The salary thresholds for employer-sponsored skilled visas went up by 3.8% on 1 July 2026. Any nomination lodged from that date has to meet the new figures. Visas already granted, and nominations lodged before 1 July 2026, are not affected.
The new thresholds
| Threshold | Before 1 July 2026 | From 1 July 2026 | Applies to nominations for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) | AUD76,515 | AUD79,423 | Skills in Demand (482) Core Skills stream; Employer Nomination Scheme (186) |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | AUD141,210 | AUD146,576 | Skills in Demand (482) Specialist Skills stream |
| Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) | AUD76,515 | AUD79,423 | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494); Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (187) |
Date: in effect from 1 July 2026. Who it affects: employers lodging new nominations, and workers whose job offer sits close to a threshold.
Why it went up
Home Affairs indexes the thresholds every year in line with Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). The department says this keeps skilled migrants' pay rising at the same rate as Australian workers' pay, so skilled migration can't be used to undercut local wages.
What to do now
- Job offer close to the line? A salary that cleared AUD76,515 last year may now fall short. A new nomination needs at least AUD79,423 for the Core Skills stream, the 186 or the 494.
- Already nominated before 1 July 2026? Your nomination stays on the old figure.
- Planning a pathway? Our 482 guide, 494 guide and income threshold guide show how each threshold fits.
Official source: Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2026, Department of Home Affairs, 1 July 2026. Checked against the official page on 8 October 2026.
FAQ
What is the CSIT from 1 July 2026?
AUD79,423. It applies to nominations for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) lodged from 1 July 2026.
What is the TSMIT from 1 July 2026?
AUD79,423, up from AUD76,515. It applies to nominations for the 494 and 187 visas lodged from 1 July 2026.
Does the increase affect visas already granted?
No. Home Affairs says the change does not apply to existing visa holders or to nominations lodged before 1 July 2026.
