2026 Skilled Visa Income Threshold Increase: What Employers and Applicants Need to Know

Salary settings are a critical part of many employer-sponsored visa matters. From 1 July 2026, new indexed income thresholds apply to relevant nominations.

Effective date: 1 July 2026.

What changed

The Core Skills Income Threshold and Specialist Skills Income Threshold increased by 3.8%. The new thresholds apply to nominations lodged from 1 July 2026; existing visa holders and nominations lodged before that date are not retrospectively indexed by this change.

The indexed thresholds apply to nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026. Home Affairs states that the change does not retrospectively index existing visa holders or nominations lodged before that date.

Who may be affected

Sponsors, nominees and employers preparing new nominations from 1 July 2026.

A nomination can fail if guaranteed annual earnings do not meet the applicable threshold and market salary requirements at lodgement.

What this does not mean

Meeting an income threshold does not automatically make a nomination approvable. Market salary, guaranteed earnings and all other nomination and visa requirements still need to be satisfied.

Important points

• The relevant threshold is only one part of the salary assessment.

• Guaranteed annual earnings and annual market salary rate requirements must both be considered.

• Confirm which payments count as guaranteed earnings; do not assume bonuses or uncertain allowances qualify.

• Check the nomination lodgement date because transitional treatment turns on timing.

Summary

Official source

Official source: Department of Home Affairs

Important information

This article provides general information only and is current as at 12 August 2026. It is not legal or migration advice. Australian migration law, policy, fees and processing arrangements can change, and the correct approach depends on the facts and documents in each matter. Visa outcomes and processing times cannot be guaranteed.

For advice based on your circumstances, you may book an initial consultation with Chin & Co Migration Agency.