Salary requirements are one of the most important β and most misunderstood β aspects of the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa. Getting the salary wrong can result in nomination refusal, sponsor penalties, or even visa cancellation after grant.
This guide explains the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), the market salary rate obligation, stream-specific requirements, and what both employers and workers need to know about 482 visa salary rules in 2026.
At Magpie Consultants, Umar Ashraf (MARN 2619222) advises both employers and workers on salary compliance for employer-sponsored visas.
Salary thresholds are updated annually. Verify current TSMIT and thresholds at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.
The Two Salary Requirements Every 482 Must Meet
Every 482 visa nomination must satisfy two salary requirements simultaneously β not just one:
- Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) β the national minimum salary floor for all 482 nominations
- Market salary rate β the salary must be at or above what an equivalent Australian worker would be paid for the same role in the same location
The sponsored worker must be paid whichever of these two figures is higher. If the market rate for a role in a particular location is $95,000 but TSMIT is $73,150, the employer must pay at least $95,000.
What Is the TSMIT in 2026?
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is the minimum annual salary that must be paid to a 482 sponsored worker. As of July 2024, TSMIT was set at $73,150 per annum.
The TSMIT is reviewed annually and may be updated on 1 July each year. The current TSMIT is published at homeaffairs.gov.au β always verify the current figure before lodging a nomination.
TSMIT is a floor, not a target. If the market rate for your occupation is higher than $73,150, the market rate applies.
What Is the Market Salary Rate?
The market salary rate is what an equivalent Australian worker (with similar qualifications, experience, and in the same location) would be paid for the same role. The employer must demonstrate this through:
- Salary benchmarking data (from sources like SEEK Salary Insights, ABS Wage Price Index, or industry salary surveys)
- Enterprise agreements or awards that cover the role
- Evidence of what the employer pays comparable Australian employees in similar roles
Key rule: A 482 sponsored worker cannot be paid less than an Australian doing the same job at the same employer. This prevents the 482 visa from being used as a mechanism to undercut Australian wages.
Specialist Skills Stream: Higher Salary Threshold
The Specialist Skills stream of the 482 does not use an occupation list β instead, it is available for workers with highly specialised skills who meet a higher income threshold. As of 2026, the Specialist Skills income threshold is approximately $135,000 per annum (verify current threshold at homeaffairs.gov.au).
For roles paying above this threshold, the occupation does not need to be on the Core Skills Occupation List β the high salary is itself the qualifying criterion.
What Counts Towards the Salary Threshold?
The salary counted toward TSMIT and market rate is the base salary β typically the fixed annual remuneration before bonuses, overtime, or allowances. However, certain guaranteed monetary benefits may be included:
| Counts Towards Threshold | Does NOT Count |
|---|---|
| Base salary / annual fixed pay | Performance bonuses (discretionary) |
| Guaranteed overtime payments | Non-guaranteed overtime |
| Some guaranteed allowances | Superannuation contributions |
| Salary packaging components (some cases) | Commission (unless guaranteed) |
Note: Superannuation is NOT counted toward the salary threshold. A salary of $65,000 + super does not satisfy a $73,150 TSMIT β the $73,150 base salary must be met before super is added on top.
What If the Employer Can’t Afford TSMIT?
If the salary that would be paid for the role does not meet TSMIT, the role is not eligible for a 482 nomination. The employer cannot nominate a worker for a role that pays below the threshold β there are no exceptions to TSMIT (other than occupations with specific award rates assessed differently, which is rare).
Options for employers whose roles fall below TSMIT:
- Increase the salary to meet TSMIT if the business can support it
- Look at whether the role qualifies under a different classification at a higher rate
- Consider whether an employee-in-training arrangement (407 Training Visa) is appropriate for lower-paid supervised roles
Salary Compliance After Visa Grant: Ongoing Obligation
The salary obligation does not end at visa grant β it is an ongoing sponsor obligation. If the employer reduces the sponsored worker’s salary below TSMIT or market rate after grant, this is a breach of sponsor obligations and can result in:
- A formal warning from the Department
- Financial penalties
- Cancellation of sponsorship approval
- Visa cancellation for the worker
Workers who believe they are being paid below the required rate should contact the Department’s tip-off line. Workers are protected from visa cancellation as a result of reporting salary underpayment by their sponsor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum salary for a 482 visa in Australia?
The minimum is the higher of (a) the current TSMIT ($73,150 per annum as of 2024 β verify the current figure) or (b) the market salary rate for the role in the location. If the market rate for the occupation in your city is higher than TSMIT, the market rate must be paid.
Does superannuation count toward the 482 visa salary requirement?
No. Superannuation contributions are not counted toward the TSMIT or market rate. The base salary must meet the threshold. A package of $65,000 + 11.5% super does not satisfy a $73,150 TSMIT.
What is the Specialist Skills salary threshold?
The Specialist Skills stream requires salary at or above approximately $135,000 per annum (check the current threshold at homeaffairs.gov.au). At this income level, the occupation does not need to be on the Core Skills Occupation List.
Can an employer pay a 482 worker less than an Australian doing the same job?
No β this is explicitly prohibited. The market salary rate obligation requires that 482 workers are paid the same as, or more than, equivalent Australian workers in the same role at the same employer. The 482 cannot be used to undercut Australian wages.
What happens if an employer pays a 482 worker below the required salary?
This is a breach of sponsor obligations. The Department can issue warnings, impose financial penalties, cancel sponsorship approval, or cancel the worker’s visa. Workers who are underpaid can report this to the Department and are protected from visa consequences for doing so.
Is TSMIT going up in 2026?
TSMIT is reviewed annually on 1 July. It has increased each year in recent years. Check homeaffairs.gov.au for the current figure β the $73,150 figure in this article was set in July 2024 and may have been updated since publication.
Key Takeaways
- Two salary rules apply simultaneously β TSMIT floor AND market salary rate. Pay whichever is higher.
- Current TSMIT is $73,150 (verify annually β updated each July 1).
- Superannuation is NOT counted toward the TSMIT β base salary must meet the threshold.
- Specialist Skills stream requires ~$135,000+ and does not require the occupation to be on the CSOL.
- Underpaying a 482 worker is a serious breach β workers are protected from retaliation for reporting salary underpayment.
Questions About 482 Visa Salary? Contact Magpie Consultants
Salary compliance is both a legal obligation and a practical concern. Whether you are an employer structuring a salary package or a worker checking whether you are being paid correctly, Magpie Consultants can advise.
At Magpie Consultants, Umar Ashraf (MARN 2619222) assists employers and workers with 482 visa compliance. We advise in English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi.
- Book a consultation: magpieconsultants.com.au/book-appointment
- Location: Office 3, 8/10 Childs Road, Epping VIC 3076, Melbourne
Related Articles
- Subclass 482 Visa Australia: Complete Requirements Guide 2026
- Skills in Demand Visa Occupation List 2026: Core Skills Stream
- How to Become an Approved Business Sponsor in Australia
- 482 Employer Lost Sponsorship: What Happens to Your Visa?
DISCLAIMER: Salary thresholds are updated annually. Verify the current TSMIT at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging. This is general information only. Umar Ashraf β MARN 2619222 β verify at mara.gov.au.
Umar Ashraf
MARA Registered Migration Agent & Education Consultant | MARA #2619222 | Epping, Melbourne VIC
Umar Ashraf is a MARA-registered migration agent specialising in complex cases, visa cancellations, ART tribunal appeals, and employer sponsorship. He provides consultations in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
