The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its November 2025 Average Weekly Earnings figures on 26 February 2026, revealing full-time adult ordinary earnings of A$2,051.10—up 3.8 % year-on-year. Because the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) for employer-sponsored visas are automatically indexed to these earnings, the data lock-in higher minimum salaries of A$79,499 (CSIT) and A$146,717 (SSIT) from 1 July 2026. The thresholds apply to nominations under the new Skills-in-Demand (subclass 482) visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
![ABS Wage Data Sets Stage for July Rise in Employer-Sponsored Visa Salary Floors]()
Employers and migrants looking for clarity on how these figures affect their specific case can consult VisaHQ’s Australia hub (https://www.visahq.com/australia/), where real-time visa updates, salary calculators and professional support streamline the application process and reduce the risk of refusals.
Any nomination lodged on or after 1 July must meet the updated figures, while those filed earlier will be assessed against the current CSIT of A$76,515 and SSIT of A$141,210. For multinational employers, the announcement starts a four-month scramble. Mobility and HR teams are auditing pipelines to decide which roles should proceed under 2025–26 pricing and which can absorb the higher salary. Labour-market testing takes a statutory 28 days, meaning advertisements should be placed by early June at the latest to lodge under the lower thresholds. The higher floors reinforce the Albanese Government’s strategy of using skilled migration to complement, not undercut, local wages. Unions praised the automatic indexation, while employer groups warned of tighter margins in health, aged care and regional hospitality. Immigration lawyers note that pay packets close to the new limits may become non-competitive sooner, given strong wage growth forecasts. Practically, companies should update global cost-of-assignment calculators and alert overseas candidates who may see offer letters revised. Budget holders are advised to build in a 4–5 % buffer for next year’s indexation cycle, as AWOTE is expected to keep climbing. Failure to meet the new CSIT/SSIT after July will trigger nomination refusal and potential project delays.
Employers and migrants looking for clarity on how these figures affect their specific case can consult VisaHQ’s Australia hub (https://www.visahq.com/australia/), where real-time visa updates, salary calculators and professional support streamline the application process and reduce the risk of refusals.
Any nomination lodged on or after 1 July must meet the updated figures, while those filed earlier will be assessed against the current CSIT of A$76,515 and SSIT of A$141,210. For multinational employers, the announcement starts a four-month scramble. Mobility and HR teams are auditing pipelines to decide which roles should proceed under 2025–26 pricing and which can absorb the higher salary. Labour-market testing takes a statutory 28 days, meaning advertisements should be placed by early June at the latest to lodge under the lower thresholds. The higher floors reinforce the Albanese Government’s strategy of using skilled migration to complement, not undercut, local wages. Unions praised the automatic indexation, while employer groups warned of tighter margins in health, aged care and regional hospitality. Immigration lawyers note that pay packets close to the new limits may become non-competitive sooner, given strong wage growth forecasts. Practically, companies should update global cost-of-assignment calculators and alert overseas candidates who may see offer letters revised. Budget holders are advised to build in a 4–5 % buffer for next year’s indexation cycle, as AWOTE is expected to keep climbing. Failure to meet the new CSIT/SSIT after July will trigger nomination refusal and potential project delays.
