The whole of the Northern Territory is considered "regional" for the purposes for migration. Should you choose to seek Northern Territory Government sponsorship for an SIR visa you can choose to live in the capital, Darwin, or any major regional centres such as Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek or Nhulunbuy.

The Northern Territory is focused on attracting people and having them live, work, study and establish businesses in the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory migration program seeks people who are likely to gain employment quickly and to settle long term in the Northern Territory.

In assessing your sponsorship request the following criteria will be applied:

• Do you or your spouse have a skill that is in shortage in the Northern Territory?
• Did you complete eligible studies on a Northern Territory University campus?
• Do you or your spouse have family, friends, community or other links in the Northern Territory?

Applying for a SIR visa is a two-stage process. To be eligible for a SIR visa you will need sponsorship from an Australian State or Territory. The initial visa you will granted will be a provisional or temporary residence visa for three years.

How do I gain my SIR Provisional visa?

To be eligible for the SIR (Provisional) visa and to seek State or Territory sponsorship you will need to gain at least 110 points on the General Skilled Migration points test.

• Be under 45 years old;
• Have vocational level English;
• Nominate a skilled occupation on the DIAC Skilled Occupation List and have your qualifications assessed by the relevant Australian assessing authority as suitable for that occupation;
• Have recently completed an Australian qualification or have recent work experience in the skilled occupation you have nominated;
• Have sponsorship from an Australian State or Territory Government.

How do I apply for Northern Territory Government SIR sponsorship?

To seek Northern Territory Government sponsorship you need to follow these steps.

• Determine if you have the necessary 110 points to apply for the SIR visa.
• Have your skills assessed by the relevant Australian assessing authority and provide a copy of that assessment.
• Determine whether you meet the Northern Territory criteria for SIR sponsorship which is outlined above.
• Complete the Form 1244 which can be obtained from a DIAC office or downloaded from the DIAC website.
• Complete a Northern Territory sponsorship application form, sign the Acknowledgements and Declarations by applicants for Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) visa Sponsorship form and return both together with a copy of your curriculum vitae and any other supporting documents to Northern Territory Business and Skilled Migration Services for sponsorship assessment.

If you are assessed eligible for Northern Territory sponsorship you will be advised and asked to sign a sponsorship agreement.

You will also need to show that you and your family have sufficient money/assets to successfully settle in the Northern Territory. (The amount required will vary depending on family composition and whether or not family support networks exist)

The recommended minimum value of net assets required for settling in the Northern Territory, based on family composition, are:

Where a family has more than two children, for each additional dependent child, an extra $5 000 should be added to the minimum annual net asset value of $65 000. You should also allow extra for initial establishment costs in the Northern Territory.

Northern Territory Business and Skilled Migration Services will return the signed Form 1244 to you if you are successful in obtaining sponsorship. This signed Form 1244 must be included with your Application for Migration (Form 47SK) together with the other supporting documentation that DIAC requires to assess your visa application.

SIR visa applications receive priority processing by DIAC.

Once I have my SIR Provisional visa what do I need to do to become a permanent resident?

As an SIR visa holder you are required to live in a regional area of Australia for at least two years and work or operate a business in regional Australia for at least one year before you can apply for permanent residence.

There are three options for you to move to become a permanent resident:

• A Northern Territory employer can sponsor you under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).
• The Northern Territory Government can sponsor you under the State/Territory Nominated Independent (STNI).
• You can apply for a Business Skills Entry Provisional visa or a State/Territory Sponsored Business Skills Entry Provisional visa based on a business you have established in the Northern Territory.