The income thresholds for the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) and Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa programs will increase from 1 July 2026 following the annual indexation process under regulation 5.42A of the Migration Regulations.
Each year, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) are automatically adjusted based on the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). As this indexation occurs under the Regulations, no separate legislative instrument is required.
Indexed thresholds for the 2026–27 program year:
- CSIT: $79,499 (2025–26: $76,515)
- SSIT: $146,717 (2025–26: $141,210)
A key practical consideration relates to Labour Market Testing (LMT). Sponsors must complete LMT including the mandatory 28-day advertising period before a Subclass 482 nomination can be lodged. Any advertising commenced close to 1 July 2026 must reflect the new CSIT and SSIT amounts, as advertising that references the current lower thresholds may not satisfy requirements once the updated figures take effect.
