NEWS Incentive plan shows value of Brain power
JUST 124 people have accessed the NT Government’s “Welcome to the Territory” cash incentives, which offers families up to $15,000 to settle in the NT over five years.
The Government gives financial aid to new Territorians in certain “high priority jobs” to the tune of $3000 for individuals, $6000 for couples and $7000 for families. The incentives are a key part of the Government’s $50 million Population Growth Strategy 2018-2028 but so far only about 30 per cent of applicants have been successful in the past year.
One of the few successful recipients, Kristy Brain, relocated with her partner and two children from Perth to Darwin about 18 months ago.
She took up a position as the chief financial officer at Northern Territory PHN.
“We were looking for a lifestyle change and Darwin ticked all the boxes,” she said. “Coming here also meant I could progress my career in a way that would have taken me a few years if I stayed in Perth. Moving your whole life across the country can be quite expensive but signing up for the incentive helped make the process a lot easier.”
A spokeswoman from the Department of the Chief Minister said to be eligible for the incentives a role had to be available in a “hard to fill” position on the NT Skilled Occupation Priority List.
“Therefore the number of incentives awarded is always dependent upon business need and the current skills available within the local community,” she said.
“A total of 124 hard to fill vacancies in positions such as community works, childcare, occupational therapy and social work were filled thanks to the assistance provided by these incentives.
“The new employees brought an additional 67 immediate family members with them to live in the NT.”
The scheme includes $4.6 million for the “Boundless Possible” marketing campaign.