Hard to fill jobs in the NT
The Northern Territory (NT) Government identifies jobs in high demand or that are critical to the local economy and industry. This is known as the Northern Territory skilled occupation priority list (NTSOPL).
The jobs for 2019 are listed below. The list is developed annually and updated in March each year.
Some jobs have been grouped together and placed into the next category unit group level to allow a broader scope of occupations to be covered. These jobs are identified with an asterisk.
Jobs and skill levels
The jobs listed on this page have all been assigned an Australian and New Zealand standard classification of occupation (ANZSCO) code and skill level.
The codes and skill levels are used for a range of purposes, including on application forms for migration to the NT and Australia.
Skill level numbers show the level of qualifications or experience needed for each job, in the following order:
- ANZSCO skill level 1 - bachelor degree or higher qualification
- ANZSCO skill level 2 - associate degree, advanced diploma or diploma
- ANZSCO skill level 3 - certificate III or certificate IV
- ANZSCO skill level 4 - certificate II or certificate III
- ANZSCO skill level 5 - certificate I or compulsory secondary education.
For more information go to the ANZSCO page of the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
Skilled migration
For more information about occupations open to skilled migration, read the NT migration occupation list.
You can find information on migrate to work on the The Territory website, or email Migration NT at migration@nt.gov.au.
How to report a hard to fill job
If you have a job vacancy in your business that is hard to fill, you can report it to the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT (ISACNT).
ISACNT works with business and peak industry bodies throughout the year to gather evidence about hard to fill jobs and makes recommendations to the NT Government.
To find out more, go to the ISACNT website.
Read the information paper used to determine which jobs are included on the list.
NT skilled occupation priority list information paper PDF (356.7 KB)
NT skilled occupation priority list information paper DOCX (326.1 KB)
NT skilled occupation priority list
Read below to find a list of current high priority, priority and industry priority jobs.
| ANZSCO code | Occupation | ANZSCO skill level |
|---|---|---|
| 134111 | Child Care Centre Manager | 1 |
| 134214 | Welfare Centre Manager | 1 |
| 135112 | ICT Project Manager | 1 |
| 135199 | ICT Managers nec | 1 |
| 139911 | Arts Administrator or Manager | 1 |
| 139999 | Specialist Managers nec | 1 |
| 141111 | Cafe or Restaurant Manager | 2 |
| 141311 | Hotel or Motel Manager | 2 |
| 142111 | Retail Manager (General) | 2 |
| 221111 | Accountant (General) | 1 |
| 221112 | Management Accountant | 1 |
| 223113 | Workplace Relations Adviser | 1 |
| 224611 | Librarian | 1 |
| 224712 | Organisation and Methods Analyst | 1 |
| 231111 | Aeroplane Pilot | 1 |
| 231213 | Ship's Master | 1 |
| 232212 | Surveyor | 1 |
| 233512 | Mechanical Engineer | 1 |
| 234313 | Environmental Research Scientist | 1 |
| 234411 | Geologist | 1 |
| 241111 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 1 |
| 241213 | Primary School Teacher | 1 |
| 241311 | Middle School Teacher (Aus) \ Intermediate School Teacher (NZ) | 1 |
| 241411 | Secondary School Teacher | 1 |
| 242211 | Vocational Education Teacher (Aus) \ Polytechnic Teacher (NZ) | 1 |
| 249311 | Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages | 1 |
