From 1 July 2025, employers must pay sponsored workers a base of at least:
- Core Skills Threshold (CSIT/TSMIT): AU$76,515
- Specialist Skills Threshold (SSIT): AU$141,210
You must pay whichever is higher – either the threshold or the local market salary rate – plus superannuation at the prescribed statutory rate (currently 12%).
Why It Matters
- Salaries below the threshold → visa refusal.
- Paying less than the market rate → non-compliance and penalties.
Examples
- A restaurant sponsoring a chef must now pay at least AU$76,515, even if awards are lower.
- An IT company sponsoring a data engineer as a specialist role must match or exceed the AU$141,210 threshold.
Employer Checklist
- Review salaries for roles you plan to sponsor.
- Budget for the new thresholds.
- Check market rates in your sector.
- Update employment contracts before nomination.
Final Thought
Salary rules are central to sponsorship. Paying correctly keeps you compliant and protects your business.
Unsure if your salaries meet the new rules?
Let Seven Corp review your proposed contract before you lodge.