Commonwealth of Australia
Commonwealth of Australia visa salary thresholds
Australia's Home Affairs sets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) for sponsored visas (482, 494, 186 TRT). The threshold applies as an absolute floor; applicants must also be paid at or above the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the role.
Last checked 20 April 2026.
Threshold table
| Route | Amount | ~USD | In force since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) Absolute salary floor for subclass 482 (Skills in Demand), 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional), and 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme TRT stream). Indexed 1 July each year — the figure was raised from AUD 70,000 in 2024 and AUD 73,150 from 1 July 2025. | A$73,150 / year | $48,000 | 2025-07-01 | Home Affairs — Skills in Demand visa |
Specialist Skills Pathway (482) Higher-salary stream within the 482 Skills in Demand visa giving access to priority processing (median 7 days) and eligibility for the 186 ENS TRT pathway after 2 years. | A$135,000 / year | $89,000 | 2024-12-07 | Home Affairs — Specialist Skills Pathway |
Core Skills Pathway (482) Standard stream within the 482 Skills in Demand visa for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Minimum salary = TSMIT. | A$73,150 / year | $48,000 | 2024-12-07 | Home Affairs — Core Skills Pathway |
Skilled Independent (189) — no salary floor, points only Subclass 189 is a points-tested permanent visa with no salary floor, but the Department can consider earnings in assessing "work experience" claims. | Not applicable | — | 2012-07-01 | Home Affairs — Subclass 189 |
How often this changes
TSMIT is indexed annually each 1 July. The Specialist Skills Pathway rate is reviewed every two years. The 482 visa replaced the TSS subclass on 7 December 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary to qualify for a work visa in Australia?
Australia's Home Affairs sets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) for sponsored visas (482, 494, 186 TRT). The threshold applies as an absolute floor; applicants must also be paid at or above the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the role.
How often do Australia salary thresholds change?
TSMIT is indexed annually each 1 July. The Specialist Skills Pathway rate is reviewed every two years. The 482 visa replaced the TSS subclass on 7 December 2024.
Does meeting the headline threshold guarantee approval?
No. Headline floors are one of several criteria. Most jurisdictions also apply an occupation-specific going rate, character and health checks, and — for sponsored routes — employer/sponsor compliance. Failing any one of these can lead to refusal even where salary is above the threshold.