From 1 July 2026, Australia lifted the salary floors that decide who can be sponsored for a skilled visa. The Australia skilled visa income threshold 2026 now sets a higher bar for employers and workers alike, and the change is already live. If your job offer was pitched at last year’s numbers, it may no longer clear the line.
By the Travel Explore editorial desk. Last updated 24 July 2026.
On this page
- The new salary floors, in plain numbers
- Who feels the 1 July shift first
- What sponsors and applicants should do now
- Quick answers
The new salary floors, in plain numbers
Three figures matter. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold, the minimum base salary for a sponsored worker, rose from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,499. The Core Skills Income Threshold for Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 nominations sits at roughly the same AUD 79,499 mark, while the Specialist Skills stream is pegged near AUD 146,576. The Fair Work High Income Threshold, which matters for older applicants seeking a permanent residence age exemption, moved to AUD 190,100. One rule tightened too. The Core Skills pathway now expects two years of relevant experience, up from one.
Who feels the 1 July shift first
Employers nominating new workers feel it at once, because a nomination lodged under the old figure can be refused. Consider Maria, a Filipino registered nurse weighing an offer from a regional aged-care provider. Her package was drafted in May at just above the previous floor. Under the new numbers it needs a modest bump before her Subclass 482 nomination is safe. Workers already holding a visa are not repriced overnight, yet anyone changing employers or moving toward permanent residence is measured against the current thresholds. “$79,499” is now the number to beat.
Not sure your salary clears the new bar? Map your options at https://linktr.ee/travelexpore
What sponsors and applicants should do now
Check the offer letter against the live thresholds before lodging anything. If the base salary sits within a few thousand dollars of the floor, renegotiate rather than risk a refusal and a lost fee. Applicants chasing permanent residence should confirm whether they qualify under Core Skills or Specialist Skills, since the experience requirement and the salary bar differ. Keep evidence of market rates for your role, because the position must still be paid on par with local staff. Small gaps are cheap to fix now. They are costly to fix after a refusal.
Fast facts to remember
- TSMIT rose to AUD 79,499 from 1 July 2026.
- Specialist Skills nominations sit near AUD 146,576.
- Core Skills now needs two years of experience.
- Existing visa holders are not repriced mid-visa.
Quick answers
Does the new threshold affect my current 482 visa?
No. You keep your current conditions until you change employer or lodge a new visa, when the live figures apply.
Is the Core Skills floor the same as TSMIT?
They are closely aligned in 2026, but confirm the exact figure for your nomination stream before lodging.
What is the Specialist Skills threshold for?
It targets higher-paid roles near AUD 146,576 and can offer faster processing for eligible occupations.
Why did the experience rule change?
The Core Skills pathway now asks for two years of relevant experience to strengthen sponsorship integrity.
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- Facebook: Planning an Australia move? The 2026 salary thresholds just went up.
Line up your Australia move with confidence
The numbers changed, but the path is still open to workers who plan around them. Confirm your threshold, tidy your evidence, and act before the next adjustment. Start your checklist and tools here: https://linktr.ee/travelexpore
Sources
- KPMG — Australia: Key Immigration Updates Effective 1 July 2026 (Tier 1). https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/gms-flash-alert/2026/flash-alert-2026-181.html
- Tafapolsky & Smith LLP — Changes to Australia’s Skilled Visa Salary Requirements (Tier 1). https://tandslaw.com/australia-update-key-changes-to-australias-skilled-visa-salary-requirements-effective-1-july-2026/