Attracting Workers And Students To Grow Territory

The Finocchiaro CLP Government will deliver an annual $2 million package over the next two years to attract workers and international students to the Northern Territory, growing both our population and our economy.

Minister for International Education, Migration and Population Robyn Cahill said it was integral that the Territory remained at the forefront as the preferred destination for both workforce attraction and international student attraction.

“The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering on its commitment of 2025 being a year of action, certainty and security by assisting Territory businesses to recruit and retain overseas workers,” said Ms Cahill.

“We are focused on cementing the Territory’s reputation as a competitive destination to study, work and live as we work to rebuild our economy and restore the Territory’s lifestyle.”

For international students, marketing activities will continue to target both prospective students as well as education agents.

The funding will deliver:

skilled migration programs,worker attraction and retention activities,ensure timely processing of visa applications,and international education marketing and program delivery to attract and retain international workers and students.

Prabin Maharjan, owner of Dukes Café and Eatery in Darwin, came to Australia as an international student from Nepal.

His decision to move to the Territory allowed him to put his entrepreneurial spirt to good use in a city that he loves.

“I run Dukes Café and Eatery in Darwin, which is celebrating its third year of operation. I also have another business, Brew Dreams, which offers coffee training, based at The Gardens,” said Mr Maharjan.

“Brew Dreams has been a passion project for me, a not-for-profit program dedicated to empowering young people and jobseekers through barista training. It’s the only coffee school in the NT with a classroom-based setup and accredited trainers.

“I may be biased, of course, but my café business, Dukes Café and Eatery is the best café in the best town. Living in Darwin is like living in a big community, and a place where people help each other. I enjoy feeling part of the broader community.”

Later this month the Government, along with industry, will deliver online seminars to attract more workers to the Territory, from the UK, Ireland and South Africa.

In a strategic first, the CLP Government is trialling online seminars, allowing more accessibility for industry to join the promotional showcase, as well as more flexibility for attendees to join online.

Ms Cahill said: “Territory employers are encouraged to log their jobs on WorkerConnect now so their vacancies can be discovered by jobseekers.”

“Workers from the UK, Ireland and South Africa are some of our top targets for workers in the health, hospitality and engineering sectors. We know that many workers will bring families to the Territory, and there are also opportunities for spouses as we look to grow our population,” she said.

The UK, Ireland and South African information sessions are part of the Global Worker Attraction program which is designed to raise the profile of the Northern Territory and promote it as a desirable place to live and work.

Territory employers can post their vacancies for free on the WorkerConnect at Jobs in Australia’s Northern Territory here