1. Australia Adjusts Skilled Visa Income Thresholds from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government will officially increase skilled visa income thresholds by 3.8%. This adjustment is based on the annual change in the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) indicator.
This annual adjustment aims to ensure that wages for skilled migrant workers increase at the same rate as earnings for Australian workers. It also helps prevent employers from using skilled migration programs to recruit overseas workers at lower wages than those offered to local employees.
For people exploring employment opportunities in Australia through employer-sponsored visa programs, particularly subclasses 482, 186 and 494, understanding the updated income thresholds is essential for preparing applications and planning their career pathways.
2. New Skilled Visa Income Thresholds Effective from 1 July 2026
According to the Department of Home Affairs, three key income thresholds will be adjusted as follows:
| Income Threshold | Current Amount | New Amount from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) | AUD 76,515 | AUD 79,423 |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | AUD 141,210 | AUD 146,576 |
| Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) | AUD 76,515 | AUD 79,423 |
2.1. Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) – AUD 79,423 per year
The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423 per year.
The new threshold applies to nomination applications under the following visa categories:
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) – Core Skills stream.
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).
This means that new nomination applications lodged under these visa categories from 1 July 2026 must meet the updated income threshold.
2.2. Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) – AUD 146,576 per year
For highly skilled professionals, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from AUD 141,210 to AUD 146,576 per year.
This threshold applies to nomination applications under the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).
This is the minimum income threshold for applicants under the Specialist Skills stream. Therefore, both workers and sponsoring employers should take this adjustment into account when determining the proposed salary in a nomination application.
2.3. Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) – AUD 79,423 per year
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will also increase from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423 per year.
The new threshold affects nomination applications under:
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494).
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187).
Employers intending to recruit overseas workers through these sponsorship programs should update their salary arrangements when preparing nomination applications.
3. Which Applications Must Meet the New Income Thresholds?
According to the announcement, from 1 July 2026, new nomination applications must meet the relevant income threshold for the applicable visa stream.
However, this adjustment will not apply to:
Existing visa holders who have already been granted a visa.
Nomination applications lodged before 1 July 2026.
Therefore, the date on which a nomination application is lodged is an important factor for both workers and sponsoring employers. Applications submitted before the policy takes effect will not be subject to the new income thresholds under this adjustment.
4. What Should Vietnamese Workers Consider When Looking for Employment Opportunities in Australia?
The increase in minimum income thresholds does not mean that overseas workers will lose their opportunities to work in Australia. However, this change highlights the importance of meeting salary requirements under skilled employer-sponsored migration programs.
If you are planning to find a job in Australia through an employer-sponsored visa, there are several important considerations:
First, understand the income threshold for your intended visa pathway.
Each visa category has its own applicable income threshold. Workers should identify whether they are considering the Core Skills stream, Specialist Skills stream or a regional employer-sponsored program to understand the relevant salary requirements.
Second, look for suitable sponsoring employers.
In addition to meeting the relevant skills and experience requirements, workers should identify employers with genuine recruitment needs, suitable job vacancies and the ability to meet their sponsorship obligations under Australian regulations.
Third, prepare a complete professional profile.
Work experience, qualifications, professional certificates and the ability to meet the requirements of the nominated position are important factors that should be carefully prepared.
Fourth, stay updated on Australian migration policies before lodging an application.
Visa regulations, income thresholds and sponsorship requirements may change over time. Therefore, workers should regularly follow updates from the Department of Home Affairs and carefully review the latest requirements before making any decisions.
5. Stay Updated on Australian Visa Policies to Make the Most of Employment Opportunities
The 3.8% increase in skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2026 is an important change affecting Australia's skilled migration programs, particularly visa subclasses 482, 186 and 494.
For Vietnamese workers interested in the Australian employment market, understanding income requirements, job eligibility and employer sponsorship obligations can help them make more informed decisions and develop a clearer career pathway.
timvieclamuc.com provides information about Australia's labour market, in-demand occupations and employment opportunities, helping workers explore and identify suitable career pathways in Australia.
| Ngưỡng thu nhập | Mức hiện tại | Mức mới từ 01/07/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) | 76.515 AUD | 79.423 AUD |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | 141.210 AUD | 146.576 AUD |
| Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) | 76.515 AUD | 79.423 AUD |
2.1. Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) – 79.423 AUD/năm
Ngưỡng thu nhập Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) sẽ tăng từ 76.515 AUD lên 79.423 AUD/năm.
