Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has announced that, from July 1, 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6%. This is in line with changes to the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE).
Income thresholds are indexed annually so wages for skilled migrants increase at the same rate as Australian workers. This aims to ensure that employers cannot use skilled migration to undercut Australian workers.
From July 1, 2025, indexation changes will be as follows:
- The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515. This will impact nomination applications for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).
- The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from AUD 135,000 to AUD 141,210. This will impact nomination applications for the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).
- The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) used for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187) will increase from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515. This is in line with the CSIT and subject to approval of relevant legislation.
New nomination applications from July 1, 2025, must meet the new relevant income threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
This change will not apply to existing visa holders and nominations lodged before July 1, 2025.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.