Confirmed! 2025 Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) Increase

Understanding the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) in 2025

The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is the updated salary benchmark for skilled visa applications under the subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Core Skills stream), subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Direct Entry), and subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa.

Starting 1 July 2025, the CSIT will increase to $76,515, in line with Australia’s new minimum wage and national earnings data. This change ensures that overseas skilled workers are compensated at a level equal to Australian market standards, maintaining fair treatment and labour market integrity.

What Is the Core Skills Income Threshold?

The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) refers to the minimum salary requirement for applicants being nominated under the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand 482 visa, 186 (Direct Entry) visa, and the 494 Regional Employer Sponsored visa. If your nominated occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), your employer must guarantee a salary at or above the CSIT at the time of nomination.

This threshold is reviewed annually and adjusted based on wage trends to ensure overseas workers are not underpaid compared to Australian employees in the same role.

CSIT 2025 Update: Salary Increase Confirmed

The CSIT will rise from $73,150 to $76,515 for nomination applications submitted between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. This 4.6% increase reflects both the latest Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) data and the national minimum wage increase of 3.5% announced by the Fair Work Commission.

Here’s a summary of the new CSIT rates:

• 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025: $73,150

• 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026: $76,515

Employers and applicants must ensure they meet the updated threshold when lodging applications from 1 July 2025 onwards.

CSOL and PR Pathways Through the 482 & 186 Visas

Occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) are eligible for employer sponsorship under the 482 Skills in Demand (Core Skills stream) and 186 Direct Entry visas.

Key points:

• CSOL occupations must meet or exceed the CSIT

• Many CSOL occupations provide a direct pathway to Permanent Residency (PR) through the 186 (Direct Entry) visa

• Meeting both the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and CSIT is required for nomination approval

To confirm if your occupation is eligible and understand the next steps, book a consultation with a registered migration agent.

Why the Core Skills Income Threshold Matters

For employers, complying with the CSIT is a legal requirement when nominating overseas workers under the 482, 186, or 494 visa programs. Offering a salary below the CSIT or below the AMSR will lead to application refusal.

For visa applicants, the CSIT ensures that the role being offered is genuine, fairly compensated, and aligned with Australian salary benchmarks. Lodging your application before the increase takes effect can be a strategic move, particularly if your current salary offer is just above the previous threshold.

Difference Between CSIT and SSIT

There are two distinct thresholds under the Skills in Demand program:

• CSIT ($76,515 from 1 July 2025) applies to roles on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

• SSIT ($141,210 from 1 July 2025) applies to roles under the Specialist Skills stream, which typically require higher expertise and responsibilities.

Applicants and employers must clearly identify which stream applies to the nominated occupation to determine the correct income threshold.

Core Skills Income Threshold 2025: Act Now to Stay Compliant

The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is a critical eligibility factor for skilled migration pathways in Australia. With the confirmed rise to $76,515 from 1 July 2025, now is the time for both employers and visa applicants to act. Ensure that salary offers meet both the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and the new CSIT to avoid delays or rejections.

Book a free consultation with our team to check your eligibility, understand your visa options, and get expert advice before the changes come into effect. Also check out our migration agent’s interview with SBS Filipino for insights on recent changes affecting Filipino applicants and skilled workers.

Book Consultation