Last updated: July 2026
From 1 July 2026, skilled visa income thresholds in Australia went up by 3.8%, tracking the latest Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The Department of Home Affairs applies this adjustment every year to keep skilled migrant wages moving in step with the rest of the Australian workforce. If you’re applying for a Subclass 482, Subclass 186, Subclass 494, or Subclass 187 visa, this is the number your nomination now has to clear.
Why Skilled Visa Income Thresholds Are Indexed Annually
Skilled visa income thresholds get indexed every year, so migrant wages rise at the same pace as wages for everyone else in Australia. Without it, sponsoring a migrant would slowly become cheaper than hiring locally, simply because the threshold stopped keeping up with real wage growth. That’s why indexation is tied directly to AWOTE rather than set by hand each year. This is the second increase in as many years: last year’s 4.6% rise took effect on 1 July 2025, useful context if you’re planning a salary offer 12 months out.
What’s Changing from 1 July 2026
Three separate thresholds moved on 1 July, and each one governs the salary requirements for a different visa pathway. (source: Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2026)
| Threshold | Before 1 July 2026 | From 1 July 2026 | Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) | AUD 76,515 | AUD 79,423 | Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) Core Skills stream, Subclass 186 |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | AUD 141,210 | AUD 146,576 | Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) Specialist Skills stream |
| Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) | AUD 76,515 | AUD 79,423 | Subclass 494, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187) |
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
The CSIT rose from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423. It sets the minimum annual salary for nomination applications under the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186).
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)
The SSIT climbed from AUD 141,210 to AUD 146,576. This one only applies to the Specialist Skills stream of Subclass 482, reserved for occupations that clear a much higher pay bar.
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
TSMIT increased from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423, mirroring the CSIT figure exactly. It governs nominations for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494) and RSMS (Subclass 187).
Not sure whether your current salary offer clears the new figure? Book a consultation with RACC Indonesia before you lodge, and we’ll check it against the threshold that applies to your visa.
Who Is Not Affected
This change is not retroactive. Two groups are unaffected: anyone who already holds a visa, and anyone whose nomination was lodged before 1 July 2026. The Department of Home Affairs assesses a nomination against the threshold that applied on the day it was lodged, not the day it gets decided, so a nomination filed in June and decided in August is still measured against last year’s numbers.
What This Means for You
If you’re lodging a nomination after 1 July 2026, your salary offer has to clear the new figure, not last financial year’s number. Where employers trip up is assuming the threshold is the finish line: it’s actually the floor. Your salary still has to match the Annual Market Salary Rate for the position, whichever number is higher, so a role that genuinely pays above market has to stay there regardless of what indexation does to the minimum.
How RACC Indonesia Can Help You
We’ve seen nominations stall for weeks because an employer checked the old CSIT figure, built an offer around it, and had to renegotiate mid-process once the new threshold landed. It’s an avoidable delay. Our consultants, MARA-registered agents at RACC Indonesia (MARN 1572961), can check your intended nomination against the current CSIT, SSIT, or TSMIT figure before you lodge. Book a consultation with RACC Indonesia to confirm your eligibility under the new thresholds.
This article is general information, not personal migration advice. Immigration settings change and every case is different, so for guidance specific to your situation, speak with a MARA-registered migration agent before you act on it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does this change affect my current visa?
No. The updated Core Skills Income Threshold, Specialist Skills Income Threshold, and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold only apply to new nomination applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026. If you already hold a Subclass 482, 186, 494, or 187 visa, your existing visa conditions remain unchanged.
What happens if I already lodged my nomination before 1 July 2026?
Nominations lodged before 1 July 2026 are assessed against the threshold that applied at the time of lodgement, even if the Department of Home Affairs makes its decision after that date. You do not need to resubmit at the new, higher CSIT, SSIT, or TSMIT figure.
Does the new income threshold replace the Annual Market Salary Rate?
No. The income threshold and the Annual Market Salary Rate are separate requirements. Your nomination must meet whichever figure is higher, so if the market salary for your occupation exceeds the CSIT, SSIT, or TSMIT, you must offer the market rate, not just the minimum threshold.
How often are skilled visa income thresholds indexed?
Skilled visa income thresholds are indexed annually, each 1 July, in line with the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This keeps wages for skilled migrants aligned with wage growth for Australian workers, rather than falling behind
