As the end of the financial year nears and Australia gears up for a federal election, it’s more important than ever for employers to stay ahead of immigration policy changes—especially those relying on skilled international workers.
Here’s a clear breakdown of key updates from the Department of Home Affairs, and practical steps you can take to keep your workforce plans on track.
Key Update: Skilled Visa Salary Thresholds Set to Rise from 1 July 2025
The Australian Government will introduce a 4.6% increase to the salary thresholds for employer-sponsored skilled visas, effective 1 July 2025.
New minimum salary levels:
- Core Skills Threshold (CSIT): Going from $73,150 to $76,515
- Specialist Skills Threshold (SSIT): Rising from $135,000 to $141,210
- TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold): Also increasing to $76,515 (pending final sign-off)
Note: These thresholds are exclusive of superannuation, which will rise from 11.5% to 12%.
Breaking Down CSIT and SSIT
These salary benchmarks define the least an employer can offer to a sponsored skilled visa holder. They are separate from what’s considered a market salary for a given role.
- CSIT applies broadly to visas like:
- Subclass 482: Temporary Skill Shortage
- Subclass 494: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
- Subclass 186: Employer Nomination Scheme
- SSIT applies to specialised, high-earning positions under the 482 visa’s Specialist Skills stream. It is not linked to an occupation list.
All new role offers made on or after 1 July 2025 must align with the updated salary thresholds.
Application Fees and Submission Timing
Visa fees typically rise each year on 1 July. To minimise extra costs and avoid delays, businesses should submit applications as early as possible.
End-of-financial-year bottlenecks are common, and early action helps you avoid the rush.
Labour Market Testing: Get Ahead
To stay compliant, complete the 28-day advertising period early. Begin job ads now to beat the July deadline—advertising too late in May or June may not leave enough time.
Visa Demand Surge: Record 482 Activity
Between December 2024 and February 2025, more than 3,000 employer-sponsored visa applications were submitted each week—a 60%+ increase from the previous year. This has led to widespread processing delays.
Compliance in Focus: Know Your Role
The Department is intensifying checks on sponsor conduct, especially for accredited employers. Accurate job titles and pay rates are under the microscope.
If your business needs guidance adjusting to these changes or preparing job ads that meet the new salary criteria, get in touch with our team for tailored advice and support.