The Northern Territory is an Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. It shares borders with Western Australia to the west, South Australia to the south and Queensland to the east. To the north, the territory looks out to the Timor Sea, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria, including Western New Guinea and other islands of the Indonesian archipelago.

Darwin

Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory. It is a modern city highly valued by its diverse and highly multicultural population, with a strong position in business and industry.

Darwin has evolved from its days as a laid-back frontier town and while it still retains its relaxed charm, it has become a sophisticated city. Many visitors are surprised to find that it has accommodation, eateries, clubs, pubs, museums and other amenities that are equal to what you’ll find in the southern cities.

The city is characterized by its many exciting cultural festivals and weekly food and craft markets.

Population

Darwin has an estimated population of over 140,000 people, which accounts for 0.60% of Australia population. Darwin is the least populated capital city in Australia.

Weather

Darwin has a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons and the average maximum temperature is similar all year round. The dry season runs from about May to September, during which nearly every day is sunny.

The driest period of the year is between May and September. In the coolest months of June and July, the daily minimum temperature may dip as low as 14 °C.

Education and living costs

Life in Darwin is very much focused on enjoying the outdoors. Whether it is catching up with friends, commuting to work via bicycle or exploring the abundance of natural beauty that surrounds Darwin with its national parks, there is a lot to see and do.

Recreational activities

Darwin is incredibly popular with both residents and tourists alike, mainly due to the abundance of nature the city has surrounding it. Rainforests, springs and national parks (including Australia’s largest – Kakadu) attract an abundance of visitors every year as the people like to make the most of the balmy nights, hot days and outdoor lifestyle.

Being so close to the coast means that Darwin will always have fresh seafood available, but you’ll also see people making the most of the diverse cultural influences in Darwin’s expanding restaurant scene. There is a fantastic fusion of Asian influences, traditional European eateries and Australian Barbecue together with Indian, Greek and Chinese restaurants.

Getting around

Darwin is a breeze when it comes to manoeuvring around the city. Not only is there minimal traffic and next to no parking issues, but the public transport situation is also easy to navigate. Darwin’s public transport options connect all the major attractions of Darwin as well as the suburbs, including Casuarina and Palmerston.

To make your transition into your new home in Darwin easier, it’s a good idea to know the ins and outs of the cost of living in Darwin. You can use this guide to help you prepare for your move to Darwin.

Average costs of livinf in Darwin

  • Food: $45 – $200 per week
  • Housing: $250 – $500 per week
  • Entertainment: $15 – $150 per week
  • Utilities: $50 – $150 per week
  • Fuel: $15 – $80 per week
  • Public transport: $3 – $42 per week
  • Housing in Darwin

    The housing prices in Darwin are much lower than the Australian average. This is great news if you are hoping to find the perfect new home in Darwin.
    On average, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center will cost around $1,151.68 a month.
    This can be compared to the national average of $1,692.43 per month.

    Public Transport

    In Darwin, public transport is very affordable. This makes it easy to get around and convenient to go to and from work. The main form of public transport in Darwin is the bus system, which is widespread and easy to use.

    Bus services in Darwin are cheap and it will only cost you $3 to travel for 3 hours.

    You can also catch a ferry to Mandorah, which costs $26 return or $15.50 one way.

    Food and groceries

    When it comes to food, your cost of living in Darwin should be slightly lower than in other parts of Australia. Milk, white bread, white rice, and potatoes are all more affordable than the national average.

    The grocery prices in Darwin are 4.89% lower than the Australian average.

Darwin’s unemployment rate is incredibly low, sitting at 3.24% – almost half of Australia’s 6% average. There is a high demand for industries of all calibres and even though Darwin is a hub for Gas, Oil and Defence, there are also opportunities in the health, management, administration, hospitality and tourism sectors, and in addition to this the Northern Territory is booming as multi-million-dollar developments create an online presence in the region.

Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) Government can nominate you for a skilled visa if you:

  • meet Australian Government’s standard requirements, and
  • meet NT Government’s nomination eligibility, and
  • commit to living and working in the Territory within your skilled occupation for at least three years upon the grant of your visa.

The NT Government participates in the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa and Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa schemes.

These visas are generally for young, skilled people with good levels of English.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa

  • You will need a nomination from an Australian state or territory government such as Australia’s NT Government or an eligible family member
  • This is a provisional five year visa that will allow you and your dependant family members to live, work and study in a regional area such as the NT
  • If you are nominated for the subclass 491 by the NT Government, you and your dependant family members will be expected to live, work and study in the NT for at least three years before qualifying for a permanent residency pathway
  • You may be subject to reporting commitments by the Department of Home Affairs
  • You may have to provide supporting evidence and / or attend an interview with the Department of Home Affairs to show that you are or have been living and working in regional Australia

The NT Government may also conduct independent compliance checks and / or surveys to ensure that you are still living and working in the NT.

Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa

  • You will need a nomination from an Australian state or territory government such as Australia’s NT Government
  • This is a permanent visa which lets you stay in Australia indefinitely
  • If you are nominated for the subclass 190 by the NT Government, you will be expected to live and work in the Territory for at least three years from visa grant

For more information visit: https://theterritory.com.au

To discover whether you are eligible for a Skilled visa to live and work in Darwin (NT), we invite you to take VisAustralia’s Migration Assessment Tool or to book a consultation with one of our expert migration lawyers.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a remote town in Australia’s Northern Territory, halfway between Darwin and Adelaide, both 1,500km away. It’s a popular gateway for exploring the country’s interior desert region.

Known to locals simply as “Alice”, it’s the beating heart of Australia’s Red Centre and one of the largest towns in the Northern Territory. Alice is also a fascinating spot to explore Australia’s Aboriginal culture and unique wildlife.

While there is plenty to do in the town itself, Alice Springs is also a great base for exploring the natural wonders of the outback, including Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Population

The Estimated Resident Population of the Alice Springs Town Council LGA was 26,390 as of the 30th June 2019.

Weather

Alice Springs has a subtropical hot desert climate, featuring extremely hot, dry summers and short, mild winters. Temperatures in Alice Springs vary widely, and rainfall can vary quite dramatically from year to year. In summer, the average maximum temperature is in the mid-30s, whereas in winter the average minimum temperature can be 5.5 °C (41.9 °F).

Education and living costs

The Northern Territory is one of Australia’s most culturally diverse places. There are over 100 nationalities and around 140 social, cultural and religious organisations.

Immigrants have contributed enormously to the NT’s economy and culture, in particular Greek and Asian immigrants.

You can attend cultural festivals organised by the Greek, Indian and other communities. Chinese New Year is celebrated.

Religious freedom and mutual respect are an integral part of the NT’s shared culture. There are Islamic mosques, Buddhist and Chinese temples and a range of Christian churches.

Things to do in Alice Springs

Watch the sunrise from a hot-air balloon, meet Aboriginal artists in one of the town’s excellent art galleries, join a four-wheel-drive and camping tour or hike through the nearby ranges.

Explore the desert landscapes on a camel, Can-am ATV or mountain bike. You can even swim in an outback waterhole.

Drop in to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which supports an area of more than 7 million square kilometres. Learn about Alice Springs’ plants, animals and landscapes at the Alice Springs Desert Park or the Reptile Centre. Head just out of town to cuddle a baby kangaroo at the Kangaroo Sanctuary.

The Northern Territory is one of Australia’s most culturally diverse places. There are over 100 nationalities and around 140 social, cultural and religious organisations.

Immigrants have contributed enormously to the NT’s economy and culture, in particular Greek and Asian immigrants.

You can attend cultural festivals organised by the Greek, Indian and other communities. Chinese New Year is celebrated.

Religious freedom and mutual respect are an integral part of the NT’s shared culture. There are Islamic mosques, Buddhist and Chinese temples and a range of Christian churches.

If you have any kind of qualification, getting a job will be usually easy for you. Even if you don’t have any, a pulse and a willingness to actually turn up to work gives you a kick-ass chance of getting a job.

Rates of pay tend to be higher than elsewhere in Australia and many jobs offer 6 weeks of annual leave per year.

Where to look for work:

Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) Government can nominate you for a skilled visa if you:

  • meet Australian Government’s standard requirements, and
  • meet NT Government’s nomination eligibility, and
  • commit to living and working in the Territory within your skilled occupation for at least three years upon the grant of your visa.

The NT Government participates in the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa and Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa schemes.

These visas are generally for young, skilled people with good levels of English.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa

  • You will need a nomination from an Australian state or territory government such as Australia’s NT Government or an eligible family member
  • This is a provisional five year visa that will allow you and your dependant family members to live, work and study in a regional area such as the NT
  • If you are nominated for the subclass 491 by the NT Government, you and your dependant family members will be expected to live, work and study in the NT for at least three years before qualifying for a permanent residency pathway
  • You may be subject to reporting commitments by the Department of Home Affairs
  • You may have to provide supporting evidence and / or attend an interview with the Department of Home Affairs to show that you are or have been living and working in regional Australia

The NT Government may also conduct independent compliance checks and / or surveys to ensure that you are still living and working in the NT.

Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa

  • You will need a nomination from an Australian state or territory government such as Australia’s NT Government
  • This is a permanent visa which lets you stay in Australia indefinitely
  • If you are nominated for the subclass 190 by the NT Government, you will be expected to live and work in the Territory for at least three years from visa grant

For more information visit: https://theterritory.com.au

To discover whether you are eligible for a Skilled visa to live and work in Alice Spring (NT), we invite you to take VisAustralia’s Migration Assessment Tool or to book a consultation with one of our expert migration lawyers.

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