Salary Threshold for Sponsorship Increasing in July 2026: What Employers Should Know

Australia’s employer sponsorship system includes minimum salary thresholds to ensure that migrant workers are paid fairly and that the program targets genuine skilled roles.   

From 1 July 2026, these thresholds are expected to increase again as part of the government’s annual indexation process. Based on current wage data, the projected thresholds for the 2026–27 program year are:

Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
AUD 79,499

Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)
AUD 146,717

Currently, the thresholds are:

CSIT
AUD 76,515

SSIT
AUD 141,210

This means employers should expect a noticeable increase in the minimum salary required for certain employer-sponsored visas.

Why we already have a strong indication of the new salary levels

These thresholds are indexed every year based on AWOTE, Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Because AWOTE data is publicly available, it allows migration professionals to estimate the likely increase before the official announcement. For this reason, the figures above are considered a strong projection for the upcoming program year.

Which visas are affected

The income thresholds are relevant for employer-sponsored visas, including:

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494)

In practice, employers must meet two salary tests:

1. The salary must be above the relevant migration income threshold
2. The salary must match the market salary rate for the role.

Both conditions must be satisfied.

Why the government increases these thresholds

The purpose of indexation is to ensure that the migration system reflects the broader Australian labour market. If wages increase nationally but migration salary thresholds remain unchanged, there is a risk that the program could allow underpaid roles. By linking thresholds to AWOTE, the government keeps employer sponsorship aligned with general wage growth.

What employers should consider now

Businesses planning to sponsor workers in 2026 should already factor the expected increase into their salary planning. For employers preparing applications close to the middle of the year, the timing of a nomination may affect the required salary.

Understanding these thresholds early can help businesses plan recruitment budgets and avoid surprises during the application process.

Seven Corp regularly helps employers assess sponsorship salary requirements before applications are lodged.