Income Thresholds Requirements increase from 1 July 2026

From 1 July 2026, the minimum income thresholds for key employer sponsored visas will increase, affecting new subclass 482 Skills in Demand, and subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme applications.

What is changing on 1 July 2026?

• The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will rise from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79499 impacting the Core Skills stream of the subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa and all streams of the subclass 186 visa.

  
  

• The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from AUD 141,210 to AUD 146717, applying to the Specialist Skills stream of the subclass 482 visa.

  
  

• These income levels are indexed annually in line with growth in Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings to keep sponsored migrant wages aligned with broader Australian wage movements.

Which visas are affected?

• Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa – Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams must now meet the updated CSIT and SSIT for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026.

  
  

• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026 must satisfy at least the new CSIT for the nominated position.

  
  

• Existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2026 are assessed against the previous thresholds and are not retrospectively affected.

  
  

• Salary must also meet market salary rate requirements.

  
  

What this means for employers?

• Employers will need to review proposed salary packages for sponsored roles and ensure they meet or exceed the new thresholds before lodging nominations from 1 July 2026.

  
  

• Workforce planning, budgeting and recruitment timelines may need adjustment, particularly for roles that were previously close to the minimum salary levels.

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Disclaimer: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute immigration advice. For more detailed and case-specific information or advice, please get in touch with SCA Connect.