Adrian Fojas

Senior Finance Manager Adrian Fojas has called the Territory home for a decade. Originally from the Philippines, his favourite aspect of the Territory is the peace, quiet, and family-friendly environment it offers.

"I moved to Australia on a temporary work-sponsored visa. At that time, I was an external auditor in the professional accounting practice. I stayed in the Territory not only because of my job but also because of the diverse culture, relaxed lifestyle, expansive open spaces, and the rich diversity of the NT itself."

Although interested in securing a position with the Northern Territory Government, Adrian was hesitant to apply due to false rumours.

"I heard rumours suggesting that only Australian citizens could apply for positions within the Northern Territory Government (NTG). Consequently, I refrained from applying for any roles initially. However, after commencing work within the Government, I discovered that the rumour about visa status was untrue."

"Despite the rumours, I remained interested in working for the government as many friends who transitioned from the professional accounting industry to the NTG provided positive feedback. They mentioned the NTG promotes a more flexible working environment, better work-life balance, reduced stress, more generous leave entitlements compared to the private sector, and a higher-than-average salary."

After gaining Australian citizenship, Adrian applied for a position within the NTG and secured a role with the Department of Tourism, Sport, and Culture. Though cautious about transitioning from the public to the private sector, he moved forward confidently.

"The team was fantastic, and the detailed onboarding process made it easy for me to seamlessly transition into the role. Shifting my mindset from auditing the NTG to being a part of it was the most significant adjustment I had to make, but I didn't find it difficult thanks to the support I got from my team."

Now working within the Department of Environment, Parks, and Water Security, Adrian has experienced the advantages of working within the Northern Territory Government.

"I now work a 9-day fortnight, which has been great for me now that I have two kids. Many of the things my friends mentioned regarding work-life balance in the NTG and its positive effect on stress at work have proven to be true."