The new Australian financial year is approaching and, with it, expected changes to immigration income thresholds and increases in government fees. Sponsors need to start taking these considerations into account over the coming months before the 1 July changes come into effect.
Guaranteed Minimum Earnings
The minimum salary to be paid to a 482 visa holder will increase from 1 July 2026. The Department has not yet released the exact figure that employers will be required to pay, however, using the formula set by the Migration Regulations we estimate that the new guaranteed earnings will be:
| For Core Skills positions: | $79,499 +/- (currently $76,515) for 38 hours per week |
| For Specialist Skills positions: | $146,717 +/- (currently $141,210) for 38 hours per week |
This will apply to all nominations lodged after 1 July 2026, including for 482 visa renewals.
However, employees holding 482 visas that were nominated before 1 July 2026, will still need to earn the higher of:
- The amount approved in their original nomination; OR
- The market salary for that position in the business at any given time, even after the nomination has been approved.
This means that the earnings of all 482 visa holders are not ‘locked in’ as claimed by many commentators on social media forums, and still need to be reviewed regularly to ensure compliance with your obligations as a sponsoring employer.
If an employer nominates a position after 1 July 2026, at the new higher rate, any existing employee on a 482 visa performing the same role, would need to be reviewed and also paid at this rate if that is the current market rate for an Australian performing the same work at the same location at that time. This will need to be a case-by-case assessment.
Failure to increase 482 visa holders to the correct market rate, or underpaying those workers based on a 38 hours week can result in very significant financial penalties and possible suspension or cancellation of sponsorship rights.
Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT)
The FWHIT is the annual income level above which certain employment law and visa-related exemptions can apply (for example, for age exemptions in the Employer Nomination Scheme 186 visa) will also increase from the current level of $183,100 per year but the exact amount has not yet been announced. Based on the previous 5 years, an increase of around 4% should be expected.
Government Fees
Likely to increase on 1 July 2026. The exact amount will be announced after the budget but based on the previous 5 years an increase of 4-5 % should be expected.
We will be hosting a webinar to discuss these changes, have a look at the year ahead, processing times and some best practice suggestions. Details will be released next week.