| 251211 | Medical Diagnostic Radiographer | 1 |
| 251312 | Occupational Health and Safety Adviser | 1 |
| 251511 | Hospital Pharmacist | 1 |
| 251513 | Retail Pharmacist | 1 |
| 251911 | Health Promotion Officer | 1 |
| 252411 | Occupational Therapist | 1 |
| 252511 | Physiotherapist | 1 |
| 2527* | Speech Professionals and Audiologists nfd | 1 |
| 2531* | Generalist Medical Practitioners nfd | 1 |
| 253211 | Anaesthetist | 1 |
| 253311 | Specialist Physician (General Medicine) | 1 |
| 253312 | Cardiologist | 1 |
| 253317 | Intensive Care Specialist | 1 |
| 253321 | Paediatrician | 1 |
| 253399 | Specialist Physicians nec | 1 |
| 253411 | Psychiatrist | 1 |
| 253511 | Surgeon (General) | 1 |
| 253514 | Orthopaedic Surgeon | 1 |
| 253912 | Emergency Medicine Specialist | 1 |
| 253913 | Obstetrician and Gynaecologist | 1 |
| 253914 | Ophthalmologist | 1 |
| 253915 | Pathologist | 1 |
| 254111 | Midwife | 1 |
| 254311 | Nurse Manager | 1 |
| 2544* | Registered Nurse | 1 |
| 261111 | ICT Business Analyst | 1 |
| 261112 | Systems Analyst | 1 |
| 261312 | Developer Programmer | 1 |
| 261313 | Software Engineer | 1 |
| 262112 | ICT Security Specialist | 1 |
| 263213 | ICT Systems Test Engineer | 1 |
| 271311 | Solicitor | 1 |
| 272112 | Drug and Alcohol Counsellor | 1 |
| 272311 | Clinical Psychologist | 1 |
| 272399 | Psychologists nec | 1 |
| 272511 | Social Worker | 1 |
| 312111 | Architectural Draftsperson | 2 |
| 313111 | Hardware Technician | 2 |
| 321211 | Motor Mechanic (General) | 3 |
| 341111 | Electrician (General) | 3 |
| 351311 | Chef | 2 |
| 351411 | Cook | 3 |
| 411311 | Diversional Therapist | 3 |
| 411511 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker | 2 |
| 411711 | Community Worker | 2 |
| 411712 | Disabilities Services Officer | 2 |
| 411713 | Family Support Worker | 2 |
| 411716 | Youth Worker | 2 |
| 421111 | Child Care Worker | 4 |
| 423111 | Aged or Disabled Carer | 4 |
| 423313 | Personal Care Assistant | 4 |
| 431111 | Bar Attendant | 4 |
| 431511 | Waiter | 4 |
| 442111 | Prison Officer | 4 |
| 612112 | Property Manager | 3 |
| 731211 | Bus Driver | 4 |
| 733111 | Truck Driver (General) | 4 |
Definitions
- ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation is a skill-based occupation classification standard used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics
- nec - not elsewhere classified is a term used to describe occupation that has not been classified anywhere else under the ANZSCO classification system
* Four-digit ANZSCO Unit Group code incorporates occupations within this group.
Example ANZSCO Unit Group code 2544 - Registered Nurses has 13 individual occupations within the next level.
Source: NT Department of Trade Business and Innovation.
| ANZSCO code | Occupation | ANZSCO skill level |
|---|---|---|
| 121213 | Fruit or Nut Grower | 1 |
| 121221 | Vegetable Grower (Aus) \ Market Gardener (NZ) | 1 |
| 121312 | Beef Cattle Farmer | 1 |
| 131112 | Sales and Marketing Manager | 1 |
| 132111 | Corporate Services Manager | 1 |
| 132311 | Human Resource Manager | 1 |
| 133111 | Construction Project Manager | 1 |
| 133211 | Engineering Manager | 1 |
| 133511 | Production Manager (Forestry) | 1 |
| 133513 | Production Manager (Mining) | 1 |
| 133611 | Supply and Distribution Manager | 1 |
| 134299 | Health and Welfare Services Managers nec | 1 |
| 134411 | Faculty Head | 1 |
| 134499 | Education Managers nec | 1 |
| 139914 | Quality Assurance Manager | 1 |
| 141211 | Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager | 2 |
