Employer Sponsored Visa Salary Thresholds Increasing from 1 July 2026
Australian employers sponsoring overseas workers will soon face new minimum salary thresholds. From 1 July 2026, updated income thresholds will apply to key employer-sponsored visas, following the release of the latest wage data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
These updates affect employers sponsoring workers under the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa and Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS). While the changes are automatic, they may require businesses to review salary packages, budgets, and recruitment plans ahead of the new financial year.
Understanding the new thresholds now can help employers avoid last-minute adjustments and ensure future nominations meet Department of Home Affairs requirements.
If you need guidance on employer sponsorship strategy or upcoming nominations, you can book a free discovery call with our team here:
👉 https://www.oneplanetmigrationlaw.com.au/contact
Key Takeaways
- New salary thresholds for certain employer-sponsored visas start 1 July 2026.
- Core Skills threshold: $79,499 for Subclass 482 (Core Skills) and Subclass 186.
- Specialist Skills threshold: $146,717 for Subclass 482 Specialist Skills stream.
- Changes apply only to nomination applications lodged from 1 July 2026.
- The Subclass 494 visa remains tied to the TSMIT, currently $76,515.
- Employers must still meet the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) if it is higher than the threshold.
New Salary Thresholds for Employer-Sponsored Visas
From 1 July 2026, the following minimum income thresholds will apply:
Core Skills Income Threshold – $79,499
The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase to $79,499.
This threshold applies to nominations for:
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa (Core Skills stream)
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Employers lodging nominations under these programs must ensure the proposed salary meets or exceeds this figure, unless the applicable Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) is higher.
Specialist Skills Income Threshold – $146,717
The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase to $146,717.
This threshold applies to the:
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa – Specialist Skills stream
The Specialist Skills stream is designed for highly paid, highly skilled workers where employers are seeking specialised expertise.
These thresholds are indexed based on wage growth data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which is used by the Department of Home Affairs to ensure skilled migration salary settings keep pace with labour market conditions.
You can view official migration program information from the Department of Home Affairs here:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
What About the Subclass 494 Visa?
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa operates under a different salary rule.
It is tied to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).
As of the latest available information:
- Current TSMIT: $76,515
Unlike the newer thresholds introduced for the Skills in Demand visa framework, TSMIT does not automatically increase each year.
At the time of writing, the Department of Home Affairs has not announced any update to the TSMIT for 2026.
Employers planning to sponsor workers under the 494 visa should monitor updates from the Department, as any change would require a formal legislative instrument.
When Do the New Thresholds Apply?
A key point for employers is timing.
The new salary thresholds apply only to nomination applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
They do not affect:
- Nominations already lodged
- Nominations already approved
- Current visa holders working under existing arrangements
This means employers with nominations submitted before 1 July 2026 will continue to be assessed under the existing thresholds.
However, nominations lodged after that date must meet the updated salary requirements.
Annual Market Salary Rate Still Applies
Meeting the minimum income threshold is only one part of the salary requirement.
Employers must also ensure that the sponsored worker is paid the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR).
The AMSR reflects what an Australian worker would typically earn for performing the same role in the same location.
This means:
- If the market salary is higher than the threshold, the employer must pay the higher amount.
- If the threshold is higher than the market salary, the threshold becomes the minimum.
This requirement is designed to protect the Australian labour market and ensure overseas workers are not underpaid.
Why Employers Should Start Planning Now
Although the changes do not take effect until 1 July 2026, forward planning is strongly recommended.
Employers who rely on overseas talent should review their sponsorship pipeline early to avoid unexpected compliance issues.
Key areas to review include:
Employment Contracts
Ensure salary levels meet the new thresholds for any nominations expected to be lodged in the next financial year.
Salary Benchmarking
Compare proposed salaries against industry benchmarks and internal salary structures.
Budget Forecasting
Higher salary thresholds may impact labour costs, particularly for organisations sponsoring multiple employees.
Workforce Planning
Businesses planning to transition workers from a Subclass 482 visa to a Subclass 186 visa should factor the updated thresholds into long-term planning.
Taking a proactive approach helps prevent delays and ensures businesses can continue accessing the skilled workers they need.
How One Planet Migration Can Help
Navigating employer-sponsored visas can be complex, particularly as salary thresholds, visa streams, and compliance requirements evolve.
At One Planet Migration, we work with Australian employers and HR teams to:
- Develop effective sponsorship strategies
- Ensure salary compliance
- Support 482 to 186 visa transitions
- Manage nomination pipelines
Our mission is connecting humanity, one visa at a time—helping businesses access global talent while staying compliant with Australian migration law.
If you would like to review your sponsorship program or upcoming nominations, book a free discovery call with our team:
👉 https://www.oneplanetmigrationlaw.com.au/contact
FAQs
When do the new salary thresholds start?
The new thresholds apply to nomination applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
Which visas are affected by the changes?
The new thresholds affect:
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa
The Subclass 494 visa continues to use the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).
Do the changes affect existing visa holders?
No. Existing visa holders and approved nominations are not affected.
What is the Annual Market Salary Rate?
The Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) is the typical salary paid to Australian workers performing the same job in the same location. Employers must pay whichever is higher: the AMSR or the visa income threshold.
Explore our services for visa appeals and reviews and our migration law team.
