Effective 1 July 2026, Australia increases the salary thresholds applicable to sponsored Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) and Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visas, in accordance with the annual indexation mechanism set out in the Migration Regulations.

The CSIT threshold has increased from AUD 76,515 (ca €46,900) to AUD 79,499 (ca €48,729), while the SSIT threshold has risen from AUD 141,210 (ca €86,555) to AUD 146,717 (ca €89,930).

These new thresholds apply to all new visa applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026, as well as to applications for the renewal of a Subclass 482 visa.

The Subclass 482 visa is a temporary work visa that allows an Australian company to recruit a foreign worker to meet a need for skilled labour, particularly in the context of an intra-company transfer. Depending on the relevant sector, applications for a Subclass 482 visa are subject to the CSIT or SSIT salary threshold.

The Subclass 186 visa, on the other hand, is a permanent work visa enabling a foreign worker to obtain permanent residence with the support of their Australian employer. Applications for a Subclass 186 visa are subject to the CSIT.

Key takeaway: any Subclass 482 or Subclass 186 visa application lodged from 1 July 2026 onwards must be assessed against these new salary thresholds. Employers should take these changes into account when planning international recruitment and ensure that the proposed remuneration complies not only with the applicable regulatory thresholds, but also with relevant market salary rates.

Find all details in our partner’s update.

This alert was prepared based on the information shared by our partner Amanda Tinner and her team from Visa Executive, and published with their permission.