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Australia Ups Visa Salary Floor Amid Labor Shortages
10 Apr
Summary
- Australia's visa salary thresholds for skilled workers are rising.
- The Subclass 482 visa's core skills income threshold increases to AUD 79,499.
- Record unfilled jobs persist across healthcare, tech, and construction.
Australia is set to implement a significant change to its work visa program, raising salary thresholds for key routes starting July 1, 2026. The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) for the popular Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa will increase by 3.9%, from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,499.
A further increase will be seen under the Specialist Skills stream, with its threshold rising from AUD 141,210 to AUD 146,717. These adjustments are intended to ensure foreign workers receive salaries comparable to local wage standards. Employers will need to budget higher salaries to sponsor overseas talent.
This policy shift occurs as Australia grapples with substantial labor shortages, with over 330,000 job vacancies reported as of January 2026. Key sectors like healthcare, professional services, construction, and education are acutely affected. Despite these needs, the higher salary requirements might narrow opportunities for mid-level skilled professionals seeking to work in Australia.
Skilled professionals in fields such as technology, engineering, and healthcare can still utilize the 482 visa for direct entry into the Australian labor market. The visa offers opportunities for gaining work experience and potentially provides pathways to permanent residency, contingent on meeting eligibility criteria.
