Beginning 1 July 2025, the Australian Government is increasing the income thresholds for several skilled visa categories as part of its ongoing commitment to align migration policy with labour market standards and prevent undercutting of local wages. These adjustments follow recommendations from the government’s Migration Strategy and recent Migration Review.

Key updates effective 1 July 2025:

  • Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT):
    The CSIT will rise from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515. This new threshold applies to the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Core Skills stream and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

  • Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT):
    The SSIT will increase from AUD 135,000 to AUD 141,210, relevant for the Specialist Skills stream within the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa.

  • Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT):
    The TSMIT will also move from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515. This affects the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visas.

Application of new thresholds:

  • New nomination applications for the affected skilled visa programs (subclass 482, 186, 494, and 187) lodged on or after 1 July 2025 must meet the updated minimum income thresholds or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.

  • These increased thresholds do not apply to existing visa holders or to nominations lodged before 1 July 2025.

Government rationale:
The move ensures wages for skilled migrants continue to reflect annual growth in Australian average weekly ordinary time earnings. This maintains alignment between migrant and local worker salaries, protects fairness, and supports national workforce and regional development objectives.

Next steps for applicants and employers:

  • Prospective visa applicants should confirm their offered salaries meet or exceed the updated thresholds for nominations lodged from 1 July 2025.

  • Employers must review and adjust employment contracts and nomination applications to ensure compliance.

  • Anyone applying before 1 July 2025 will have their applications assessed at the current lower rates.

Full details, including annual indexation notices and current salary requirements, are available through official government announcements.