Dili to Darwin
Building workforce opportunities between Timor-Leste and the Northern Territory
An initiative by AVM Timor-Leste that brings these two opportunities together by preparing Timorese workers with the skills, workplace knowledge and English language capability needed to succeed in Australian workplaces.
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Creating Opportunities for
Timor-Leste People
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Supporting Employers in the
Northern Territory
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Strengthening
Regional Partnerships
Responding to the Northern Territory's workforce needs
The Northern Territory continues to invest in major projects and essential services, creating ongoing demand for skilled and reliable workers across a range of industries. However, many employers continue to experience workforce shortages that affect productivity, business growth and project delivery.
Dili to Darwin has been developed to help address these challenges by preparing candidates in Timor-Leste before they begin employment in the Northern Territory.
Rather than focusing solely on recruitment, the initiative places strong emphasis on workforce preparation, ensuring participants develop the practical skills, professional English and workplace readiness expected by Australian employers.
How the initiative works
Every participant follows a structured pathway designed to prepare them for employment opportunities across the Northern Territory.
Identify
Suitable candidates are identified and assessed in Timor-Leste.
Prepare
Participants undertake industry-specific training, professional English language development and workplace readiness programs aligned with Australian workplace expectations.
Connect
Candidates are matched with employment opportunities based on industry demand and employer requirements.
Support
Participants receive guidance throughout mobilisation and continue to receive support as they transition into employment.
Industry pathways
Training and workforce preparation support employment opportunities across a range of sectors, including:
hospitality and tourism
COMMERCIAL COOKERY
HEALTHCARE AND AGED CARE
CONSTRUCTION
GENERAL
LABOUR
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE
Why Timor-Leste?
- Young, motivated and increasingly skilled workforce
- Close proximity and strong regional connections
- Growing investment in vocational education
- Strong willingness to learn and pursue international opportunities
- A foundation for long-term workforce collaboration with the Northern Territory
Current status
Dili to Darwin is currently being developed as a long-term workforce initiative by AVM Timor-Leste.
We are actively engaging with employers, industry stakeholders and government partners to establish sustainable workforce pathways that respond to the Northern Territory’s evolving labour market needs.
As these partnerships develop, the initiative will continue to expand its training, workforce preparation and employment support activities.
A partnership for
the future
Dili to Darwin is more than an employment initiative. It is a long-term commitment to building stronger workforce connections between Timor-Leste and the Northern Territory through education, skills development and responsible workforce mobility.
As workforce demands continue to evolve, AVM Timor-Leste remains committed to preparing people for meaningful employment opportunities while supporting the long-term workforce needs of the Northern Territory.
