Australia Announces Skilled Visa Salary Increases and Opens 2026 Work and Holiday Visa Ballots

Australia Announces Skilled Visa Salary Increases and Opens 2026 Work and Holiday Visa Ballots

Australia has introduced two significant immigration updates for 2026, affecting both skilled workers and young travelers seeking opportunities in the country.

Skilled Visa Salary Thresholds to Increase from 1 July 2026

The Australian Government has confirmed that new salary thresholds for employer-sponsored skilled visas will take effect from 1 July 2026. The changes are part of the annual indexation process designed to ensure that skilled migrant wages align with growth in earnings for Australians. 

Under the updated framework:

• The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from AUD $76,515 to AUD $79,499.
• The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will rise from AUD $141,210 to AUD $146,717.
• The revised thresholds will apply to new nomination applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026 across several employer-sponsored visa categories, including the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) and regional employer-sponsored programs. 

Employers sponsoring overseas workers will need to ensure nominated positions meet the new salary requirements or the relevant market salary rate, whichever is higher. Applications submitted before the implementation date will continue to be assessed under the current thresholds. 

Australian Work and Holiday Visa Ballots Open for China, India and Vietnam

Australia has opened registrations for the popular working holiday visa, inviting thousands of Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese citizens to apply. The ballot registration period runs for three weeks, from 4 June to 25 June 2026. 

The 2026–27 Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa ballot, providing eligible young adults from China, India, and Vietnam with the opportunity to live, work, and travel in Australia. 

Eligible applicants must first enter the ballot system, after which successful candidates will be randomly selected and invited to lodge a visa application during the program year. 

The ballot process was introduced to manage high demand for the Work and Holiday visa program and applies only to first-time applicants from the participating countries. Those selected will have the opportunity to experience Australia while undertaking short-term employment and travel. 

There’s one week left to enter into the ballot. If you need support with your application, reach out to a global immigration lawyer today.

How Can IAS Help?

The team at IAS are experts when it comes to immigration and global mobility matters. No matter your immigration goals, our team can help you understand your eligibility and process, as well as make an application.

Reach out to the IAS team to learn more about visiting, working, and living in the Australia, or elsewhere around the world, and how we can help with a US visa application. Contact us at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or online to find out more.