From 1 July 2025, employers will need to guarantee that employees nominated for a 482 visa will be paid at least:
- For Core Skills positions: $76,527 (currently $73,150) for 38 hours per week
- For Specialist Skills positions: $141,210 (currently $135,000) for 38 hours per week
This will apply to all nominations lodged after 1 July 2025, including for 482 visa renewals.
Employees holding 482 visas that were nominated before 1 July 2025, will still need to earn the higher of:
- The amount approved in the nomination OR
- The current market salary for that position in the business.
Annual increases in the minimum earnings are now prescribed by legislation and need to factored in by all employers.
This means that all 482 visa holders will need to be reviewed on 1 July (and regularly) to ensure that they are being paid as required under their visa and in accordance with the market rate for the role.
If an employer nominates a position after 1 July 2025, 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 the new market rate.
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.
Join our webinar on 13 March where we and a panel of experts will be discussing the changes, how they interact with employment law and the industrial relations considerations. Details will follow next week.
