Skilled visa income thresholds rise 3.8% from 1 July 2026

Official release date: 1 July 2026 · Employer-sponsored

From 1 July 2026, CSIT and TSMIT rose to $79,423 and SSIT to $146,576 for new nominations under subclasses 482, 186, 494 and 187. Existing visa holders are not affected.

Picture this: you are an employer about to sponsor a talented worker, and you have the salary figure all worked out. Then 1 July arrives and the minimum salary moves. That is exactly what happened this year, so let's walk through it.

What has changed

The main skilled visa income thresholds have been indexed by 3.8%, in line with Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). From 1 July 2026:

• The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) rose from $76,515 to $79,423. It applies to Core Skills stream subclass 482 nominations and subclass 186 nominations.
• The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) rose from $141,210 to $146,576. It applies to Specialist Skills stream subclass 482 nominations.
• The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) rose from $76,515 to $79,423. It applies to subclass 494 and subclass 187 nominations.

Here's the thing: there is also a structural change. TSMIT is now set directly in the Migration Regulations, rather than by a ministerial instrument, and automatic indexation is scheduled to begin on 1 July 2027.

Who is affected

The new thresholds apply to nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026. They do not apply to existing visa holders or to nominations lodged before that date. So if your worker already holds their visa, or their nomination was lodged earlier, these new figures do not change that existing nomination.

Employers lodging new nominations, and workers hoping to be nominated, are the people who need to pay close attention.

How it compares

Last year, CSIT and TSMIT were both $76,515 and SSIT was $141,210. The increase is modest but meaningful, and it means salary offers prepared before 1 July may now fall short for a new nomination.

What you should do

If you are an employer, check that the salary in any new nomination meets the relevant threshold and is also at least the market rate for the role. If you are a worker, make sure the salary on your contract matches what you are actually paid.

Getting this wrong matters. A nomination with a salary below the threshold can be refused, which in turn affects the visa application. For sponsors, paying less than the nominated salary can breach sponsorship obligations, and for visa holders, not working in line with your nomination can put your visa at risk. Planning ahead keeps everyone on the right side of the rules.

If you would like to talk through how this applies to you, our registered migration agents and lawyers at Auzworld Lawyers & Immigration are here to help.

Official source: Department of Home Affairs