The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) are automatically indexed each year for the Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 programs, in accordance with the formula prescribed in regulation 5.42A of the Migration Regulations.
For these visa programs, a new legislative instrument is not required to update the CSIT and SSIT. Regulation 5.42A applies the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) figures for the relevant reference quarter and base quarter to determine the indexed amounts.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has now released the November 2025 AWOTE data, which is used to calculate the thresholds applying from 1 July 2026.
For the 2026–27 program year, commencing 1 July 2026, the indexed thresholds will be:
- CSIT: $79,499 (current 2025–26 threshold is $76,515)
- SSIT: $146,717 (current 2025–26 threshold is $141,210)
What does this mean for HR ?
From 1 July 2026, all visa applications lodged under the 482 and 186 programmes must evidence a minimum salary threshold of the above annual salary. In addition to this requirement, sponsors will still need to evidence market rates.
This increased salary requirement will also include applications for renewals for 482 visa applications.
This salary increase does not apply to current 482 visa holders unless a new visa application needs to be lodged after 1 July 2026.