Mức thu nhập mới áp dụng đối với hồ sơ đề cử lao động (nomination application) thuộc:
Visa Skills in Demand (subclass 482) – diện Core Skills.
Visa Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
Điều này có nghĩa là các hồ sơ đề cử mới thuộc những diện visa trên, được nộp từ ngày 01/07/2026, cần đáp ứng ngưỡng thu nhập mới theo quy định.
2.2. Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) – 146.576 AUD/năm
Đối với nhóm lao động có kỹ năng chuyên môn cao, Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) sẽ tăng từ 141.210 AUD lên 146.576 AUD/năm.
Ngưỡng này áp dụng cho hồ sơ đề cử thuộc diện Specialist Skills của visa Skills in Demand (subclass 482).
Đây là mức thu nhập tối thiểu dành cho nhóm ứng viên thuộc diện Specialist Skills, do đó người lao động và doanh nghiệp bảo lãnh cần lưu ý khi xây dựng mức lương trong hồ sơ đề cử.
2.3. Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) – 79.423 AUD/năm
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) cũng được điều chỉnh từ 76.515 AUD lên 79.423 AUD/năm.
Mức mới ảnh hưởng đến hồ sơ đề cử thuộc:
Visa Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494).
Visa Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187).
Những doanh nghiệp có nhu cầu tuyển dụng lao động nước ngoài theo các chương trình bảo lãnh thuộc nhóm này cần cập nhật mức thu nhập mới khi chuẩn bị hồ sơ đề cử.
3. Which Applications Must Meet the New Income Thresholds?
According to the announcement, from 1 July 2026, new nomination applications must meet the relevant income threshold for the applicable visa stream.
However, this adjustment will not apply to:
Existing visa holders who have already been granted a visa.
Nomination applications lodged before 1 July 2026.
Therefore, the date on which a nomination application is lodged is an important factor for both workers and sponsoring employers. Applications submitted before the policy takes effect will not be subject to the new income thresholds under this adjustment.
4. What Should Vietnamese Workers Consider When Looking for Employment Opportunities in Australia?
The increase in minimum income thresholds does not mean that overseas workers will lose their opportunities to work in Australia. However, this change highlights the importance of meeting salary requirements under skilled employer-sponsored migration programs.
If you are planning to find a job in Australia through an employer-sponsored visa, there are several important considerations:
First, understand the income threshold for your intended visa pathway.
Each visa category has its own applicable income threshold. Workers should identify whether they are considering the Core Skills stream, Specialist Skills stream or a regional employer-sponsored program to understand the relevant salary requirements.
Second, look for suitable sponsoring employers.
In addition to meeting the relevant skills and experience requirements, workers should identify employers with genuine recruitment needs, suitable job vacancies and the ability to meet their sponsorship obligations under Australian regulations.
Third, prepare a complete professional profile.
Work experience, qualifications, professional certificates and the ability to meet the requirements of the nominated position are important factors that should be carefully prepared.
Fourth, stay updated on Australian migration policies before lodging an application.
Visa regulations, income thresholds and sponsorship requirements may change over time. Therefore, workers should regularly follow updates from the Department of Home Affairs and carefully review the latest requirements before making any decisions.
5. Stay Updated on Australian Visa Policies to Make the Most of Employment Opportunities
The 3.8% increase in skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2026 is an important change affecting Australia's skilled migration programs, particularly visa subclasses 482, 186 and 494.
For Vietnamese workers interested in the Australian employment market, understanding income requirements, job eligibility and employer sponsorship obligations can help them make more informed decisions and develop a clearer career pathway.
timvieclamuc.com provides information about Australia's labour market, in-demand occupations and employment opportunities, helping workers explore and identify suitable career pathways in Australia.
