Notifications of 1 July changes Part 2
Rather than give you all the good news of the Australian visa changes in one day, we have decided to delay the gratification and spread the love over two days.
Temporary Skills Migration Income Threshold increases.
The Temporary Skills Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has increased to $79,423, effective 1 July 2026, for applications that are lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
New nominations from this date will need to meet the new threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
The CSIT for existing 482 visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2026 can remain at the rate as when lodged:
- $79,423 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.
- $76,515 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
- $73,150 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 7 December 2024 and 30 June 2025.
Please note: the earnings must still be reviewed and increased to meet the market rate if that is higher.
Specialist Skills Income Threshold Increase
Skills in Demand visa (SID) (subclass 482) applications in the Specialist Skills stream must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) increase.
The SSIT for SID Specialist Skills Stream nomination applications is as follows:
- $146,576 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.
- $141,210 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
- $135,000 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 7 December 2024 and 30 June 2025.
Working Holiday Visas
The instrument increases the age limit from 30 to 35 years for 417 visa applicants who hold a passport issued by Cyprus, Finland, Germany, or the Republic of Korea. These changes are due to bilateral agreements between Australia and each relevant country.
Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) increase
From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) increases from $183,100 to $190,100 per annum. The threshold is indexed annually on 1 July.
The threshold is relevant to the age exemption under the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa. Applicants relying on this exemption to satisfy the under-45 age requirement must demonstrate earnings above the FWHIT for the relevant qualifying period, meaning the increased threshold will apply to applications lodged from 1 July 2026.
The increase to $190,100 takes effect from 1 July 2026 and will apply to any Subclass 186 applications where the age exemption is being relied upon from that date.
Source; Migration Institute of Australia (MIA)
