If you're an employer sponsoring skilled workers - or a worker on an employer-sponsored visa pathway - mark 1 July 2026 in your calendar. The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will rise from $76,515 to $79,499, and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) from $141,210 to $146,717. Nominations lodged before this date lock in the current, lower thresholds - creating a genuine window to save thousands.
What's Changing on 1 July 2026?
Australia's employer-sponsored visa salary thresholds are indexed annually to Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The November 2025 AWOTE figures have now triggered the following increases for the 2026-27 financial year:
| Threshold | 2025-26 (Current) | 2026-27 (From 1 July 2026) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSIT (Core Skills) | $76,515 | $79,499 | +$2,984 (~3.9%) |
| SSIT (Specialist Skills) | $141,210 | $146,717 | +$5,507 (~3.9%) |
These new thresholds apply to nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026. Nominations lodged before this date are assessed against the current thresholds - even if the visa is granted after 1 July.
Which Visas Are Affected?
The CSIT and SSIT apply to the Skills in Demand (SID) visa framework:
- Subclass 482 - Skills in Demand visa
- Core Skills stream: Must meet the CSIT ($79,499 from 1 July)
- Specialist Skills stream: Must meet the SSIT ($146,717 from 1 July)
- Subclass 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
- Both the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams must meet CSIT or SSIT, depending on the occupation
Note on TSMIT: The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) of $73,150 continues to apply to certain legacy 482 nominations and regional Subclass 494 visas until further notice.
Who Is Affected?
Employers and HR Managers
If your business currently sponsors - or plans to sponsor - skilled workers, the salary you offer must meet or exceed the higher of:
- The relevant income threshold (CSIT or SSIT), or
- The Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the position
This means some employers will need to increase the salary in their nomination to meet the new threshold, even if the worker's current pay met last year's requirement.
The cost impact is real. For a Core Skills nomination, the CSIT increase alone represents an additional $2,984 per year in guaranteed salary. For Specialist Skills roles, employers must budget an extra $5,507 per year.
Sponsored Workers
If you're currently on a 482 visa or planning to transition to a 186 permanent visa, the threshold that matters is the one in effect at the time your nomination is lodged - not when you apply for the visa itself.
If your employer is planning to nominate you for a permanent visa, acting before 1 July could mean a lower salary threshold applies, potentially making the difference between a successful nomination and a refused one.
You can search for your ANZSCO occupation code to confirm which stream and salary threshold applies to your role.
What You Should Do Now
For Employers
| Action | Deadline | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Review current sponsored worker salaries against the new CSIT/SSIT | Now | Identify any workers whose pay will fall below the new threshold |
| Lodge any pending nominations | Before 1 July 2026 | Lock in the current, lower thresholds |
| Budget for salary increases | By 1 July 2026 | New nominations after this date must meet the higher threshold |
| Check employer sponsorship obligations | Ongoing | Ensure compliance with nomination conditions and SAF levy requirements |
Employers cannot simply increase the salary on paper without genuinely paying it. The Department of Home Affairs audits employer compliance, and failing to pay the nominated salary is a serious breach that can lead to sanctions, including cancellation of sponsor approval.
For Sponsored Workers
- Talk to your employer - if you're waiting for a 186 nomination, ask whether it can be lodged before 1 July
- Check your visa conditions - use our Visa Condition Lookup tool to understand your current work rights and obligations
- Get professional advice - a registered migration agent can review your specific situation and advise on timing
The SAF Levy Still Applies
Don't forget the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy that employers must pay when nominating overseas workers:
| Employer Turnover | Temporary Visa (per year) | Permanent Visa (one-off) |
|---|---|---|
| Under $10 million | $1,200 | $3,000 |
| $10 million or more | $1,800 | $5,000 |
Comparison: Skills in Demand Visa Streams
Not sure which stream applies to your role? Here's a quick comparison - for a deeper dive, read our 482 vs 186 vs Skills in Demand visa comparison:
| Feature | Core Skills Stream | Specialist Skills Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Salary threshold (from 1 Jul 2026) | $79,499 (CSIT) | $146,717 (SSIT) |
| Occupation list | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | No occupation list restriction |
| Visa duration | Up to 4 years | Up to 4 years |
| PR pathway | Yes - via 186 after 2 years | Yes - via 186 Direct Entry |
| Skills assessment | Required | Not required |
| English requirement | Competent (IELTS 5+) | Competent (IELTS 5+) |
High-income professionals earning above the SSIT may benefit from the Specialist Skills stream, which has no occupation list restriction and no mandatory skills assessment. Read more about the Specialist Skills pathway.
Salary thresholds and visa application fees are current as of March 2026 and are subject to change. The next threshold adjustment is expected on 1 July 2027.
How First Migration Can Help
Whether you're an employer planning your next nomination or a skilled worker navigating the pathway to permanent residency, our registered migration agents can help you:
- Audit your current sponsorship arrangements against the new thresholds
- Lodge time-sensitive nominations before the 1 July deadline
- Plan your 482 → 186 transition to maximise your chances of success
Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice.
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