Canberra, 01/07/2026 — Úc.
Starting July 1, 2026, the Australian Department of Home Affairs raised the salary thresholds applying to the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), under the annual adjustment mechanism based on the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) index published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This year’s increase is about 3.8%.
New Threshold Details
The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) rises from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423 per year. The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) rises from AUD 141,210 to AUD 146,576 per year. The new thresholds apply to nominations lodged from July 1, 2026 onward, under regulation 5.42A.
The cash component of a candidate’s total annual earnings must be greater than or equal to the applicable CSIT or SSIT. Nominations lodged before July 1, 2026 remain subject to the previous financial year’s thresholds.
Annual Adjustment Mechanism
The Australian Department of Home Affairs states that these thresholds are adjusted annually based on average earnings data published by the ABS. This is the next adjustment following the AUD 76,515 (CSIT) and AUD 141,210 (SSIT) figures that applied from July 1, 2025.
The Superannuation Guarantee contribution rate currently stands at 12%, unchanged since the last increase on July 1, 2025. Employers sponsoring subclass 482, 186 and 494 visas need to ensure compliance with both the salary thresholds and the current SG rate.
Practical Implications
The rise in salary thresholds means Australian employers sponsoring foreign workers must pay higher wages to meet the requirements. For candidates migrating under sponsored skilled streams, the offered salary must be higher than the previous year’s.
The next threshold adjustment is expected from July 1, 2027, based on new ABS data. Those interested should check the official page of the Australian Department of Home Affairs for salary thresholds and conditions of each category when preparing their application.
References
This article is compiled from government sources. Immigration regulations and figures may change over time; you should check current information on the official website before making a decision.
