Northern Territory Government Vacation Employment Program – Applicant information
Brief overview ‘What to expect’
Program open for Early Careers to undertake NTG agencies undertake
applications 19 January eligibilty screening January - recruitment process
- 15 February 2026 March 2026 March - April 2026
Program commencing in Employment offers and
June and August 2026 contracts made in May - June
Applicant information
Thank you for expressing your interest in the Early Careers Vacation Employment Program.
To be eligible for the Vacation Employment Program you meet the following criteria.
* Tertiary students studying at an Australian university.
* Tertiary students enrolled on both sides of the semester break.
* Australian citizen/resident or visa holder with Australian appropriate working rights or visa
to state working rights in Australia. VISA holders expiry date must be for the entire
duration of the vacancy. e.g. June 2026 – September 2027.
Application Documents Explained
To assist us in the timely review of your application, please ensure all the requested information has
been included. Missing documents or information will impact your application progressing.
Resume / CV with 2 current references from an Australian Organisation or Business
Appropriate referees include teachers, VET/School Coordinator, Uni lecturers, coaches, mentors or
volunteer leaders.
The second referee should be an employer who was directly involved in supervising you.
It is important you ensure your referees are willing and available to provide a referee report for you.
It is good practice to contact your referee and remind them of the dates they worked with you as
sometimes they may need a reminder of when you have completed your placement with their unit.
Please ensure your references name, contact number and emails are included in your application.
Useful link on Resumes and applying for Government jobs - Applying for a job | Join the Territory
One page summary (cover letter)
A cover letter for Vacation Employment applicants should briefly introduce you to the employer,
convey your motivation for the role, and highlight the academic achievements, internships, or
projects that demonstrate your readiness to contribute. It is important to show enthusiasm for
professional growth, connect your skills to the requirements of the position, and demonstrate
knowledge of the organisation by referencing its values or goals. Conclude with a professional call
to action, expressing your eagerness to discuss your application further in an interview.
Sample cover letter from Join the Territory website - sample-cover-letter-resume-AO4.docx
Proof of enrolment either side of the semester break
Early Careers requires proof of your enrolment either side of your semester break to ensure you are
eligible for the program for the entire duration.
We require a copy of your most recent transcript showing your enrolment before and after the
semester break, if you are unable to obtain this a letter from the university confirming your
enrolment date, expected completion date and the name of the qualification you are studying will
suffice. For international students you can provide your CoE (Conformation of Enrolment to
substitute this request.
Completed qualifications
For Vacation applicants, previously completed qualifications refer to the formal education,
certifications, or training programs you have successfully finished prior to applying for a new role or
course. This may include your university degree, relevant internships, professional certificates, or
short courses that demonstrate your academic foundation and practical skills. Employers and
training providers review these qualifications to assess your existing knowledge, transferable
abilities, and readiness to take on further responsibilities, while also ensuring you meet the entry
requirements for the Vacation Employment program.
Statutory declaration under special measures & confirmation of aboriginality
A Statutory Declaration for Special Measure in the NT (Northern Territory) is a legal document
where an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person formally declares they meet specific eligibility
criteria to benefit from NT Public Sector (NTPS) recruitment programs designed to increase First
Nations employment, confirming their descent and community acceptance, signed before an
authorized witness, stating the info is true under law. The stat dec is attached to the job
advertisement for easy access.
Confirmation of Aboriginality in Australia involves proving you are of Aboriginal descent, identify as
Aboriginal, and are accepted by an Aboriginal community, typically through a letter from an
incorporated Aboriginal organisation or Land Council, or via statutory declaration and genealogy, as
different bodies have specific, but similar, requirements based on descent, self-identification, and
community recognition. (this must be provided within your first 3 months of employment if
successful)
VISA holders
If you are on a VISA, it is a requirement to upload your VISA document, VEVO check and a copy of
your passport. This information is used to determine your eligibility for the program and ensure
your visa conditions meet the required work requirements, and we are aligned with the working
rights in Australia.
To get a VEVO check if you do not already have one. Please use the link Visa Entitlement
Verification Online: Visa holder enquiry to obtain a copy for application purposes.
Need more information or want to learn more about Government Jobs and applications?
Visit the links below:
Applying for a job | Join the Territory
Applying for a job in the public sector | Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment
Special measures in recruitment | Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment
Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment
Within the application advice: ‘What field of study is your degree in”
Once you have gathered all your required documentation and apply for the Vacation Employment
Program, there will be a section titled ‘Education details’ in this section you will select which field of
study your degree is in. We have provided a list of what is included in the sector selection list for
you to choose your field of study.
• Business administration • Governance and policy
o Workplace skills o Juris Doctor
o Business o Law
o Project management o Policy
o HR o International politics
• Community services • Health
o Community service o Allied health
o Social work o Oral health
o Psychology o Pharmacy
o Humanitarian aid and development o Pathology
o Nursing
o Clinical
o Non-clinical
• Education • Information communication technology
o Education and classroom support o Data analysis - general
o Library and information services o Software and infrastructure support
o Cyber security & emerging technologies
(AI, VR)
o Computer engineering
• Engineering • Marketing and communications
o Civil, electrical, or industrial o Communications
o Marine, mechanical, or mining o Digital media
o Events
• Finance • Science and environment
o Accounting o Geospatial
o Bookkeeping o Biological and lab technician
o Data analysis o Sports science
o Economics o Aquaculture,
o Commerce o Agriculture
o International trade o Horticulture / land management
Application Checklist
✓ Read and follow the Applicant Information fact sheet and checklist
✓ Check eligibility to apply
✓ Update and prepare all the required documentation prior to commencing your online application
✓ Submit your application
Tick When
Complete
✓
* 1. Resume with 2 current references from an Australian organisation or
Business
* 2. Your most recent course results from your current qualification (transcript)
* 3. Proof of enrolment either side of the semester break
* 4. Any previously completed qualifications evidence
* 5. Statutory declaration if eligible under special measures (attached to job ad)
* 6. Confirmation of Aboriginality if eligible under special measures (must be
received within 3 months of employment if successful)
* 7. If you are on a VISA – Visa docs and VEVO check
An incomplete application will delay processing and may result in your application not being progressed.
What happens once I submit my application?
* From 19 January – 06 March Early Careers will assess your application to ensure you are eligible
for the program. Our team may be in contact with you if your application is incomplete.
* From March to April, eligible candidates will be matched to placements based on hosting
agencies preferences.
* Agencies will undertake a shortlisting process and be in contact with those that they wish to
interview. Often you will be referred onto more than one agency. You may be contacted by
multiple agencies.
* We anticipate final outcomes from each agency’s selection in May 2026.
* We appreciate the recruitment process is a considerable time period, you are welcome to email
our team if you would like a progress update on your application.
* If these timeframes change, our team will update you accordingly
* Further questions or queries can be directed to Early Careers on
P: E: