Increase in Government application fees, Core Skills Income Threshold & Fair Work High Income Threshold
Government fees
As we predicted from the budget figures, the Government has increased visa fees between 4% and 25%.
The Government has also started to differentiate fees based on passport nationality by:
- reducing Student and Temporary Graduate visa fees for holders of passports from Pacific-regional countries
- reducing Student visa fees for certain ASEAN countries
- creating new fee structures for some visa streams
The new fees for the most commonly used visas are:
| Temporary visas | From 1 July 2026 |
| Skills in Demand – Subclass 482 main visa applicant | $4015 |
| Skills in Demand – Subclass 482 secondary applicant 18+ | $4015 |
| Skills in Demand – Subclass 482 secondary applicant u18 | $1005 |
| Temporary Work Visa – Subclass 400 | $535 |
| Bridging Visa B | $575 |
| Training Visa – Subclass 407 | $535 |
| Entertainment Visa – Subclass 408 | $535 |
| Permanent | From 1 July 2026 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme – Subclass 186 main applicant | $6140 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme – Subclass 186 secondary applicant 18+ | $3070 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme – Subclass 186 secondary applicant u18 | $1535 |
The nomination fee and Skilling Australians Fund Levy has remained the same. They have not been increased.
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
As a reminder, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase on 1 July 2026 to $79,423. New nomination applications from this date will need to meet the new threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
The CSIT for existing 482 visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2026 can remain at the rate as when lodged:
- $79,423 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.
- $76,515 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
- $73,150 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 7 December 2024 and 30 June 2025.
However, the earnings must still be reviewed and increased to meet the market rate if that is higher.
Labour Market Testing requiring a salary now needs to be for at least this new CSIT amount.
Specialist Skills Income Threshold
Skills in Demand visa (SID) (subclass 482) applications in the Specialist Skills stream must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT).
The SSIT for SID Specialist Skills Stream nomination applications is as follows:
- $146,576 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.
- $141,210 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
- $135,000 for Nomination applications lodged on and between 7 December 2024 and 30 June 2025.
FWHIT
The Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) has increased to $190,100.
The threshold is relevant to the age exemption under the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa. Applicants relying on this exemption to satisfy the under-45 age requirement must demonstrate earnings above the FWHIT for the relevant qualifying period.
English exemption for Intra-Company transfers
As at 1 July 2026, the guaranteed annual earnings threshold for the English language exemption for an intra-company transferee (ICT) under the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa remains $96,400. It has not been indexed in line with the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) or Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT).
EOFY staff reviews & visa holders
The new financial year means staff review time for a lot of businesses. It is an important reminder that 482 visa holders have been approved to work in their nominated occupations only.
While a promotion within the same occupational stream (and any associated salary increase) will generally comply with their 482 visa conditions, a move into a different role must be carefully considered and may require a new nomination or adjusted market rate. If a new role for a 482 visa holder would fall into a different occupation, a new 482 nomination and visa application will need to be lodged.
Please discuss any proposed role changes with your Ajuria adviser to ensure that your visa holders will continue to be compliant.
Employers are also reminded to ensure 482 visa holders are paid according to their approved salary and at the Australian market rate for the role.
DISCLAIMER This information is current as of 1 July 2026 and is subject to change with little notice. This publication is of a general nature only and should not be used as legal advice. To the extent permissible by law, Ajuria Lawyers and its associated entities shall not be liable for any errors, omissions, defects or misrepresentations in the information or for any loss or damage suffered by persons who use or rely on such information. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
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