| PHOENIX LAW & ASSOCIATES — IMMIGRATION & VISA LAW Weekly Immigration Briefing 5 June 2026 | Client Alert & Commentary | Australia Immigration Intelligence |
Employer Sponsors PLEASE NOTE WELL
Salary thresholds for Subclass 482 and 186 visas rise from 1 July 2026. Nominations lodged before 30 June are assessed under current lower thresholds.
Salary Thresholds Rising from 1 July: The Nomination Timing Decision
Effective 1 July 2026, the minimum salary thresholds for employer-sponsored skilled visas will increase as part of annual indexation under Regulation 5.42A of the Migration Regulations. The updated figures reflect a 3.9 per cent increase on current thresholds.
| Threshold | 2025–26 (Current) | 2026–27 (from 1 July) | Increase |
| CSIT — Core Skills Income Threshold (Subclass 482 Core / 186 / 494) | $76,515 | $79,499 | +$2,984 |
| SSIT — Specialist Skills Income Threshold (Subclass 482 Specialist Skills stream) | $141,210 | $146,717 | +$5,507 |
Critical Lodgement Date:
The threshold that applies is determined by the date the nomination application is lodged — not the date of assessment, and not the date the visa is granted. A nomination lodged before 1 July 2026 is assessed against current lower thresholds even if decided later. A nomination lodged on or after 1 July 2026 must meet the new higher figures.
What This Means for Employers
Employers currently mid-way through a recruitment process — particularly those who have advertised a role at a salary close to the existing $76,515 CSIT — face a straightforward decision: complete Labour Market Testing and lodge the nomination before 30 June or accept that the minimum salary for the sponsored role will need to increase in July.
The interaction with Labour Market Testing requirements is important. LMT must generally be completed before a nomination can be lodged. If advertising was completed at the current threshold rate and the nomination cannot be submitted before 1 July, the LMT itself may need to be re-run at the higher advertised salary. Employers should review their recruitment timelines this week.
Do Not Overlook:
Meeting the CSIT or SSIT is a minimum floor — not a safe harbour. Employers must also demonstrate that the nominated salary equals or exceeds the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the occupation in the relevant location. In high-wage markets like Sydney and Melbourne, the AMSR regularly exceeds the CSIT.
CALL NOW +61731800908 or email – info@phoenix-law.com.au | Level 8, 320 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. #Subclass189Visa #phoenixlaw #brisbanelawyers #MultilingualLawyers #MigrationLaw
