On 1 July 2026 the salary thresholds for skilled work visas rose again, and the rules for international students remain tighter than they once were. Here is a clear, plain-English summary of what changed and who it affects — current as at August 2026.
An employer and a skilled employee discussing work in an Australian workplace. Photo: royalty-free and copyright-free, sourced from Pexels.
Australia’s migration system changes often, and 2026 brings another round of updates that matter to a lot of people — skilled workers, the businesses that sponsor them, and international students and their families. Many of those people live and work right across Western Sydney and the Hills District, one of the most multicultural parts of the country.
Below is a plain-English summary of the main changes and who they affect. This is general information only, not immigration or legal advice, and the figures and rules described are current as at August 2026.
If you are a skilled worker on an employer-sponsored visa, or a business that sponsors staff, this is the change to know about. The main work visa is the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), which replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024. It has three streams — Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement.
An employer who sponsors a worker must pay at least a set minimum salary (and at least the market rate for the role). That minimum is governed by an income threshold, and those thresholds are indexed every 1 July in line with Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings. From 1 July 2026, they rose by 3.8 per cent:
| Income threshold | Until 30 June 2026 | From 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) | $76,515 | $79,423 |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | $141,210 | $146,576 |
| Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) | $76,515 | $79,423 |
The CSIT applies to nominations for the Core Skills stream of the subclass 482 visa and for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). The SSIT applies to the Specialist Skills stream. The TSMIT applies to the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187).
A key practical point on timing: the new figures apply to nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026. A nomination lodged before that date is generally assessed against the earlier threshold, even if it is decided later. For employers planning to sponsor someone whose salary sits between the old and new figures, when the nomination is lodged can make a real difference.
The rules for student visas (subclass 500) have been tightened in recent years to focus on genuine students, and those settings continue to apply in 2026. Two requirements stand out:
For the large student and family communities across Western Sydney, these requirements mean applications need to be prepared carefully, with proper evidence — getting the detail wrong is a common reason visas are refused.
Each year the Government sets the size and shape of the permanent Migration Program, and the continued emphasis is on skilled migration, alongside family pathways such as partner visas. Australia’s separate Humanitarian Program is set at 20,000 places for 2026–27. The overall direction is familiar: a stronger focus on skills, and tighter integrity checks across the board.
Because exact planning levels and some thresholds are reviewed and can change from year to year, it is always worth confirming the current position before you rely on it.
For employers, sponsoring a worker just became a little more expensive, and the timing of a nomination around 1 July 2026 can affect which salary threshold applies. For skilled workers, it is worth checking that your salary and role line up with the right threshold for your stream. For students and their families, the genuine-study and financial-evidence requirements mean an application needs to be thorough and well documented. And for anyone who receives a refusal or cancellation, there are often review options — but they are time-limited, so acting quickly matters.
Australian solicitors can provide immigration legal assistance, and Michael Campbell Law helps clients across Baulkham Hills, Norwest, Castle Hill and the wider Western Sydney area. We can help employers understand their sponsorship and nomination obligations, help skilled workers and families understand their eligibility and the best timing for an application, and advise people who are facing a visa refusal or cancellation about their options and any review rights. Michael handles every matter personally and explains your position in clear, practical terms.
Related reading: if you are planning a partner visa, see our guide on why partner visa applications must now be decision-ready.
If you have a visa question — whether you are a business looking to sponsor staff, a skilled worker, a student, or a family member — you are welcome to get in touch for a straightforward conversation about where you stand.
This article is general information only and not immigration or legal advice. Visa rules, income thresholds, fees and policies change frequently and how they apply depends on your individual circumstances. The figures described are current as at August 2026 and reflect the Department of Home Affairs indexation notice of 1 July 2026; always check the latest information with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) and obtain advice for your situation before acting.
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) lets approved employers sponsor skilled overseas workers. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024 and has three streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement.
From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold rose to $79,423 (up from $76,515) and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold rose to $146,576 (up from $141,210), an increase of 3.8 per cent in line with annual indexation to Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold also rose to $79,423. The new figures apply to nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
No. A nomination lodged before 1 July 2026 is generally assessed against the earlier threshold, even if it is decided after that date. The timing of when a nomination is lodged can therefore matter.
Since 23 March 2024, student visa applicants must show they genuinely intend to study in Australia. They answer set questions about their circumstances and ties, why they chose the particular course and provider, and how the course will benefit them.
Applicants must show they have genuinely available funds to cover tuition, travel and living costs for the first 12 months (or pro rata for a shorter stay). The required amount has been increased as part of integrity changes, so applicants should check the current figure on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Yes. Australian legal practitioners can provide immigration legal assistance, including advice on eligibility, employer sponsorship and nominations, visa applications, and reviewing or responding to a visa refusal or cancellation.
Whether you are an employer looking to sponsor staff, a skilled worker, a student or a family member, Michael can help you understand your options. Book a free 15-minute call, or send an enquiry.