Will the 2026 salary threshold increase affect existing Subclass 482 and 186 holders or people who have lodged nominations?

Existing Subclass 482 and 186 holders, people whose nominations were successfully lodged before 1 July 2026, and those with approved nominations are unaffected.

2026 employer-sponsored salary thresholds: 482 and 186

What will the employer-sponsored salary thresholds rise to on 1 July 2026?

For relevant nomination applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026, employers must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold, rising from $76,515 to $79,499, or the Specialist Skills Income Threshold, rising from $141,210 to $146,717, as the minimum salary requirement.

Salary must meet the minimum income threshold and reflect the role’s market value; superannuation and benefits such as a company vehicle or accommodation cannot count towards the minimum.

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2026 Australia Subclass 482 and 186 minimum salary increase article cover

Applicants preparing to lodge employer-sponsored visa applications should take note: Australia 482 and 186 visa minimum salary thresholds rise every new financial year. 26 7/1 will rise to $79499, an increase of 3.9%!7.1. Nominations lodged before then remain at $76515. Applicants preparing employer-sponsored applications should take note of the new policy and lodge promptly!

For all relevant nomination applications lodged on or after 2026 7/1 or later, employers must provide the following minimum salary thresholds:

Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): raised to $79,499 (currently $76,515)

Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): raised to $146,717 (currently $141,210)

Which other visa categories will be affected?

The new income thresholds are directly tied to standard employer-sponsored visas

The new CSIT($79,499) applies to:

482SID —Core Skills stream (Core Skills stream)

186employer-sponsored visas— 186(Temporary Residence Transition) and 186(Direct Entry)

482 and 186 Labour Agreement stream (Labour Agreement), unless the labour agreement specifies otherwise

The new SSIT($146,717) applies to:

482SID —Specialist Skills stream (Specialist Skills stream)

Core Skills and Specialist Skills Income Thresholds for Subclass 482 and 186 visas

Will existing visas or pending nominations be affected?

Good news: The new income thresholds apply to nominations lodged on or after 2026 7/1 or later

This salary threshold increase will not affect the following applicants:

-Existing 482 and 186 visa holders

-Nomination applications successfully lodged before 2026 7/1

-Applicants with already-approved nominations

Key compliance matters employers must also consider

Meeting the new income threshold is only the first step of sponsorship; DHA applies strict rules on how these salaries are calculated:

Base salary only: The threshold must be met entirely through the guaranteed annual earnings. Superannuation and allowances (for example, company vehicles or accommodation) cannot count towards $79,499 or $146,717 minimum

Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR): The salary paid must not only meet the minimum threshold; it must also reflect the genuine market value of the role.If a position is paid well below market rate, it may be suspected of impropriety

Australia 482SIDApplication requirements

Subclass 482 SID visa application requirements

1.Age 45 or under

2.IELTS 5 in each band / PTE 5 / PTEListening 33 Reading 36 Writing 29 Speaking 24

3. Find an Australian employer willing to sponsor you; the employer must be in good operating standing, hold sponsorship accreditation, and be willing to sponsor you. The Australian employer’s offered role must meet the Specialist Skills stream annual salary of

(141,210 AUD or more) or the Core Skills stream (76,515 AUD or more) — rising after 1 July

4. At least 1 year of relevant work experience, with the nominated occupation on the CSOL list

Australia 482SID visa advantages

(1)No upper age limit at time of application (but when converting to 186 permanent residency, age must be ≤45 years old)

(2)Lowest threshold,Flexible application,Fast processing

(3)Children can study in Australia,Spouse can work in Australia

(4)Temporary work visa,A golden pathway to 186TRT permanent residency

If your annual salary is around $76,000 and an employer is willing to sponsor you for the 482 visa, you must act immediately. Preparing the application takes time, and leaving it to the last minute may cause the visa to fail. Want to find out whether you qualify for employer sponsorship?

Scan the QR code above for a one-on-one tailored plan.482 visa is an important pathway for Australian skilled migration, but the policy detail is complex and requires careful planning. To avoid the added cost of a post-refusal reapplication, contact us for an assessment — we can tailor a plan for you!