Jules81

I've lived in Nightcliff (Northern Suburbs) and am currently living in the CBD. The CBD is hands down the better place to live. Public transport in Darwin is woeful and not a lot happens outside of the city!

Hi citation560XL, I've been in Darwin since the end of March (on a 489 visa)...I'm finding it pretty lonely here too! The friends I've made have already left as it's pretty transient here. Let me know if you ever want to meet up for a drink .

I didn't hear a single thing from them after uploading everything, and then BAM, I got a direct grant on 13th Feb!! My wait was just under 7 weeks but felt like an eternity . Good luck with your grant!

Hi Dewi, Do you have a case officer yet? There's been no word on my end and I've uploaded everything.

Hi Dewi, have you already been given the SS or is that when you applied to the NT? I'm still waiting for a case officer. I lodged my application with DIAC on Christmas Day and my PCC and medicals are both booked for 20th Jan so it's just (another) waiting game now .

I don't think it's non-negotiable to have contacts in the NT, but it certainly helps your case if you can prove you have ties to the Northern Territory. I personally have two friends who live in Darwin so I included them in my application (however they were not contacted by the NT government for confirmation). I think the most important component of the application is the commitment letter. I did A LOT of research on the NT and wrote a very passionate letter about why I think Darwin would be the best place for me to live in Australia. I edited it like crazy until I thought it was perfect and I was offered sponsorship even without a solid job offer (I'm a primary school teacher so it says right on the list that I'm required to have a job offer). I emailed schools who said they'd be happy to offer me casual work upon arrival, but I don't have a contract. Put effort into your application, contact employers and send proof of that, and convince them that you really want to live in the NT and you should be okay .

There are no fees for NT state sponsorship.

The same thing just happened to me! I applied for 190 but was given a 489 sponsorship. They didn't give me a reason and didn't even acknowledge I applied for the 190! I was initially really upset but now just grateful to be going to Australia at all.

I applied for a 190 from the NT on 4 Dec, got confirmation on the 9th and SS on the 16th (although bumped from 190 to 489). They're quick these days!