| 141411 | Licensed Club Manager | 2 |
| 141999 | Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec | 2 |
| 149212 | Customer Service Manager | 2 |
| 149311 | Conference and Event Organiser | 2 |
| 149913 | Facilities Manager | 2 |
| 149999 | Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec | 2 |
| 212317 | Technical Director | 1 |
| 212318 | Video Producer | 1 |
| 223111 | Human Resource Adviser | 1 |
| 223112 | Recruitment Consultant | 1 |
| 223311 | Training and Development Professional | 1 |
| 224512 | Valuer | 1 |
| 225113 | Marketing Specialist | 1 |
| 231199 | Air Transport Professionals nec | 1 |
| 231212 | Ship's Engineer | 1 |
| 231214 | Ship's Officer | 1 |
| 232214 | Other Spatial Scientist | 1 |
| 232411 | Graphic Designer | 1 |
| 232511 | Interior Designer | 1 |
| 233211 | Civil Engineer | 1 |
| 233212 | Geotechnical Engineer | 1 |
| 233311 | Electrical Engineer | 1 |
| 233411 | Electronics Engineer | 1 |
| 233611 | Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) | 1 |
| 233612 | Petroleum Engineer | 1 |
| 233999 | Engineering Professionals nec | 1 |
| 234112 | Agricultural Scientist | 1 |
| 234312 | Environmental Consultant | 1 |
| 234711 | Veterinarian | 1 |
| 234912 | Metallurgist | 1 |
| 241599 | Special Education Teachers nec | 1 |
| 249111 | Education Adviser | 1 |
| 251214 | Sonographer | 1 |
| 251311 | Environmental Health Officer | 1 |
| 251411 | Optometrist | 1 |
| 252111 | Chiropractor | 1 |
| 252312 | Dentist | 1 |
| 253314 | Medical Oncologist | 1 |
| 253322 | Renal Medicine Specialist | 1 |
| 253515 | Otorhinolaryngologist | 1 |
| 253917 | Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist | 1 |
| 261311 | Analyst Programmer | 1 |
| 262113 | Systems Administrator | 1 |
| 263111 | Computer Network and Systems Engineer | 1 |
| 263212 | ICT Support Engineer | 1 |
| 263311 | Telecommunications Engineer | 1 |
| 263312 | Telecommunications Network Engineer | 1 |
| 272113 | Family and Marriage Counsellor | 1 |
| 272115 | Student Counsellor | 1 |
| 272199 | Counsellors nec | 1 |
| 272312 | Educational Psychologist | 1 |
| 272412 | Interpreter | 1 |
| 272413 | Translator | 1 |
| 272499 | Social Professionals nec | 1 |
| 272611 | Community Arts Worker | 1 |
| 272613 | Welfare Worker | 1 |
| 311215 | Pharmacy Technician | 2 |
| 312114 | Construction Estimator | 2 |
| 312116 | Surveying or Spatial Science Technician | 2 |
| 312211 | Civil Engineering Draftsperson | 2 |
| 312312 | Electrical Engineering Technician | 2 |
| 312412 | Electronic Engineering Technician | 2 |
| 312912 | Metallurgical or Materials Technician | 2 |
| 312913 | Mine Deputy | 2 |
| 411213 | Dental Technician | 2 |
| 411214 | Dental Therapist | 2 |
| 411411 | Enrolled Nurse | 2 |
| 511111 | Contract Administrator | 2 |
| 511112 | Program or Project Administrator | 2 |
| 512111 | Office Manager | 2 |
| 599111 | Conveyancer | 2 |
| 732111 | Delivery Driver | 4 |
| 741111 | Storeperson | 4 |
Definitions
- ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation is a skill-based occupation classification standard used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics
- nec - not elsewhere classified is a term used to describe occupation that has not been classified anywhere else under the ANZSCO classification system
* Four-digit ANZSCO Unit Group code incorporates occupations within this group.
Example ANZSCO Unit Group code 2544 - Registered Nurses has 13 individual occupations within the next level.
Source: NT Department of Trade Business and Innovation.
