget the myths and fake rumors you have heard about Darwin. Here are the real up-to-date facts: - The City of Darwin and the satellite City of Palmerston have a total population of 100,000 people. Darwin International Airport has direct flights to London, Singapore and many other international routes. Qantas and Air North fly to Bali and East Timor each week. - From April to October the ‘Dry Season’ weather is dry and warm at 32C degrees during the day and night time temperatures dropping to 21C degrees or lower. November to March is the ‘Wet Season’ with daily rain and humidity around 75%. Daytime temperature is 35C degrees. However, most homes and indoor facilities have air-conditioning. Car travel is usually around 15 minutes to most destinations and parking is easy. Metering is only in the CBD during offices hours and Saturday mornings. - Charles Darwin University has faculties in Medicine, Nursing, Law, Education, Business, Engineering, Accounting and all the major professions. Local graduates usually find employment here. CDU has campuses in Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs. The Alice campus alone have about 300 graduates each year. A new A$750 million CBD Campus will be completed for CDU by 2024 next to the GPO and provide Law and Business courses for 4000 students. - There are other CRICOS registered Colleges in Darwin that teach hospitality, business and other skills and welcome international students. - There are several major shopping centers in Darwin and all the big-name retailers are represented such as Coles, Woolies, Kmart, Big W, Spotlight, Bunnings, Anaconda, JB Hifi, Harvey Norman and Good Guys. Fast food outlets such as McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jack and Domino Pizzas are dotted throughout the city and suburbs. The cost of food in supermarkets may be marginally higher than southern counterparts but there are specialist fruit and vegetable groceries at the week-end markets for locally grown goods. If you like good fresh food such as mud crabs, barramundi, mangoes, bananas, jack fruit, dragon fruit or papaya at low prices, you will find them all in Darwin.