Friday, 21 Aug 2026
If you are planning to apply for an employer-sponsored skilled visa in Australia, it is important to understand the new Australia Skilled Visa Salary Rules for 2026. The visa salary criteria for some visa programs that skilled candidates can lodge applications have risen from 1 July 2026, and this could impact visa applicants as well as Australian employers who are considering submitting a new visa nomination application. Be aware that salary requirements are different for every visa program and visa stream and you need to find out which of these is relevant for the visa in which you are interested.
However, it does not always need to just meet the minimum wage. The salary offered may also be subject to the Annual Market Salary Rate equivalent to the salary (rate per annum) of a worker with a comparable position in Australia. In this blog, we will discuss the new salary thresholds, who the visa categories may affect and how these changes could impact both the employer and the visa applicant.
Australia has income thresholds to assist in ensuring that sponsored skilled workers receive fair payment. They are adjusted periodically to stay in line with wage data in Australia.
Primary skilled visa income thresholds will be from 1 July 2026 as follows:
The salary typically must be in accordance with the relevant income threshold or salary [as determined by the annual market rate] (deemed higher) when the visa is being applied for.
These are new rules for nominations made on or after 1 July 2026. As a rule, current visa holders and visas which were lodged prior to this date are evaluated using the rules in place at the time of visa application/nomination.
Australia has raised the minimum salary limits for certain categories of employer-sponsored visa categories from 1 July, 2026. The salary requirement will vary depending on which visa/study stream you are seeking. Employers are responsible to ensure that the nominated salary is in line with the changed threshold. The salary may also have to meet the criteria of the Annual Market Salary Rate which could also demand a raise in salary wage over the minimum.
From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) increased from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423. This threshold applies to the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) and relevant nominations under the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).
Employers have a duty to ensure the worker's outlined salary is at least the new CSIT. Employers may have to pay more than average market rate salary if it is a higher rate for the same or similar positions.
The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will move to AUD 146,576 from 1 July 2026, from AUD 141,210. It is for skills nominated in the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) Specialist Skills stream.
Since this stream accommodates highly paid skilled workers, its SSIT is much higher as compared to the CSIT. Before going ahead with the nomination, employers are advised to verify that the proposed salary is above the new threshold and there are no other salary conditions.
Starting from 1 July 2026, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) was raised from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423. This threshold is relevant to the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) and relevant nominations under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187).
An important difference for 2026 is that the TSMIT is now included within the definitions in the Migration Regulations, and will be indexed for future years alongside the CSIT. This will help to keep the two thresholds closer and mean changes in wages in the future will be easier.
Australia has raised the minimum salary limits for certain categories of employer-sponsored visa categories from 1 July, 2026. Depending on the visa/Study stream that you are applying for, the salary requirement is different. It is important for employers to ensure that the nominated salary is in line with the new threshold. However, the salary might also need to meet the Annual Market Salary Rate which could mean the new salary wage has to be greater than the minimum salary wage.
The new salary rules apply to this visa known as a Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), however the income requirement varies depending on the stream. Employers will have to ensure that they use the right threshold when submitting a nomination from 1 July 2026. This is because the lower spendable income thresholds for the Core Skills stream and Specialist Skills stream have different requirements.
If you nominate after 1st July 2026:
Employers should also ensure that the nominated position complies with other requirements such as occupation and sponsorship rules and salary requirements.
New Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) may also impact the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186). Employers must ensure that the proposed salary is at the new threshold of AUD 79,423 of work, and any other applicable requirements, for any relevant nomination submitted from 1 July 2026.
The employer, nominated position and visa applicant will also need to satisfy the relevant requirements for the stream in which they wish to work.
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has been updated and this applies to the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494). Employers nominating a new nomination starting from 1 July 2026 must ensure they recommend a salary within the new salary band.
All new nominations must be in compliance with the AUD 79,423 TSMIT and/or the relevant market salary requirement, if it is higher.
There are further requirements for this job based visa that will apply to this position as it is an employer-sponsored visa that is for a specific job in a specific regional location.
TSMIT changes also include the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme ( Subclass 187). The new income threshold for relevant nominations made from 1 July 2026 is AUD 79,423.
Having attained the threshold, it does not automatically lead to a nomination being successful (as in other employer-sponsored visas). There are other requirements for nomination and visas.
