If your business sponsors overseas workers, an important change is coming on 1 July 2026 that you should plan for now.
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed the annual indexation of the income thresholds that underpin Australia's two main employer-sponsored visas. The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), which applies to the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) and to the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), will rise from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,499. The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT), which applies to the Specialist Skills stream of the 482, will rise from AUD 141,210 to AUD 146,717.
Why this is happening
These thresholds are indexed automatically each year in line with Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Because the figures are written into the Migration Regulations, the increase happens automatically — there is no separate announcement required each year. The rise this year is roughly 3.8 to 3.9 percent.
What it means for you
The new thresholds apply to nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026. Nominations lodged before that date are assessed against the current, lower thresholds. This creates a genuine planning advantage: if you have a role where the proposed salary is close to the current threshold, lodging the nomination before 1 July may be worthwhile.
The change does not force an automatic pay rise for people who already hold a 482 or 186 visa. However, employers must always meet the Australian Market Salary Rate — meaning a sponsored worker must be paid at least the same as an Australian doing the same job in the same location. It is worth auditing your current sponsored salaries against the new figures to avoid compliance issues.
Sectors with tighter margins — such as aged care, hospitality and agriculture — should pay particular attention, as the higher thresholds may affect which roles remain viable to sponsor.
If you are an employer planning to sponsor a worker, or an employee whose nomination is coming up, it is worth reviewing your timing now. Book a consultation and we will look at whether lodging before 1 July makes sense for your situation.