Australia’s 2026 skilled migration salary thresholds have been clarified: the Core Skills Income Threshold is $79,423, not $79,499, from 1 July 2026. The difference comes from using the correct AWOTE index figure.
Many immigration professionals reported that the Core Skills Income Threshold would rise from $76,515 to $79,499. That figure was based on the 3.9% trending AWOTE increase.
The correct calculation uses the original AWOTE increase of 3.8%, based on full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings for the most recent December quarter before 1 July, divided by the AWOTE for the previous December quarter. Using that factor takes the threshold from $76,515 to $79,422.57, which rounds up to $79,423.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes the AWOTE data here: Average Weekly Earnings, Australia.
The Department of Home Affairs has reported the threshold as $79,423: Home Affairs update.
The $79,423 threshold applies to:
- Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
- Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
The CSIT applies to nomination applications for:
- Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand visa, Core Skills stream
- Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa
The TSMIT applies to nomination applications for:
- Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
- Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa
The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) has increased by the same factor, from $141,210 to $146,576. This applies to nomination applications for the Specialist Skills stream of the subclass 482 – Skills in Demand visa.
New regulations also tie the TSMIT to the CSIT so the two thresholds update together: F2026L00874. These changes sit alongside the usual increases to visa application charges and citizenship application fees.
The new thresholds apply only to nomination applications lodged from 1 July 2026.
Employers should also note that the income threshold is not the only salary requirement. The annual market salary rate still needs to be considered: AMSR changes.
Source article: www.peakmigration.com.au
