The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from 1 July 2026 for employer sponsored visa programs, including the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa and Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa.
The thresholds will increase to:
- CSIT: from $76,515 to $79,499
- SSIT: from $141,210 to $146,717
These amounts will apply to relevant Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 nomination applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
Importantly, the updated thresholds apply based on the date the nomination application is lodged, rather than when preparation or advertising began.
Why this matters
This is particularly important for businesses currently preparing sponsorship applications or completing Labour Market Testing (LMT), as advertisements prepared too close to 1 July 2026 may also need to reflect the increased salary thresholds!
As LMT (jobs advertisements) generally requires positions to be advertised for at least 28 days before lodgement, all businesses preparing sponsorship applications close to 1 July 2026 should plan carefully.
Planning ahead
With the new financial year approaching, employers considering sponsorship should begin preparing early to avoid delays or potential re-advertising requirements. If you are an employer planning to sponsor overseas workers or a visa applicant affected by these upcoming changes, our team at Unite Migration is here to help!
For tailored migration advice, contact us [email protected]