For nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is $79,423. CSIT is the operative name for the threshold historically known as TSMIT — the “temporary skilled migration income threshold” set under regulation 5.42A of the Migration Regulations 1994. Since the Skills in Demand framework commenced on 7 December 2024, TSMIT has been paired with a second, higher threshold — the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) — which applies only to the 482 Specialist Skills stream.
The three thresholds you’ll see in employer-sponsored migration
| Threshold | 2026-27 | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| CSIT — Core Skills Income Threshold (a.k.a. TSMIT) | $79,423 | 482 Core Skills, 186 (all streams), 494 |
| SSIT — Specialist Skills Income Threshold | $141,210 (2025-26; 2026-27 to be republished by DOHA) | 482 Specialist Skills |
| FWHIT — Fair Work High Income Threshold | $190,100 (from 1 July 2026; was $183,100 for 2025-26) | 186 Direct Entry age waiver, 482 age and English concessions, some state-nomination pathways for the 858 NIV |
CSIT indexation is automatic under reg 5.42A, driven by the November Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings release from the ABS. SSIT is set by legislative instrument (currently LIN 24/097) rather than auto-indexed, so its 2026-27 figure lands separately. FWHIT sits outside the Migration Regulations altogether — it’s published each year by the Fair Work Commission.
What counts as “earnings” for the threshold test
The threshold is tested against base earnings, calculated the same way the Fair Work Act 2009 defines it (via reg 2.57A of the Migration Regulations, closely modelled on s 332 of the FW Act). In short:
- Compulsory employer superannuation is excluded. A “$79,423 total package including super” is not $79,423 for CSIT purposes — it’s roughly $70,914 in cash once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is stripped out.
- Guaranteed contractual amounts count (fixed annual bonuses, guaranteed overtime, agreed money-value of non-monetary benefits).
- Discretionary and variable amounts don’t count (bonuses expressed as “up to $X”, variable commission, ad-hoc overtime, reimbursements).
For the full worked examples — including how a $79,423 “package inclusive of super” fails the threshold and a $79,423 “base plus super” clears it — see Is super included in 482 visa salary? CSIT, SSIT and FWHIT explained.
Historical progression
| Financial year | Threshold | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | $79,423 | Current — reg 5.42A indexation, effective 1 July 2026 |
| 2025-26 | $76,515 | Previous |
| 2024-25 | $73,150 | First indexation after the reset |
| 2023-24 | $70,000 | Reset from $53,900 as part of the Migration Strategy reforms |
| Pre-July 2023 | $53,900 | Frozen 2013–2023 |
The 2013–2023 freeze is why some older commentary still cites $53,900. That figure has not been current since 1 July 2023.
Where each threshold shows up in visa criteria
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand — Core Skills stream: nominated annual earnings must be at or above CSIT and at or above the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the occupation.
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand — Specialist Skills stream: nominated annual earnings must be at or above SSIT and at or above AMSR.
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (all streams): CSIT applies as the salary floor; AMSR applies as the market test.
- Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme: closed to new applications, but CSIT rules continue to apply to existing pipeline.
- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional: CSIT plus AMSR.
- Subclass 189 (New Zealand stream): the applicant must have earned at or above the TSMIT-equivalent income figure for each of the 5 years before applying.
- Subclass 491 → 191 pathway: the 491 holder must have earned at or above the TSMIT-equivalent figure for 3 years before applying for the 191 permanent visa.
The 7 December 2024 terminology change
Prior to 7 December 2024, TSMIT was a single threshold that applied across the employer-sponsored program. When the Skills in Demand framework replaced the old TSS 482 short-term / medium-term structure, the single threshold became two:
- CSIT (Core Skills Income Threshold) took over the everyday role for the 482 Core Skills stream, all 186 streams, and the 494. It is set at the same figure as the TSMIT — currently $79,423 for 2026-27.
- SSIT (Specialist Skills Income Threshold) is a separate, higher threshold that gates the 482 Specialist Skills stream. It was introduced at $135,000 for 2024-25 and rose to $141,210 for 2025-26. The 2026-27 figure has not yet been republished in the amending instrument as at 1 July 2026.
“TSMIT” survives as the legal term under regulation 5.42A. Where a contract, PAM3 entry, or older commentary refers to TSMIT, read it as CSIT unless the role sits in the Specialist Skills stream, in which case SSIT is the binding floor.
Where to look next
- Deep-dive on super and earnings mechanics: Is super included in 482 visa salary? CSIT, SSIT and FWHIT explained covers reg 2.57A, s 332 of the FW Act, worked examples, and a pre-lodgement contract checklist.
- 189 New Zealand stream income test: Skilled Independent 189 — New Zealand stream walks through the 5-year TSMIT-linked income requirement for NZ citizens.
- 491 → 191 pathway income requirement: Skilled Work Regional 491 — State/Territory Nominated covers the 3-year income record needed to convert to a permanent 191.
- National Innovation Visa (858) and FWHIT context: National Innovation Visa (858) guide explains where FWHIT sits as a desirable — not mandatory — indicator.
Get advice before you lodge
If you’re preparing a 482, 186 or 494 nomination and want a second set of eyes on the salary structure before it lands with the Department, book a consultation. WiseKangaroo migration agents are MARA-registered and review contract wording at the offer-letter stage so structural issues never make it into a refusal.
Current as of 1 July 2026. Next scheduled indexation: 1 July 2027 (CSIT via reg 5.42A). SSIT and FWHIT are published on separate cycles. Always verify the live figures with the Department of Home Affairs and the Fair Work Commission before lodging.
