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 1 June 2026. Every figure is mapped to a primary government source and re-verified over time; recorded changes appear in the changelog.
What salary do you need for a skilled-work visa in Australia?
The main skilled-work salary floor in Commonwealth of Australia is A$76,515 / year (Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT, formerly TSMIT)), effective 1 July 2025. Occupation-specific going rates may bind higher.
Verified against Home Affairs — Skills in Demand visa on 1 June 2026.
Threshold table
| Route | Amount | ~USD | In force since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT, formerly 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 — raised to AUD 76,515 on 1 July 2025 (from AUD 73,150). A further indexed rise to AUD 79,499 is scheduled for 1 July 2026. | A$76,515 / year | $50,300 | 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. The threshold (SSIT) rose to AUD 141,210 on 1 July 2025 (from AUD 135,000); a further rise to AUD 146,717 is scheduled for 1 July 2026. | A$141,210 / year | $92,800 | 2025-07-01 | 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 = the Core Skills Income Threshold, AUD 76,515 from 1 July 2025. | A$76,515 / year | $50,300 | 2025-07-01 | 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
The Core Skills Income Threshold (formerly TSMIT) is indexed each 1 July: AUD 76,515 from 1 July 2025, rising to AUD 79,499 on 1 July 2026. The Specialist Skills threshold is AUD 141,210 (→ AUD 146,717 on 1 July 2026). The 482 Skills in Demand 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?
The Core Skills Income Threshold (formerly TSMIT) is indexed each 1 July: AUD 76,515 from 1 July 2025, rising to AUD 79,499 on 1 July 2026. The Specialist Skills threshold is AUD 141,210 (→ AUD 146,717 on 1 July 2026). The 482 Skills in Demand 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.
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Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.