Salary Requirement for 482 and 186 Visas: New Income Thresholds 2026-2027
From 1 July 2026, the minimum salary requirements for employer-sponsored visas have increased.
This affects the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482), the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186), the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494), and some Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) pathways.
If you are an employer sponsoring a worker, or a skilled worker relying on one of these visas, you need to check the new thresholds before you lodge.
Back in February, we posted about the expected increase, and now Home Affairs has confirmed it. The figures were correct.
What are CSIT, SSIT and TSMIT?
The Core Skills Income Threshold, or CSIT, is the minimum salary an employer must offer to nominate a worker under the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482). https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/sponsoring-workers/nominating-a-position/salary-requirements
It also applies to the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) permanent visa.
The Specialist Skills Income Threshold, or SSIT, is a higher minimum salary. It applies to the Specialist Skills stream of the Subclass 482 visa, generally used for higher-paid, highly skilled roles.
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold, or TSMIT, is an older term. In practice, it now tracks the same figure as CSIT for most current employer-sponsored pathways.
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
The CSIT increased from $76,515 to $79,423 from 1 July 2026. That is an increase of $2,908, or about 3.8%.
This threshold applies to the Core Skills stream of the 482 visa and to the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme permanent visa.
For the 482 Core Skills stream, the worker must generally be nominated in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List.
The employer must pay at least the Annual Market Salary Rate for the role, and not less than CSIT (whichever figure is higher applies).
This means an employer cannot pay the bare CSIT minimum if the normal market rate for that role is higher.
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)
The SSIT increased from $141,210 to $146,576 from 1 July 2026, an increase of $5,366, also about 3.8%.
This applies to the Specialist Skills stream of the 482 visa, generally used for higher-paid, highly skilled roles. The nominated occupation must fall within eligible ANZSCO major groups, and the nominated salary must meet SSIT.
These changes apply to new nomination applications lodged from 1 July 2026.
The Department has confirmed the increase does not apply to existing visa holders, or to nominations lodged before 1 July 2026.
Why the Income Threshold are so important for Australian migration?
The Department of Home Affairs reviews CSIT and SSIT every year, based on wage growth data.
Employer-sponsored visas are one of the largest pathways to permanent residency in Australia.
For the 2026–27 financial year, the Employer Sponsored category has around 58,040 places, or about 31% of the entire permanent Migration Program, up from 44,000 places in 2025–26.
Because so many permanent visa places rely on this pathway, the salary rules that gate access to it affect a significant number of employers and applicants.
DAMA salary concessions
DAMA stands for Designated Area Migration Agreement. This is a labour agreement pathway that can help employers in specific regional areas sponsor overseas workers where there are local labour shortages.
Work Visa Lawyers has a separate guide to the DAMA visa pathway for employers considering this option.
Some DAMA agreements offer salary concessions, including a possible 10% concession to the relevant income threshold.
With a 10% concession, the reduced CSIT or TSMIT figure increased from $68,864 to $71,481 from 1 July 2026, still around a 3.8% increase.
DAMA concessions are not automatic. They depend on the specific DAMA, the occupation, the employer, and the terms of the labour agreement.
Employers still need to check the market salary rate and confirm they meet the correct requirements for that DAMA pathway.
Fair Work High Income Threshold and the 186 age exemption
The Fair Work High Income Threshold also increased, from $183,100 to $190,100 from 1 July 2026, an increase of about 3.8%.
This threshold is set separately by the Fair Work Commission and is not a Department of Home Affairs figure, but it can still affect a migration outcome.
Applicants for the 186 visa are usually required to be under 45 years old, but some applicants may be exempt. One possible exemption applies where a 482 visa holder has worked in eligible sponsored employment for at least two years in the required period, with earnings for each year at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold.
This is different from CSIT or SSIT. A high income can help with an age exemption for permanent residency, but it does not replace the CSIT or SSIT requirement for a 482 nomination.
Summary table: 2026-2027 income threshold changes
The table below summarises the confirmed threshold changes taking effect from 1 July 2026.
Threshold | 2025–26 | 2026–27 (from 1 July 2026) | Increase | % Change |
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) / TSMIT | $76,515 | $79,423 | $2,908 | 3.8% |
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | $141,210 | $146,576 | $5,366 | 3.8% |
CSIT/TSMIT with a 10% DAMA concession | $68,864 | $71,481 | $2,617 | 3.8% |
Fair Work High Income Threshold | $183,100 | $190,100 | $7,000 | 3.8% |
Can Work Visa Lawyers help?
Yes. Work Visa Lawyers can help employers and skilled workers understand the new income thresholds and prepare a compliant nomination.
We can assist with:
- Skills in Demand (482) visa nominations and visa applications
- Employer Nomination Scheme (186) visa applications
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) visa applications
- DAMA labour agreement applications
- sponsor obligations and compliance
- salary and Annual Market Salary Rate assessments
Book an appointment with one of our immigration lawyers or registered migration agents for assistance with your employer-sponsored visa application. Work Visa Lawyers is one of Australia’s leading immigration law firms, and our team is ready to help you.
FAQ: 482 and 186 Visa Income Thresholds 2026-2027
What is the new Core Skills Income Threshold for 2026-2027?
The CSIT increased from $76,515 to $79,423 from 1 July 2026, an increase of about 3.8%. It applies to the Core Skills stream of the 482 visa and to the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.
How much is the Specialist Skills Income Threshold in 2026-2027?
The SSIT increased from $141,210 to $146,576 from 1 July 2026, an increase of about 3.8%.
What is the minimum salary for a 482 visa in 2026-2027?
From 1 July 2026, the minimum salary for the Specialist Skills is $79,423. For the 482 visa, the minimum salary is $146,576.
What is the minimum salary for the 186 permanent residency visa in 2026-2027?
From 1 July 2026, the minimum salary for the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa is $79,423 (186 Transition Pathway or 186 Direct Entry Pathway).
Does the new threshold apply to my existing 482 visa?
No. Existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2026 are assessed against the previous threshold.
What is a DAMA salary concession?
Some DAMAs allow a concession, such as 10%, to the relevant income threshold. With a 10% concession, the reduced threshold is $71,481 from 1 July 2026. Concessions depend on the specific DAMA and occupation.
Does a high salary help with permanent residency after a 482 visa?
It can, in some cases. If a 482 visa holder's income meets the Fair Work High Income Threshold each year for at least two years, they may qualify for an age exemption when applying for the Subclass 186 visa after 45 years old.
Can Work Visa Lawyers help with a 482 or 186 nomination and visa application?
Yes. Contact Work Visa Lawyers to check your nomination meets the current salary requirements before lodging.
Sources:
Department of Home Affairs – Salary requirements to nominate a worker:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/sponsoring-workers/nominating-a-position/salary-requirements
Department of Home Affairs – Migration Program planning levels:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels
The Fair Work High Income Threshold:
https://www.fwc.gov.au/high-income-threshold
Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.
