If your business is thinking about sponsoring skilled workers from overseas on a 482, 494, or 186 visa, you need to know about an important change coming soon. Starting 1 July 2026, the minimum salary you must pay these workers (known as the Core Skills Income Threshold, or CSIT) will increase from $76,515 to $79,499 per year. That’s an extra $2,984 a year. This new higher-salary rule will apply to any sponsorship applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026. If you lodge your application before 1 July 2026, it will still be assessed under the current lower salary amount of $76,515.
Why Does the Minimum Salary Go Up Each Year? Every year, the Australian Government increases the income threshold for skilled visas. The minimum salary is calculated automatically using official wage statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This year, the increase is about 3.9%, which is lower than last year’s 4.6% rise. The reason is simple: wages across Australia have not been growing as fast this year as they did last year.
Why Employers Should Lodge Before 1 July 2026
Because the minimum salary is going up, sponsoring a new worker will become more expensive after 1 July. If your business is planning to bring in skilled overseas workers on a 482 visa (temporary), 494 (regional provisional), or move them to permanent residency through the 186 visa, it’s smart to act now. Submitting your application before the deadline can help you avoid the higher salary requirement and save money. This is especially important if you are currently recruiting or preparing offers for overseas talent. Allskills Recruitment and Migration Services will be glad to assist if you have any questions about the process. Whether you need help with eligibility, preparing the paperwork, or timing your application correctly, our team is ready to support you. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Allskills Recruitment and Migration Services today to discuss your sponsorship plans and make sure everything is lodged before 1 July 2026. Your business needs the right people — let’s make sure you secure them under the current rules while you still can.
