If you’re planning to work in Australia, here’s an important update.
The Australian government has increased the minimum salary requirement for several employer-sponsored skilled work visas.
The new rules came into effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to new visa nomination applications submitted on or after this date.
This means Indian professionals and students planning to work in Australia may now need to meet a higher salary threshold to qualify.
Why Has Australia Increased the Salary Requirement?
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs said the salary limits have been revised in line with the country’s Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE).
According to the government, the annual increase helps ensure that overseas skilled workers receive salaries comparable to Australian workers.
It also aims to prevent employers from offering lower wages to foreign employees.
New Salary Limits for Different Work Visas
The updated salary thresholds are as follows:
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): Increased from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423 (around ₹52.4 lakh per year).
This applies to the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482 – Core Skills Stream) and the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186).
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): Increased from AUD 141,210 to AUD 146,576 (around ₹96.7 lakh per year).
This applies to the Specialist Skills Stream under the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482).
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): Also increased from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423.
This applies to the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (Subclass 187).
Applicants must now meet these revised salary requirements to be eligible under the respective visa categories.
Who Will Be Affected?
The revised salary rules apply only to new nomination applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026.
If your nomination application was submitted before this date, or if you already hold one of these visas, the new salary thresholds will not affect you.
However, professionals planning to move to Australia for work, as well as Indian students hoping to obtain a work visa after graduation, will need to meet the updated salary requirements before applying.
What This Means for Indian Applicants
The new rules do not stop Indians from applying for Australian work visas, but they do raise the salary benchmark that employers must offer.
Anyone planning to apply under the affected visa categories should check whether their job offer meets the new income threshold before submitting a visa application.
