482 and 186 Salary Thresholds to Increase from 1 July 2026
By Matin Amirshahi, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1685110)
Published 8 May 2026
Employers planning to sponsor workers under the Subclass 482 or Subclass 186 visa programs should carefully review salary arrangements before 1 July 2026.
From that date, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase due to annual indexation.
New CSIT and SSIT Amounts from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the indexed thresholds will be:
| Threshold | Current 2025–26 amount | New amount from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold — CSIT | $76,515 | $79,423 |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold — SSIT | $141,210 | $146,576 |
Why This Matters for Employers
For employer sponsored visa nominations, the nominated salary must be carefully assessed against the relevant salary requirements.
In practical terms, employers may need to check:
- whether the proposed salary meets the applicable income threshold;
- whether the salary is consistent with the Annual Market Salary Rate;
- whether the Labour Market Testing advertisements show an appropriate salary range;
- whether the nomination is likely to be lodged before or after 1 July 2026.
A salary that is acceptable before 1 July may not be sufficient for a nomination lodged after 1 July.
Example
An employer wants to sponsor a worker under the Subclass 482 visa and plans to offer a salary around the current CSIT.
If the employer starts Labour Market Testing too late in June 2026, the required advertising period may not be completed before 1 July 2026.
If the nomination is lodged on or after 1 July 2026, the new CSIT of $79,423 may need to be considered.
This means the employer may need to review the proposed salary and the wording of the advertisements before proceeding.
What Employers Should Do Now
Employers considering a 482 or 186 nomination should act early.
Before starting Labour Market Testing or finalising a salary package, employers should review:
- the nominated occupation;
- the proposed salary;
- the applicable market salary evidence;
- whether any award or enterprise agreement applies;
- the expected nomination lodgement date;
- whether Labour Market Testing can be completed before 1 July 2026.
Leaving this until late June can create avoidable compliance and lodgement issues.
Need Help with a 482 or 186 Sponsorship?
Arta Migration assists Australian employers with employer sponsored visa matters, including:
- Subclass 482 nominations;
- Subclass 186 nominations;
- Labour Market Testing strategy;
- Annual Market Salary Rate evidence;
- occupation selection and nomination preparation.
If your business is planning to sponsor an employee, we can review the salary, occupation and nomination pathway before lodgement.
