What Is the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR)?

The AMSR is the salary an equivalent Australian worker would receive for doing the same job, in the same location.

Meeting the income threshold alone is not enough. If the AMSR for the role is higher than the CSIT or SSIT, the employer must pay the higher amount.

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The AMSR is determined by assessing:

• What an equivalent Australian worker in the same business is paid

• Enterprise agreements or industrial awards that apply to the role

• Jobs and Skills Australia occupation and industry profiles

• Job advertisements for equivalent positions in the same location over the last 6 months

• Remuneration surveys or written advice from unions or employer associations

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How Employers Determine the AMSR

Where there is an equivalent Australian worker

The AMSR is what the employer is already paying that worker.

• If based on an enterprise agreement or industrial award: provide the name of the agreement or award as recorded by the Fair Work Commission, and the salary level or occupation group that applies

• If paying above the award rate or no award applies: provide copies of employment contracts and payslips for the equivalent Australian worker

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Important: An Australian worker who is more or less experienced than the nominee and does similar work at a different pay grade is not an equivalent worker. If the overseas worker will be paid less than the equivalent Australian worker, the nomination will be refused.

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Where there is no equivalent Australian worker but an enterprise agreement or industrial award applies

Provide the name of the agreement or award as recorded by the Fair Work Commission, and the salary level or occupation group that applies.

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Where there is no equivalent worker, agreement or award

The employer must determine the AMSR using at least two of the following:

• Jobs and Skills Australia occupation and industry profiles

• Job advertisements from the last 6 months for equivalent positions in the same location

• Remuneration surveys completed by a reputable organisation

• Written advice from unions or employer associations

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Providing only generic market salary data or salary surveys will result in the nomination being refused.

Frequently Asked Questions — 482 Visa Salary

What is the minimum salary for a 482 visa in 2026?

For the Core Skills stream, the minimum is AUD 76,515 per year for nominations lodged between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. For the Specialist Skills stream, the minimum is AUD 141,210 per year for the same period. You must also meet the AMSR — if the market rate is higher, the market rate applies.

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What is the CSIT?

The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is the minimum salary for the Core Skills stream of the 482 visa and for subclass 186 nominations lodged on or after 7 December 2024. It is currently AUD 76,515 per year (1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026) and is indexed annually from 1 July.

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What is the AMSR?

The Annual Market Salary Rate is the salary an equivalent Australian worker earns in the same role and location. Your employer must determine the AMSR correctly and pay you no less than that amount — even if the AMSR exceeds the income threshold.

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Does superannuation count toward the threshold?

No. The income threshold applies to the guaranteed annual earnings excluding non-monetary benefits. Superannuation, accommodation, car allowances and similar benefits do not count toward the CSIT or SSIT. Employers must pay these on top of the threshold amount.

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What happens if the salary doesn't meet the threshold?

The nomination will be refused. The Department will also refuse if the overseas worker will be paid less than an equivalent Australian worker, or if the employer provides only generic salary surveys without specific evidence.

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When do salary thresholds change?

Thresholds are indexed annually from 1 July each year. The threshold that applies is determined by when the nomination is lodged. If you lodge on or after 1 July, the new financial year's threshold applies.

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Does the CSIT apply to the 186 visa?

Yes. The CSIT applies to Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) nominations lodged on or after 7 December 2024.

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What is the TSMIT and does it apply to the 482 visa?

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) applies to the subclass 494 and subclass 187 visas — not to the 482 visa directly. The 482 visa uses the CSIT (Core Skills stream) or SSIT (Specialist Skills stream) instead.

How Salary Works for the 482 Visa

Every 482 visa nomination must satisfy salary rules set by the Department of Home Affairs. There are two separate conditions — both must be met at the same time.

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Condition 1 — Income Threshold Your salary must be no less than the income threshold for your stream. The threshold varies depending on whether you apply under the Core Skills stream or the Specialist Skills stream.

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Condition 2 — Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) Your salary must also match what an equivalent Australian worker earns in the same role, at the same location. If the market rate is higher than the income threshold, the market rate applies.

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The rule that applies to all nominations: If the annual salary is less than AUD 250,000, the employer must show they have determined the AMSR correctly, will not pay the overseas worker less than the AMSR, and that both the AMSR and the worker's pay (excluding non-monetary benefits) meets the relevant income threshold.

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Current Thresholds at a Glance

Thresholds are indexed annually from 1 July. The threshold that applies is determined by the date your employer lodges the nomination, not the date the visa is granted.

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Non-monetary benefits — such as accommodation or a car — do not count toward the threshold. The employer must pay these on top of the salary threshold.