The government has announced a $15,000 incentive for families that move to the Northern Territory for work.
The NT Government announced the incentive as part of a new strategy to create 21,000 jobs and funnel an additional $10 billion in to the economy in the next 10 years.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner promised $3,000 for individuals, $6,000 for couples and $7,000 for families that move to the NT to work in ‘high priority jobs’.
The government has announced a $15,000 incentive for families that move to the Northern Territory for work (the wave lagoon at Darwin Waterfront is pictured)
‘Just about every regional centre in Australia is trying to grow their population. It’s a national trend, Mr Gunner told the ABC.
He hoped the monetary incentive would ‘remove the barriers that stop people taking the plunge… moving costs are an example’.
Mr Gunner said the monetary incentives did not stop there, and promised all new residents a further $1,250 bonus if they stayed in the NT for two years.
He said this money could be spent on child care, car and licence registrations and at any local business.
If people stuck it out for five years, he said they would receive another cash bonus to the same value.
He said the second $1,250 amount could be spent on anything the recipient wanted.
Over a five year period, he said a family would receive more than $15,000.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner (pictured) promised $3,000 for individuals, $6,000 for couples and $7,000 for families that move to the NT to work in ‘high priority jobs’
Over a five year period, a family could receive more than $15,000 if they move to the NT (boats are pictured at Darwin Marina)
High priority jobs:
The monetary incentive will be offered to people moving to the NT for high priority jobs including, but not limited to:
- Engineers
- Accountants
- Pilots
- Early childhood teachers
- Pharmacists
- Hotel managers
- Chefs
- Hairdressers
- Probation officers
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers
- Property managers
Mr Gunner said the funding was not limited to Australians but also immigrants.
The NT Government pledged a total of $14 million towards the incentive.
When registration opens on November 1, participants will need to update their details on Medicare to be eligible.
Mr Gunner said he expected the incentive to create up to 21,000 new jobs in the NT within 10 years.
With small businesses prospering, he expected it could also add about $10 billion to the local economy.
He hoped the money would be an incentive for skilled migrants from across the world, not only Australia, to make the NT their new home.
‘We’re comfortable taking anyone from anywhere when it comes to humanitarian schemes, refugees, anyone coming into Australia should feel welcome here,’ he said.
Mr Gunner said he expected the incentive to create up to 21,000 new jobs in the NT within 10 years (Darwin pictured)
He hoped the money would be an incentive for skilled migrants from across the world, not only Australia, to make the NT their new home (Mindil Beach at Darwin)