MINT brings great news! 2020 invested in the MINT 50 applicants are about to receive the refund that the Northern Territory MINT Fund previously promised. The fund company plans to distribute, on or around  2026  years 1   31 , to each fund unit holder an amount equivalent to  80% (plus interest, less fees) of their original capital investment! In this article we walk you through the Northern Territory MINT programme in detail.

Recently our clients have started receiving email confirmations of their investment refunds:

Northern TerritoryMINT programme is jointly launched by the Darwin Innovation Hub (Darwin Innovation Hub) and  Paspalis  Asset Management (Paspalis Asset Management), with special support from the Northern Territory government — a small-investment skilled migration programme.While it may look like an investment on the surface, in fact the Northern Territory MINT is a skilled-migration pathway — applicants ultimately receive a  190  visa or a  491  visa.

MINT programme’s advantage is speed and stability — it’s a one-step path to PR in 2-2.5 years (covering the applicant’s spouse and children). Compared with investor-migration streams whose current quota is 0, it really is getting big results from a small outlay!

MINT refund — what does it mean?

Northern TerritoryMINT requires an investment of 51.5 (rising to AUD59 in FY25-26), split into two parts: 80%about AUD40 goes into Northern Territory state bonds, ，5 and is returned with principal and interest after a set term. That is the refund now going to the 2020 cohortMINT of applicants.The remaining share — 20%, about AUD11 — is invested in a government-backed fund, with returns distributed later based on fund performance.

Who is eligible to apply for the Northern Territory MINT？

invitation case analysis

65-point Marketing Specialist (190）

65-point Contract Administrator (190)

70-point Private Tutor (190）

65-point Financial Investment Adviser (491）

MINT attracts the greatest number of offshore-only applicants.

That’s because, as more and more people apply across Australia’s skilled-migration occupations, the invitation EOI scores have been rising too. In MINT, by contrast, most occupations can still secure an invitation at a lower score — 65 is enough.

Occupations include but are not limited to: Accountant, IT, Contract Administrator, Customer Service Manager, Marketing Specialist, Hotel Manager, Restaurant Manager, Human Resources Consultant and many other occupations common in China.

And the MINT offshore-only stream has modest basic requirements — simply:

– – Under 45 years of age

– – A valid skills assessment

– – IELTS 4 × 6 or equivalent English test result

– – Points score of at least 65

–– Applicants (primary applicant, spouse and accompanying children) must not have held a student visa or 5 visa within the past 485 years, and must not have lived in other parts of Australia for more than one year.

This financial year’s MINT investment structure has changed:

Total investment threshold: AUD59, allocated as follows:

1. Government-bond allocation (at least 50%–80%）

PIIF 7The fund places at least half of its capital into Northern Territory Government Bonds (Territory Bonds). These bonds are issued by the Northern Territory Treasury Corporation (Northern Territory Treasury Corporation, NTTC), are low-risk fixed-income products, and the proceeds are primarily directed to key Northern Territory infrastructure — housing, transport, healthcare, education and similar areas. If market supply is limited, the fund may also allocate to other Commonwealth, state or / territory government bonds of equivalent credit rating.   

2.Early-stage venture capital (up to 20%）

The fund may direct up to 20% of its capital toward supporting innovative businesses at start-up or expansion stage. These businesses carry high growth potential alongside commensurate risk. Investment vehicles include direct equity, convertible notes, or indirect investment through other funds managed by the fund manager. All target businesses must be closely tied to the Northern Territory economy and deliver a real, positive local impact.

3. Northern Territory commercial property and bond portfolio

After the government-bond and early-stage venture allocations are complete, the fund flexibly deploys the remaining capital into Northern Territory commercial or industrial real estate — office buildings, industrial facilities, logistics parks, retail premises and the like. This allocation aims to create local jobs and drive regional economic development, and must align with the Northern Territory government’s strategic direction. Investment structures may include trusts, REITs, joint ventures, or loans, with a requirement that at least half of the assets sit within the Northern Territory.    

A flexible allocation like this protects the principal while supporting local economic development, fully aligning with the Department of Home Affairs’

The Northern Territory  MINT  programme currently has its FY 2025–26  quota essentially used up. In principle it will now pause new applications, with reopening expected around  2026  years 7  when the new financial year begins. That said, if applicants holding allocated places withdraw midway, individual spots may still be released — creating opportunities for ““last-minute picks””.

If you’re planning to apply for MINT, don’t worry — use this financial year to get your skills assessment and English test ready, so that as soon as the new financial year MINT quota opens you can lodge straight away. Those who prepare early will be first to seize the opportunity!