The Australian government has announced its plans to overhaul the wages of immigrants, making changes to Australia’s skilled visa income.
Kicking off by July 1, 2025, Australia will raise the skilled visa income thresholds by 4.6%.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the new Australia’s skilled visa income thresholds align with the nation’s rising Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE).
The government agency added that it is part of a migration strategy to keep the skilled migration system competitive and equitable.
With the new skilled visa income thresholds kicking off, employers sponsoring workers under visa subclasses like the Skills in Demand (subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), or regional visas (subclasses 494 and 187), will need to offer the higher of the new skilled visa income thresholds or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR).
For applicants, this could mean a heftier paycheck but also a higher bar to clear for visa eligibility.
Below are the full details of the visa types and new income:
1. Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
From 1 July 2025, CSIT rises to AUD 76,515, required for Core Skills stream nominations in key employer-sponsored visas, ensuring fair wages for skilled migrants.
Old threshold: AUD 73,150
New threshold: AUD 76,515
2. Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) increases to AUD 141,210 from 1 July 2025, applying to Specialist Skills stream nominations for high-earning skilled workers under the 482 visa.
Old threshold: AUD 135,000
New threshold: AUD 141,210
3. Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) matches CSIT at AUD 76,515 from 1 July 2025, required for regional employer-sponsored visas, supporting fair pay and regional migration.
Old threshold: AUD 73,150
New threshold: AUD 76,515 (matching CSIT)
These updated salary thresholds apply to nomination applications under the following skilled visa subclasses:
• Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) – Both Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams
• Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
• Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional)
• Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme)