| ANZSCO code | Occupation | ANZSCO skill level |
|---|---|---|
| 121111 | Aquaculture Farmer | 1 |
| 121216 | Mixed Crop Farmer | 1 |
| 142116 | Travel Agency Manager | 2 |
| 234412 | Geophysicist | 1 |
| 241512 | Teacher of the Hearing Impaired | 1 |
| 252311 | Dental Specialist | 1 |
| 253318 | Neurologist | 1 |
| 253324 | Thoracic Medicine Specialist | 1 |
| 253513 | Neurosurgeon | 1 |
| 253911 | Dermatologist | 1 |
| 312511 | Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson | 2 |
| 321111 | Automotive Electrician | 3 |
| 3212* | Motor Mechanics - Diesel, Motorcycle, Small Engine | 3 |
| 322211 | Sheetmetal Trades Worker | 3 |
| 322311 | Metal Fabricator | 3 |
| 322312 | Pressure Welder | 3 |
| 322313 | Welder (First Class) (Aus) \ Welder (NZ) | 3 |
| 323111 | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) | 3 |
| 323112 | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical) | 3 |
| 323211 | Fitter (General) | 3 |
| 323212 | Fitter and Turner | 3 |
| 323213 | Fitter-Welder | 3 |
| 324111 | Panelbeater | 3 |
| 324311 | Vehicle Painter | 3 |
| 3312* | Carpenter, Carpenter and Joiner | 3 |
| 333111 | Glazier | 3 |
| 334111 | Plumber (General) | 3 |
| 334114 | Gasfitter | 3 |
| 342111 | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic | 3 |
| 342211 | Electrical Linesworker (Aus) \ Electrical Line Mechanic (NZ) | 3 |
| 342314 | Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General) | 3 |
| 342315 | Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class) | 3 |
| 342411 | Cabler (Data and Telecommunications) | 3 |
| 342412 | Telecommunications Cable Jointer | 3 |
| 342413 | Telecommunications Linesworker (Aus) \ Telecommunications Line Mechanic (NZ) | 3 |
| 351111 | Baker | 3 |
| 351112 | Pastrycook | 3 |
| 351211 | Butcher or Smallgoods Maker | 3 |
| 361311 | Veterinary Nurse | 3 |
| 362212 | Arborist | 3 |
| 362213 | Landscape Gardener | 3 |
| 391111 | Hairdresser | 3 |
| 394111 | Cabinetmaker | 3 |
| 399212 | Gas or Petroleum Operator | 3 |
| 399512 | Camera Operator (Film, Television or Video) | 3 |
| 399513 | Light Technician | 3 |
| 399516 | Sound Technician | 3 |
| 399911 | Diver | 3 |
| 399913 | Optical Dispenser (Aus) \ Dispensing Optician (NZ) | 3 |
| 411714 | Parole or Probation Officer | 2 |
| 421112 | Family Day Care Worker | 4 |
| 421114 | Out of School Hours Care Worker | 4 |
| 423211 | Dental Assistant | 4 |
| 423312 | Nursing Support Worker | 4 |
| 423411 | Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant | 4 |
| 431112 | Barista | 4 |
| 431311 | Gaming Worker | 4 |
| 431411 | Hotel Service Manager | 3 |
| 442213 | Crowd Controller | 4 |
| 451111 | Beauty Therapist | 4 |
| 451211 | Driving Instructor | 3 |
| 451411 | Gallery or Museum Guide | 4 |
| 451412 | Tour Guide | 4 |
| 451611 | Tourist Information Officer | 4 |
| 451815 | First Aid Trainer | 3 |
| 452315 | Swimming Coach or Instructor | 3 |
| 542113 | Hotel or Motel Receptionist | 4 |
| 551111 | Accounts Clerk | 4 |
| 551211 | Bookkeeper | 4 |
| 599711 | Library Assistant | 4 |
| 599915 | Clinical Coder | 3 |
| 611211 | Insurance Agent | 3 |
| 612114 | Real Estate Agent | 3 |
| 621312 | Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter (Aus) \ Automotive Parts Salesperson (NZ) | 4 |
| 621511 | Retail Supervisor | 4 |
| 711211 | Industrial Spraypainter | 4 |
| 711914 | Sterilisation Technician | 4 |
| 7122* | Driller, Miner and Shot Firer nfd | 4 |
| 721111 | Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator | 4 |
| 721211 | Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) | 4 |
| 721214 | Excavator Operator | 4 |
| 721311 | Forklift Driver | 4 |
| 721912 | Linemarker | 4 |
| 811411 | Commercial Housekeeper | 5 |
| 821711 | Construction Rigger | 4 |
| 831313 | Seafood Process Worker | 5 |
| 841111 | Aquaculture Worker | 5 |
| 841211 | Fruit or Nut Farm Worker | 5 |
| 841214 | Vegetable Farm Worker (Aus) \ Market Garden Worker (NZ) | 5 |
| 841913 | Pest Controller | 4 |
| 841999 | Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers nec | 5 |
| 899211 | Deck Hand | 4 |
| 899212 | Fishing Hand | 4 |
Definitions
- ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation is a skill-based occupation classification standard used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics
- nec - not elsewhere classified is a term used to describe occupation that has not been classified anywhere else under the ANZSCO classification system
* Four-digit ANZSCO Unit Group code incorporates occupations within this group.
Example ANZSCO Unit Group code 2544 - Registered Nurses has 13 individual occupations within the next level.
Source: NT Department of Trade Business and Innovation.
Download the NT skilled occupation priority list PDF (154.2 KB).
Last updated: 18 July 2019