Minimum salary requirements for Subclass 482 and 186 Visas increase from July 1 2026

Minimum salary requirements for Subclass 482 and 186 Visas increase from July 1 2026

From 1 July 2026, the minimum salary requirements for Australia’s key employer-sponsored visas will increase under the government’s automatic annual indexation of income thresholds. For Approved Sponsors in the hospitality industry, this is a timely prompt to review current remuneration, budgeting, and nomination planning, particularly for roles such as Chefs and Cooks, which sit under the Core Skills stream.

What is changing from 1 July 2026

The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will rise from AUD $76,515 to AUD $79,499 for Subclass 482 Skills in Demand and Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme applications lodged after 1 July 2026.

That is an increase of 3.9%.

For hospitality businesses, the practical takeaway is simple. If you are planning to nominate a Chef or Cook after 1 July 2026, the offered salary package must meet the new threshold (and also remain compliant with any applicable industrial instrument).

Why this matters for hospitality sponsors

For many venues and hospitality groups, sponsored roles are not “set and forget.” Rosters change, responsibilities evolve, and market wages move quickly, especially in high-demand kitchens.

Minimum salary threshold increases can affect:

• Budgeting for new nominations in FY26–27
• Timing decisions on whether to lodge nominations before or after 1 July
• Offer letters and employment contracts for sponsored staff
• Internal approvals for headcount and remuneration
• Compliance confidence if your payroll settings are close to the line

In short, this is a planning issue as much as it is a visa issue.

Threshold increases and award increases are not the same thing

It’s important to separate the two different moving parts:

• The CSIT increase is an immigration threshold that sets a minimum salary level for relevant employer-sponsored visas.
• The award increase is an industrial relations outcome that can lift minimum rates of pay under the relevant award.

While the CSIT increase is 3.9%, the award increase may be above 4%. That means some businesses may need to adjust wages for award compliance even more than what the immigration threshold alone would suggest.

Once the award increase is published, we will advise on the updated rates and what they mean for hospitality sponsors.

Does this affect existing visa holders or applications already lodged

No. This change does not apply retrospectively.

• Visa applications lodged before 1 July 2026 are not impacted by the new CSIT figure.
• The higher threshold applies only to new nominations lodged after 1 July 2026.

That said, sponsors should still keep an eye on ongoing obligations and ensure remuneration remains compliant with the role, the market, and the relevant industrial instrument.

What hospitality sponsors should do now?

If you anticipate sponsoring Chefs or Cooks in the coming months, a small amount of preparation now can prevent delays later.

Consider the following steps:

1. Review planned nominations for FY26–27 and identify which ones may fall after 1 July 2026.
2. Check salary packaging to ensure the proposed base salary and total remuneration will meet the new CSIT.
3. Watch for award updates and be ready to adjust pay rates once published.
4. Align internal timelines so decision-makers understand the cost impact of lodging after 1 July.
5. Get advice before lodging if your proposed salary is close to the threshold or if the role has variable hours, allowances, or penalty rates that need careful structuring.

Getting it right matters

Meeting the minimum salary requirement is a foundational part of a successful nomination. If the salary does not meet the relevant threshold, it can lead to delays, additional information requests, or refusal – creating unnecessary disruption for your business and your sponsored employee.

If you would like us to review your planned nominations and salary settings ahead of 1 July 2026, we can help you confirm the best approach and timing for your applications.