Australia's skilled visa salary thresholds are changing in July 2026
Australia will raise skilled visa salary thresholds from 1 July 2026. These increases relate to Subclass 482, 494 and 186 visa applications.
Australia’s employer-sponsored visa salary thresholds will increase from 1 July 2026. Employers and visa applicants need to understand how these changes could directly impact whether an application succeeds or fails.
What is changing
From 1 July 2026, the minimum salary thresholds will increase:
- Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): AUD 79,499 (up from AUD 76,515)
- Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): AUD 146,717 (up from AUD 141,210)
Important: These thresholds apply to guaranteed base salary only and exclude superannuation and non-monetary benefits.
They apply to:
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
Any nomination lodged on or after 1 July 2026 must meet the new threshold or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR), whichever is higher.
Why this matters
This is not just a technical adjustment.
- For employers: Higher thresholds mean increased salary commitments, which can impact hiring decisions and budgets
- For candidates: Falling below the threshold means the role will not qualify for sponsorship, regardless of experience
The timing risk most people overlook
The salary threshold is based on the application lodgement date, not the decision date.
- Lodge before 1 July 2026, and current thresholds apply
- Lodge on or after 1 July 2026, and higher thresholds apply
For roles close to the minimum salary, this creates a narrow window.
Why Labour Market Testing can derail your timeline
Even if you are aware of the deadline, Labour Market Testing (LMT) can slow you down.
Most roles must be advertised for at least 28 days to demonstrate that no suitable Australian worker is available.
This means:
- Delays in starting LMT can push applications past the deadline
- Missing the deadline can result in higher salary obligations
Why these increases happen every year
Income thresholds are indexed annually in line with Australian wage growth, ensuring skilled migrant salaries rise alongside local workers’ wages and preventing undercutting of the domestic labour market.
The adjustment is based on wage data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and applied automatically under migration law, which means:
- Increases will continue each year
- Salary thresholds will keep rising
- Long-term workforce planning is essential
What employers should do
To avoid refusals and delays:
- Ensure Labour Market Testing is conducted using the new income thresholds
- Review salary packages early
- Prepare nomination documentation in advance
- Review roles close to the minimum threshold
- Build annual increases into hiring budgets
This is especially important for ongoing sponsorship programmes and employees transitioning to permanent residence.
What candidates should consider
If you are planning to move to Australia on a sponsored role:
- Confirm your salary meets both current and upcoming thresholds
- Understand your application timeline
- Avoid delays that could affect eligibility
- Seek advice early if your offer is close to the threshold