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Employment in the Northern Territory

The Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET) is committed to understanding the employment needs and profile of the Northern Territory labour market, and developing and implementing strategies to maximise job opportunities for Territorians.

DEET will develop ongoing effective and innovative employment strategies and initiatives and provide strategic advice on employment matters to Government, industry and the community to maximise current and future job opportunities for Territorians.

Northern Territory strategies and policies that enhance employment opportunities for Territorians include:

Jobs Plan 3

The strategies and initiatives introduced under Jobs Plan 3 will continue the momentum of previous Job Plans by further assisting employment growth in the Territory and the development of a highly skilled and flexible workforce.

Jobs Plan 3 was developed in early 2007, in consultation with industry, unions, governments and the community. The main aims of Jobs Plan 3 are to:

  • ensure that the target of 10 000 apprentice and trainee commencements over four years is achieved
  • facilitate and assist with the transition of school students into employment, further education or training
  • create public and private sector partnerships to ensure a supply of suitably skilled workers for Northern Territory business and industry
  • assist Indigenous Territorians, particularly those in regional and remote areas, to enter into employment
  • increase knowledge amongst government, industry and the community, on the Northern Territory labour market and workforce issues.

There are four themes in Jobs Plan 3:

  • Strengthening Partnerships – Links with Business and Industry, the Community, Registered Training Organisations, Government agencies and Unions
  • Jobs in the Bush – Regional and Indigenous Economic Development
  • Better Pathways – Links between the Community, Business and Industry, Schools and Registered Training Organisations
  • Staying Informed – Labour Market Research and Analysis.

For more detailed information on Jobs Plan 3 and the Northern Territory Government’s current employment initiatives please see:

For further information on Jobs Plan 3 please call (08) 8901 1357.

Current Jobs Plan 3 initiatives include:

  • Employer Incentive Scheme – financial incentives for employers who take on an additional apprentice or trainee
  • Workwear / Workgear Bonus Scheme – financial incentives for new apprentices and trainees to assist them with costs associated with starting their career
  • Workready Program –  assisting secondary school students to become work ready and make the transition from school to work
  • VET Scholarships – 40 vocational education and training scholarships per year worth $4000 each to assist students studying from Certificate level III to Diploma level
  • Build Skills NT Initiative – up-skilling and re-skilling existing workers in skill shortage occupations or are to be affected by licensing or legislative requirements

Workforce NT

Workforce NT is a series of comprehensive reports on the state of employment in the Territory. The reports draw together research data and related information. This comprehensive and complex exercise will assist in the formulation of future employment and training strategies and program development.

Click here to view the Workforce NT reports.

Employment Disadvantaged Territorians

The Northern Territory Government has strategies and initiatives in place to assist employment disadvantaged Territorians become job ready.

Click here to view further information for employment disadvantaged Territorians.