Increase digital skills and support local digital industry

A strong digital industry can provide cyber security and other digital and data services to improve the resilience, efficiency and productivity of the local business sector.

Growing broad digital and data skills across the NT will equip Territorians and Territory businesses with the knowledge and capability to engage with the increasingly digital world.

Increasing digital skills will ensure people can access and use the services they need and connect with others. Ensuring all Territorians have strong digital skills will help local business to grow and innovate inside their organisations.

For the digital industry, increasing specialist workers in the Territory, such as software developers, data scientists, network and cyber security engineers will grow capacity within the local workforce.

The increased global demand for data storage and computer processing capacity is fuelling additional interest in the NT by data centre developers. The NT offers data centre owners access to clean energy, space to establish and expand and close proximity to new high speed international connectivity.

Our action plan

• Grow Territorians’ digital skills and confidence so they harness opportunities and succeed in jobs of the future.
• Encourage private investment in digital infrastructure, positioning the Territory to be a digital hub between Australia and Asia.
• Support small to medium businesses to uplift their cybersecurity and resilience.
• Invest in programs to increase the number of ICT specialists in the NT.

Benefits to Territorians

This will benefit Territorians in many ways.

Business owners

The broader business sector can draw on the local digital industry to transform and leverage online services, establishing a prosperous business ecosystem in the Territory enabled by digital technology.

Territorians and territory communities

People will easily find the services and products they need from local businesses online.

People will also have increased job opportunities with improved digital skills and are ready for jobs of the future.

Delivery of government services

A stronger digital industry will support the NT Government’s broader digital transformation goals.

The NT Government will have increased access to skilled resources to build better online and streamlined government services.

Action taken

We’re already taking action:

• The NT Government has engaged with private investors and facilitated private investments in digital infrastructure like the Darwin to Asia under-sea fibre cables and the new NextDC D1 Data Centre.
• In 2025, free AI and automation training was delivered to NT small businesses through the Business Flexible Skills and Training Response program, delivered by local business Captovate.

Alignment to government priorities

These initiatives directly support the NT Government’s key priorities - Building a safer, stronger, prosperous Territory.

Reducing crime

Increasing access to work-ready digital skills can help address many socio-economic inequalities and disadvantages, helping to address key drivers of crime.

Rebuilding the economy

The Territory can enhance productivity and efficiency, supporting the NT Government’s goals in the Rebuilding the Economy: Northern Territory Economic Strategy 2025 PDF (3.4 MB) through:

• a skilled digital workforce and strong digital industry
• a non-digital workforce upskilled and more confident with technology.

Restoring our lifestyle

Increased investment in the digital industry and the resulting boost to economic activity in the NT will enhance our great lifestyle, increasing the attraction and retention of digitally skilled people in the Territory.

Measure of success