NTG to spend millions attracting international workers and students to the Territory

The funding will be used on programs to bring international students and skilled workers to the Territory and increase long-term retention rates.

International Education, Migration and Population Minister Robyn Cahill and Dukes Cafe and Eatery owner Prabin Maharjan. Picture: Aden Hill

International workers and students will be enticed to the Northern Territory through a $2m a year package announced by the NT Government.

The funding will go towards education marketing programs, skilled migration programs and worker attraction and retention.

International Education, Migration and Population Minister Robyn Cahill said it was important for continued growth of the economy to bring students and skilled workers into the Territory, with each international student contributing an estimated $108,000 to the economy each year.

Part of the funding will be used to send teams across the globe to begin overseas recruitment efforts.

“Our teams will be taking a workforce across to New Zealand later this year to have a discussion with potential employers and employees to come and work with us,” she said.

“We’re advertising across the globe to attract workforce here, and most importantly we’re working with Charles Darwin University to attract international students to the territory and get them here living and working to grow our population.”

Dukes Cafe and Eatery owner Prabin Maharjan and Minister Robyn Cahill. Picture: Aden Hill

Owner of Dukes Cafe Prabin Maharjan moved to the Territory seven years ago, and said the NT had allowed him to put his entrepreneurial spirit to good use.

Mr Maharjan also runs Brew Dreams, a program which offers international students barista training.

“So far we are able to help the community, help the young kids, get them a job, guide them through their tough times,” he said.

“It’s a really lovely place to live in, it is hot, but the community, the people are amazing.”

Ms Cahill said the government would begin trialling online seminars to target workers in the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa, who she said were “top targets” for the health, hospitality and engineering sectors.

These seminars form part of the Global Worker Attraction program, designed to raise the NT’s profile internationally.