On 29 April, global immigration firm Corporate Immigration Partners flagged a critical change for Australian sponsors: the methodology for calculating the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) was amended on 25 March, altering how companies must justify pay offers for Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) and Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visas. Instead of relying on internal remuneration data, sponsors must now reference authoritative external sources—such as JobOutlook and the Tax Office—when demonstrating that a nominee’s package meets or exceeds local market rates. Failure to do so risks nomination refusal or later-stage compliance audits.
![New Salary-Benchmark Rules Hit Employer-Sponsored Visas]()
Organisations seeking hands-on support with these revised rules can turn to VisaHQ, which provides streamlined visa processing and expert guidance on meeting Australia’s AMSR evidence standards; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/australia/
For sectors plagued by acute shortages—healthcare, engineering and digital technology—the higher evidence threshold could inflate payroll budgets. Migration advisers are already modelling the impact on FY 2026-27 head-count plans, warning that under-budgeted projects may face delays until new salary approvals are secured. Practically, HR teams should update template labour-market testing reports and ensure procurement systems capture third-party salary data. Multinationals are also revisiting regional mobility policies to confirm that seconded staff entering Australia after 25 March comply with the revised AMSR test.
Organisations seeking hands-on support with these revised rules can turn to VisaHQ, which provides streamlined visa processing and expert guidance on meeting Australia’s AMSR evidence standards; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/australia/
For sectors plagued by acute shortages—healthcare, engineering and digital technology—the higher evidence threshold could inflate payroll budgets. Migration advisers are already modelling the impact on FY 2026-27 head-count plans, warning that under-budgeted projects may face delays until new salary approvals are secured. Practically, HR teams should update template labour-market testing reports and ensure procurement systems capture third-party salary data. Multinationals are also revisiting regional mobility policies to confirm that seconded staff entering Australia after 25 March comply with the revised AMSR test.