Put simply, only meeting the threshold doesn't necessarily indicate that income meets the requirement. The Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) should also be taken into consideration when determining the salary an employer may offer for a role. Basically, the nominated worker should be paid at least as much as an Australian worker doing the same or an equivalent job in the same location.
From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) increased from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423. This threshold applies to the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) and relevant nominations under the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).
The new salary thresholds will be in effect for new nomination applications filed from the date of 1st July 2026. The critical date on which the nomination application is made is not the one upon which the visa application is determined. Employers must ensure they are applying the right salary threshold for their nomination, depending on when they submit the nomination.
Generally:
Employers and visa applicants should carefully review the current requirements before lodging a visa nomination as the salary threshold may change based on date of lodgement.
Salary thresholds for skilled visas took effect in Australia to incorporate changes in the Australian wages. To assist them to keep up to date with salary fluctuations over the years, the thresholds are adjusted to your AWOTE.
The goal is to ensure that skilled migrant workers receive fair wages, and that skilled migration is not "undercutting" the wages paid to local workers. Rewards for workers undertaking foreign work that involve regular increases can also assist with the issue of worker exploitation and fair pay for overseas workers in Australia.
The biggest shift for successful visa applications will be that, for a skilled visa applicant, some paid work opportunities will require a higher salary to satisfy the new requirements. This is of value to anyone wishing to apply for a new visa, shift away from a limited-work visa to a pathway towards permanent visa. Candidates are advised to pay attention to the salary that is advertised for the position they are applying for, particularly if the position is near the lower-limit salary.
This may impact applicants with the following characteristics:
A job offer is not a guarantee the visa requirements are in place. All of the above—including the occupation, proposed salary, employer and other criteria for eligibility considerations—must be taken into account. If the salary offered by the employer is not on the correct scale of pay, the employer might have to review the position, or the nomination might not be on the correct salary scale.
In the case of Australian employers the increased salary thresholds could mean the cost to sponsor some skilled migrants will go up. Employers are advised to thoroughly consider the visa requirements for salary, and ensure that the nominated salary complies with the requirements, prior to lodging a nomination.
Employers should review:
It is also advisable that the position is real and that the employer fulfils the other conditions for employers sponsorship and nomination. Labour market testing, and/or in some situations, other supporting evidence, may also be required in addition to the visa.
Thoroughly review the requirements before making a skilled visa nomination. These can assist employers to ensure they are nominating under the right visa type and the appropriate visa visa requirements. Note that requirements may differ from visa and date submitted – by ensuring you have checked all requirements before completing your visa application, you can help prevent issues or delays.
The following checklist can be used:
Threshold rates may be updated annually as part of the process of indexation, so it is always important to check the rules which apply at the time the nomination is lodged.
Australia's new skilled visa salary rules applied from 1 July 2026 may impact new visas that are sponsored by a foreign employer. The CSIT and TSMIT are now AUD 79,423, while the SSIT is AUD 146,576. But it is also essential to take into account other factors such as the annual market salary rate and visa and nomination realities when facing the employer and applicant. Care should be taken before applying if the requirements for the prospective visa subclass apply before applying and also that the salary offered is in line with determining that subclass.
Classic Migration can help you understand these requirements depending on your unique circumstances. As one of the best migration agents in Canberra, we can provide guidance on Australian visa and migration matters. Our registered migration agents are registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). We can explain your visa options, and ensure you meet the requirements and process your visa application.
1. Understanding the Cost of Australia's 482 Visa in 2026: Fees & Employer Charges Explained
2. New Rules for 482 Visa to Permanent Residency in Canberra
The new Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is AUD 79,423. Valid applications for nominations will pertain to those made between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027. This salary threshold must be met by employers who sponsor the employees in the relevant visa streams.
The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) is AUD 146,576 from 1 July 2026.The Specialist Skills stream is part of the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482). The nominees should be remunerated as per the salary criteria of the application.
No, the wage hike does not "backfill" for existing visa holders. Means the higher thresholds are mainly for new applications for nomination, as of 1 July 2026, for any applications relevant to the higher threshold. The existing visa holders, for the most part, are not expected to necessarily meet the new threshold just because it's raised.
No, minimum wage criteria does not automatically qualify you for visa. Applicant and employer will also have to meet visa and nomination requirements.