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 2018 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 (134.3 kb)
NT skilled occupation priority list information paper (123.2 kb)
| ANZSCO code | Occupation | ANZSCO skill level |
|---|---|---|
| 111111 | Chief Executive or Managing Director | 1 |
| 121111 | Aquaculture Farmer | 1 |
| 121312 | Beef Cattle Farmer | 1 |
| 131112 | Sales and Marketing Manager | 1 |
| 132211 | Finance Manager | 1 |
| 133111 | Construction Project Manager | 1 |
| 133211 | Engineering Manager | 1 |
| 133513 | Production Manager (Mining) | 1 |
| 135111 | Chief Information Officer | 1 |
| 135112 | ICT Project Manager | 1 |
| 139911 | Arts Administrator or Manager | 1 |
| 139912 | Environmental Manager | 1 |
| 141311 | Hotel or Motel Manager | 2 |
| 142111 | Retail Manager (General) | 2 |
| 2211* | Accountants | 1 |
| 221213 | External Auditor | 1 |
| 223111 | Human Resource Adviser | 1 |
| 223311 | Training and Development Professional | 1 |
| 224611 | Librarian | 1 |
| 231111 | Aeroplane Pilot | 1 |
| 231212 | Ship's Engineer | 1 |
| 231213 | Ship's Master | 1 |
| 231214 | Ship's Officer | 1 |
| 233411 | Electronics Engineer | 1 |
| 233512 | Mechanical Engineer | 1 |
| 241111 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 1 |
| 242111 | University Lecturer | 1 |
| 242211 | Vocational Education Teacher | 1 |
| 251513 | Retail Pharmacist | 1 |
| 253111 | General Medical Practitioner | 1 |
| 2611* | ICT Business and Systems Analysts | 1 |
| 261313 | Software Engineer | 1 |
| 2621* | Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists | 1 |
| 312113 | Building Inspector | 2 |
| 3131* | ICT Support Technicians | 2 |
| 321211 | Motor Mechanic (General) | 3 |
| 323211 | Fitter (General) | 3 |
| 334111 | Plumber (General) | 3 |
| 341111 | Electrician (General) | 3 |
| 342111 | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic | 3 |
| 351311 | Chef | 2 |
| 351411 | Cook (includes Ethnic Cuisine) | 3 |
| 391111 | Hairdresser | 3 |
| 394111 | Cabinetmaker | 3 |
| 411511 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker | 2 |
| 411711 | Community Worker | 2 |
| 411712 | Disabilities Services Officer | 2 |
| 411714 | Parole or Probation Officer | 2 |
| 421111 | Child Care Worker | 4 |
| 423111 | Aged or Disabled Carer | 4 |
| 423313 | Personal Care Assistant | 4 |
| 612112 | Property Manager | 3 |
| 721311 | Forklift Driver | 4 |
* 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 |
| 121216 | Mixed Crop Farmer | 1 |
| 121221 | Vegetable Grower | 1 |
| 121399 | Livestock Farmers nec | 1 |
| 121411 | Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer | 1 |
| 132111 | Corporate Services Manager | 1 |
| 132311 | Human Resource Manager | 1 |
| 133611 | Supply and Distribution Manager | 1 |
| 134111 | Child Care Centre Manager | 1 |
| 134214 | Welfare Centre Manager | 1 |
| 134299 | Health and Welfare Services Managers nec | 1 |
| 134499 | Education Managers nec | 1 |
| 141111 | Cafe or Restaurant Manager | 2 |
| 141411 | Licensed Club Manager | 2 |
| 141999 | Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec | 2 |
| 142114 | Hair or Beauty Salon Manager | 2 |
| 149212 | Customer Service Manager | 2 |
| 149913 | Facilities Manager | 2 |
| 232212 | Surveyor | 1 |
| 2341* | Agricultural and Forestry Scientists | 1 |
| 234516 | Marine Biologist | 1 |
| 234711 | Veterinarian | 1 |
| 241599 | Special Education Teachers nec | 1 |
| 251311 | Environmental Health Officer | 1 |
| 252411 | Occupational Therapist | 1 |
| 252511 | Physiotherapist | 1 |
| 252712 | Speech Pathologist | 1 |
| 254311 | Nurse Manager | 1 |
| 2544* | Registered Nurses | 1 |
| 261212 | Web Developer | 1 |
| 261312 | Developer Programmer | 1 |
| 2631* | Computer Network Professionals | 1 |
| 272112 | Drug and Alcohol Counsellor | 1 |
| 272199 | Counsellors nec | 1 |
| 272311 | Clinical Psychologist | 1 |
| 272312 | Educational Psychologist | 1 |
| 272399 | Psychologists nec | 1 |
| 272412 | Interpreter | 1 |
| 272413 | Translator | 1 |
| 272511 | Social Worker | 1 |
| 272612 | Recreation Officer | 1 |
| 272613 | Welfare Worker | 1 |
| 311215 | Pharmacy Technician | 2 |
| 311412 | Earth Science Technician | 2 |
| 322311 | Metal Fabricator | 3 |
| 322313 | Welder (First Class) | 3 |
| 331212 | Carpenter | 3 |
| 342414 | Telecommunications Technician | 3 |
| 361311 | Veterinary Nurse | 3 |
| 362213 | Landscape Gardener | 3 |
| 411311 | Diversional Therapist | 2 |
| 411411 | Enrolled Nurse | 2 |
| 411713 | Family Support Worker | 2 |
| 411716 | Youth Worker | 2 |
| 431111 | Bar Attendant | 4 |
| 431511 | Waiter | 4 |
| 442111 | Prison Officer | 4 |
| 512111 | Office Manager | 2 |
| 551211 | Bookkeeper | 4 |
| 731211 | Bus Driver | 4 |
| 732111 | Delivery Driver | 4 |
| 733111 | Truck Driver (General) | 4 |
* 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 121299 | Crop Farmers nec | 1 |
| 121317 | Mixed Livestock Farmer | 1 |
| 133511 | Production Manager (Forestry) | 1 |
| 134213 | Primary Health Organisation Manager | 1 |
| 149311 | Conference and Event Organiser | 2 |
| 211199 | Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers nec | 1 |
| 224711 | Management Consultant | 1 |
| 225113 | Marketing Specialist | 1 |
| 225212 | ICT Business Development Manager | 1 |
| 232414 | Web Designer | 1 |
| 233911 | Aeronautical Engineer | 1 |
| 234399 | Environmental Scientists nec | 1 |
| 241512 | Teacher of the Hearing Impaired | 1 |
| 312212 | Civil Engineering Technician | 2 |
| 321111 | Automotive Electrician | 3 |
| 321212 | Diesel Motor Mechanic | 3 |
| 321213 | Motorcycle Mechanic | 3 |
| 321214 | Small Engine Mechanic | 3 |
| 322211 | Sheetmetal Trades Worker | 3 |
| 322312 | Pressure Welder | 3 |
| 323111 | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) | 3 |
| 323112 | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical) | 3 |
| 323212 | Fitter and Turner | 3 |
| 323213 | Fitter-Welder | 3 |
| 324111 | Panelbeater | 3 |
| 324311 | Vehicle Painter | 3 |
| 332111 | Floor Finisher | 3 |
| 333111 | Glazier | 3 |
| 334114 | Gasfitter | 3 |
| 342211 | Electrical Linesworker | 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 | 3 |
| 351111 | Baker | 3 |
| 351211 | Butcher or Smallgoods Maker | 3 |
| 362212 | Arborist | 3 |
| 399516 | Sound Technician | 3 |
| 399911 | Diver | 3 |
| 411715 | Residential Care Officer | 2 |
| 421112 | Family Day Care Worker | 4 |
| 421114 | Out of School Hours Care Worker | 4 |
| 422111 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Worker | 4 |
| 423211 | Dental Assistant | 4 |
| 423312 | Nursing Support Worker | 4 |
| 423314 | Therapy Aide | 4 |
| 431112 | Barista | 4 |
| 431311 | Gaming Worker | 4 |
| 431411 | Hotel Service Manager | 3 |
| 442213 | Crowd Controller | 4 |
| 451111 | Beauty Therapist | 4 |
| 451412 | Tour Guide | 4 |
| 452321 | Sports Development Officer | 3 |
| 511112 | Program or Project Administrator | 2 |
| 512299 | Practice Managers nec | 2 |
| 542113 | Hotel or Motel Receptionist | 4 |
| 551111 | Accounts Clerk | 4 |
| 621311 | Motor Vehicle or Caravan Salesperson | 4 |
| 621312 | Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter | 4 |
| 621511 | Retail Supervisor | 4 |
| 712212 | Miner | 4 |
| 712921 | Waste Water or Water Plant Operator | 4 |
| 721111 | Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator | 4 |
| 721211 | Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) | 4 |
| 721214 | Excavator Operator | 4 |
| 721912 | Linemarker | 4 |
| 8312* | Meat Boners and Slicers, and Slaughterers | 5 |
| 831313 | Seafood Process Worker | 5 |
| 841111 | Aquaculture Worker | 5 |
| 841211 | Fruit or Nut Farm Worker | 5 |
| 841214 | Vegetable Farm Worker | 5 |
| 841999 | Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers, nec | 5 |
| 899211 | Deck Hand | 4 |
| 899212 | Fishing Hand | 4 |
| 899411 | Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter (General) | 4 |
| 899911 | Bicycle Mechanic | 5 |
* 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 (66.6 kb).
Last updated: 22 February 2019