If you’ve been eyeing a skilled job in Australia, the rules just shifted under your feet. On 1 July 2026, the Australian Government pushed through its annual indexation of skilled visa salary thresholds — a roughly 3.8–3.9% increase that raises the bar for employer-sponsored work visa sponsorship, including the popular Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482). If you’re planning to relocate to Australia for work in the second half of 2026, here’s exactly what changed, who still qualifies, and how to apply.
What Changed on 1 July 2026
The Department of Home Affairs adjusts skilled visa income thresholds every year in line with Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). From 1 July 2026, the new rates are:
- Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): up from AUD 76,515 to roughly AUD 79,400–79,500 a year — the minimum salary for most Subclass 482 (Core Skills stream) and Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) nominations.
- Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): up from AUD 141,210 to around AUD 146,600–146,700 — for the fast-track Specialist Skills stream, which has no fixed occupation list and a headline 7-day processing turnaround.
- Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): also rising to roughly AUD 79,400–79,500, applying to the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187).
On top of the salary increase, Visa Application Charges (VACs) for employer-sponsored and skilled visas have also risen by approximately 25% from the same date, and these new thresholds apply to any new nomination lodged on or after 1 July 2026 — existing visa holders and nominations already in the system aren’t affected.
What Is the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa?
The Subclass 482 replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024, keeping the same visa number but a reworked structure. It’s the main pathway for Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers for roles they can’t fill locally, and it comes in two streams:
- Core Skills stream — for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), paying at least the new CSIT (~AUD 79,400+) or the market salary rate, whichever is higher.
- Specialist Skills stream — for high-earning specialists (above the SSIT, ~AUD 146,600+) with no occupation list restriction and much faster processing.
Who’s Eligible
To qualify for the Core Skills stream, you generally need to show:
- A genuine job offer from an approved, actively sponsoring Australian employer.
- An occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
- At least one year of relevant full-time work experience in the past five years.
- English language ability of at least IELTS 5.0 overall (minimum 5 in each band, or an accepted equivalent test).
- A salary offer meeting the relevant 2026 threshold or the market rate for the role, whichever is higher.
The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
The CSOL replaced the old MLTSSL and STSOL lists in December 2024 and currently covers around 456 occupations spanning trades, healthcare, engineering, construction and technology. Recent updates have added over 70 roles — including Data Analyst, Supply Chain Analyst, Tour Guide and Child Care Worker — while some, like Café and Restaurant Manager, ICT Support Engineer and Graphic Designer, have been removed. If you’re considering this visa, check your exact occupation code against the current CSOL on the Department of Home Affairs website before you invest time in an application, since the list is revised periodically.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Get a job offer from an employer willing to sponsor you — this has to come first; you cannot self-sponsor.
- Employer confirms sponsorship status — your employer must be an approved or applying Standard Business Sponsor.
- Employer lodges the nomination for your specific position, occupation code and salary.
- You lodge your visa application, including skills assessment (if required for your occupation), English test results, health checks and police clearances.
- Department of Home Affairs assesses the nomination and application against current CSOL, salary and character requirements.
- Visa grant — Specialist Skills stream applications are targeted for around 7 days; Core Skills stream typically takes longer depending on occupation and caseload.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
One of the biggest draws of the 482 visa is that it isn’t a dead end. After working for your sponsoring employer for at least two years on a valid Subclass 482, you may become eligible to apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) via the Temporary Residence Transition stream — a direct pathway to Australian permanent residency, and eventually citizenship.
Practical Tips If You’re Applying Now
- Negotiate your salary with the new 2026 thresholds in mind — an offer that met last year’s minimum may no longer clear the bar.
- Budget for the higher Visa Application Charges when planning your relocation costs; don’t rely on last year’s fee estimates.
- Confirm your occupation is still on the CSOL before signing anything — roles get added and removed with little warning.
- Start your English test and skills assessment early; these often take longer than applicants expect and can hold up an otherwise-ready application.
- If you’re close to the Specialist Skills threshold, ask whether your employer can structure your package to qualify — the faster stream can save months.
FAQ
Does this affect my visa if I already hold a 482? No — the new thresholds apply only to new nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
Can I apply without a job offer? No, the Skills in Demand visa is entirely employer-sponsored; you need a nominating employer first.
Is there a points test like Australia’s other skilled visas? No — the 482 is assessed on occupation, salary, English and experience, not a points system (unlike the points-tested skilled independent visas).
Why Thresholds Keep Rising
The annual indexation isn’t arbitrary. The Australian Government ties these thresholds to AWOTE specifically to stop employer-sponsored visas being used to undercut local wages — if the minimum salary for a sponsored role stayed flat while average Australian earnings grew, sponsorship would quietly become a way to hire foreign talent more cheaply than local talent. For skilled workers, this cuts both ways: it means a genuine 482 job offer in 2026 has to reflect a real, competitive Australian salary, which is generally good news if you’re worried about being lowballed by an employer using the visa as leverage.
Don’t Meet the Core Skills Threshold? Consider the Regional Pathway
If your occupation or offered salary sits below the Core Skills Income Threshold but you’re open to living outside a major capital city, the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494) uses the lower Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold and comes with its own five-year pathway to permanent residency via the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187). Regional employers in health, aged care, agriculture and trades are often more willing to sponsor, and processing can move faster where there’s a genuine regional skills shortage.
Immigration and visa rules change frequently and eligibility can depend on individual circumstances. Always confirm current thresholds, occupation lists and requirements on the official Department of Home Affairs website before applying, or consult a registered migration agent.
Reporting based on official Department of Home Affairs guidance and immigration law firm updates published in 2026.