If your business sponsors overseas workers on the Skills in Demand (SID) (Subclass 482) or Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) visas, you need to be aware of an important financial change. From 1 July 2026, the mandatory income thresholds for these visas will increase. Because of how these thresholds interact with Labour Market Testing (LMT), employers must act now to ensure their job advertisements remain valid for future applications.

The New Income Thresholds (CSIT and SSIT)

Each year, the Australian Government automatically adjusts the minimum salary requirements based on the latest earnings data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). For the 2026–27 program year, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) thresholds will increase as follows:

The Critical Link Between Income and LMT

For a Subclass 482 nomination, employers are legally required to complete Labour Market Testing (LMT). This means advertising the role for at least 28 days to prove no suitable Australian worker was found. The Golden Rule is that the LMT must be completed in full before you lodge the nomination application.

Threshold Type	Current (Until 30 June 2026)	New (From 1 July 2026)
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)	$76,515	$79,499
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)	$141,210	$146,717

Why the 1 July Date is a "Refusal Risk"?

If you intend to lodge a nomination application on or after 1 July 2026, your LMT advertisements must reflect the new, higher income thresholds.

If you start your job advertisements in June using the old salary rate ($76,515) but do not complete the 28-day period and lodge the application until July, your LMT will be considered invalid.
The Department will refuse the nomination because the advertised salary does not meet the new $79,499 threshold that applies on the date of lodgement.

What Employers Should Do Now?

To avoid a costly nomination refusal, employers should follow these steps:

If you cannot lodge your nomination by 30 June 2026, you must ensure your job ads show a salary of at least $79,499 or $146,717 for specialist roles.
If you have ads running right now that will carry over into July, consider updating them immediately to reflect the new rates.
Ensure the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) you are offering still meets or exceeds these new minimums.

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