TSMIT Is Expected to Raise to AUD 79,499 in July 2026: How Will It Impact Your Visa Application?

Australia’s skilled migration framework is expected to undergo another salary threshold adjustment in mid-2026. This particularly applies to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), the minimum salary that employers must offer to the sponsored overseas workers. The TSMIT is expected to increase to AUD 79,499 from 1 July 2026.

This change reflects the government’s policy for indexing skilled visa salary thresholds in line with the national wage growth.

For both visa applicants and sponsoring employers, the increase could have significant implications for their eligibility under employer-sponsored visas and workforce planning.

What is the TSMIT?

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is the minimum annual salary that an Australian employer must pay when sponsoring an overseas skilled worker.

TSMIT aims to ensure that:

Overseas skilled workers are paid fairly
Skilled migration does not undercut Australian wages
Sponsored occupations reflect genuine labour market needs

Australian employers must offer at least the TSMIT or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR), whichever is higher, when nominating a position for an overseas skilled worker.

TSMIT commonly applies to employer-sponsored visa pathways, such as:

Current TSMIT

Below is the current TSMIT, as well as CSIT and SSIT that apply to Visa 482 only, which have been in effect since 1 July 2025:

Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): AUD 76,515, applies to the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) – Core Skills stream and Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): AUD 141,210, applies to the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): AUD 76,515, applies to Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187).

What is Expected to Change in July 2026?

It is expected that the Australian Government will increase the TSMIT from the current wage of AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,499 from 1 July 2026.

This number represents an increase of approximately 3.7% to 4%, reflecting changes in Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The adjustment forms part of the Government’s broader policy to ensure salary thresholds are regularly indexed to national wage growth.

How TSMIT Has Increased in Recent Years

The expected projection increase continues a series of adjustments after more than a decade of stagnation.

Historical benchmark changes include:

Period	TSMIT
2013-June 2023	AUD 53,900
July 2023	AUD 70,000
July 2024	AUD 73,150
July 2025	AUD 76,515
July 2026 (projected)	AUD 79,499

The shift from AUD 53,900 to nearly AUD 80,000 within a few years represents a significant recalibration of the skilled migration salary threshold.

Why the Australian Government is Increasing the Threshold

The primary purpose behind increasing TSMIT is to protect wage integrity in the Australian labour market.

Salary thresholds are indexed to ensure that:

Overseas workers receive salaries aligned with Australian market conditions
Employers cannot sponsor workers at artificially low wages
Skilled migration reflects genuine skills shortages rather than cost-driven recruitment

The Government now indexes thresholds annually based on national wage data rather than leaving them the same for long periods.

Learn more: Workplace Justice Visa Regulation

Who will be Affected by the Increase?

The new TSMIT will apply to new nomination applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.

This means the change may affect:

Employers planning to sponsor overseas skilled workers
Skilled migrants preparing applications for employer-sponsored visa
Current visa holders transitioning to permanent residency

However, nominations and visa applications lodged before 1 July 2026 will generally continue to be assessed under the current TSMIT.

Impact on Employer-Sponsored Visa Applicants

For visa applicants planning to apply for the employer-sponsored visa pathways, the increase could affect their eligibility in several ways:

1. Higher minimum salary requirement

Applicants must receive an offer that meets the new salary thresholds.

If the offered salary is lower than the new threshold, the nomination may not be approved.

2. Some roles may no longer qualify

In industries where salaries are usually lower, employers may struggle to meet the higher threshold.

This could reduce sponsorship opportunities for certain occupations.

3. Transition to permanent residency may be affected

Many overseas skilled workers who work on the 482 Visa later transition to permanent residency through the 186 visa pathway.

If their salary does not increase alongside TSMIT, they may encounter difficulties when lodging a new nomination.

If you need to explore other possible visa options, reach out to our Work Visa consultant by WhatsApp at +61494372414. They will assist you in reviewing your background accordingly.

Impact on Australian Employers and Sponsors

For the Australian employers, the increase has broader operational implications.

1. Increased payroll costs

Sponsors must offer at least the new salary threshold, even if the market rate for the job position is lower.

This will increase the recruitment costs for overseas skilled workers.

2. Workforce planning adjustments

If the employers rely on skilled migration, they may need to:

Review salary structures
Adjust recruitment budgets
Assess sponsorship strategies earlier

Employers considering sponsorship may also need to begin the labour market testing and nomination preparation earlier to meet the application timelines.

3. Internal salary pressure

If overseas skilled workers must be paid above the threshold, this can sometimes create internal salary pressure within organisations.

Employers may need to review pay parity across similar job positions.

Consider having a consultation with our Registered Migration Agent if you’re unsure whether sponsoring an overseas skilled worker is still viable.

What Happens If the Increase Becomes Official?

If the projected increase becomes official on 1 July 2026, these will impact you:

New nomination applications must meet the AUD 79,499 threshold
Employers offering salaries below the TSMIT may not be able to sponsor overseas workers
Some planned sponsorship applications may need to be restructured or delayed
Businesses may accelerate nominations before the new financial year

Since the change applies to nominations lodged after the implementation date, timing is an important factor for both employers and visa applicants.

Strategic Considerations Before July 2026

Given the projected TSMIT increase, early preparation may benefit you.

Whether you’re the sponsor or applicant, you may consider:

Reviewing salary offers against the upcoming threshold
Assessing nomination timelines
Starting labour market testing early if required
Evaluating long-term workforce planning

For businesses that rely on overseas skilled talent, the new threshold reinforces the importance of strategic planning within the employer-sponsored visa pathway.

Final Thoughts

The projected TSMIT increase to AUD 74,499 in July 2026 reflects the Australian Government’s ongoing effort to align skilled migration with domestic wage growth.

While the adjustment may strengthen wage protections, it also raises the financial threshold for employer-sponsored migration pathways.

For both skilled migrants and sponsoring employers, understanding the implications early can help avoid disruption and ensure future visa applications remain viable.

Book a schedule with our Registered Migration Agent today to discuss this expected rise in TSMIT further:

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TSMIT Is Expected to Rise to AUD 79,499 in July 2026