The Australian Bureau of Statistics has announced new Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) figures that will apply to income thresholds for the Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 Visa programs from 1 July 2026.

Written by Sheila Woods (MARN: 0533879) of Interstaff  27 February 2026

2026-27 Income Thresholds

From 1 July 2026, the thresholds will increase to:

Core Skills Income Threshold:
$79,499 (currently $76,515).

Specialist Skills Income Threshold:
$146,717 (currently $141,210).

These new thresholds will apply to all Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 applications lodged on or after this date.

The government indexes these thresholds automatically each year under the Migration Regulations to reflect changes in national earnings.

What this means for employers

Employers must ensure any new Subclass 482 or 186 Visa applicants from 1 July 2026 are paid at least the new relevant income threshold.

We recommend reviewing planned nominations now to ensure they meet the new minimums.

Established in 1988, Interstaff has over 35 years of Australian visa and migration experience and provides strategic immigration advice to businesses and individuals Australia-wide and internationally. MARN: 0533879.