Important changes ahead for employer-sponsored visas – Preparation is key!

With annual salary threshold indexation, anticipated Department of Home Affairs fee increases, and ongoing processing delays across the subclass 482 and 186 visa programs, employers sponsoring overseas workers should be reviewing their workforce plans well ahead of 1 July 2026.

This update outlines the key changes coming, what they mean for employers, and practical steps you can take now to manage costs, maintain compliance, and support your sponsored workforce.

The core skills income threshold (CSIT) and the specialist skills income threshold (SSIT) are automatically indexed each year for the subclass 482 and 186 visa programs. These increases take effect on the 1st July each year. Last week the ABS released the data which is used to calculate the salary thresholds.

From 1 July 2026 the thresholds will be:

• CSIT – $79,499 (currently $76,515). This threshold is for the Core Skills stream of the subclass 482 visa and subclass 186 employer nominated permanent visa.
• SSIT – $146,717 (currently $141,210). This threshold applies to the Specialist Skills stream of the subclass 482 visa.

These updates will apply to all subclass 482 and 186 visa applications lodged on or after 1^st July 2026.

For Australian employers sponsoring overseas workers under the subclass 482 or 186 visa programs the minimum salary from 1^st July 2026 will be $79,499 per annum excluding superannuation. It also excludes overtime, bonuses, commissions unless these amounts are contractually agreed in advance and non-monetary benefits. Employers must now reassess budgets and financial forecasts and consider how they manage the associated costs and compliance risks.

If you have any upcoming visa renewals or new hires that need to be sponsored, we recommend planning in advance to ensure you lodge your application before the increase or are prepared to meet the new salary minimums from 1^st July 2026 for any new applications.

Nominations submitted before this date but not yet approved and existing visa holders won’t be affected by these changes. Employers should anticipate how this increase might impact future applications, especially for supporting an employee for permanent residence under the subclass 186 visa.

As we near the close of the FY26 financial year, we expect fee increases to the lodgement fees for certain subclasses of visas. As usual the subclass 482 and 186 visa lodgement fees are likely to increase.

Once we know more about the fees, we will share an update with you. However, if you have any applications that require lodgement prior to 30^th June 2026, please ensure you leave enough time to have these prepared and lodged before the fee increases.

April, May and June are the busiest time of the year for lodgements leading up to the salary thresholds and DOHA fee increases on 1^st July. The ImmiAccount can become congested during this period, so please allow enough time for lodgement, and any mandatory labour market testing if applicable.

Since before December 2025 we have noticed a slow-down in processing of bridging visa B (BVB) and C (BVC) applications. The Department of Home Affairs have also advised to allow at least three to four weeks processing (some processing can take up to three months) of BVB applications. Unless there is a critical need for the visa holder to travel overseas, this visa processing won’t be expedited, so please ensure your bridging visa A holders are allowing enough time for their BVB applications to be prepared, lodged and approved before they travel overseas. The BVB cannot be granted while they are overseas. If they leave while holding the BVA they will not be able to return unless they apply for another visa or wait out the approval of the visa they have lodged.

On a positive note, we have seen BVBs being granted for at least a year, some up to 5 years depending on the visa applied for. While this is good news and means if the visa holder needs to travel frequently, they should only need to apply for their BVB once, it also shows that there are significant delays in the processing of applications at present.

Here are some reasons behind the delays, and how you can best manage lead times and set expectations internally as well as with your employee.

Reasons for delays

1. Volume of applications – a very high demand for the subclass 482 program. 36% increase from 23/24 to 24/25 program years. Currently 55,000 subclass 482 applications on hand with 10% being TSS. Current subclass 186 pipeline is 60,000+ with only 44,000 available places each year (demand outstripping availability).
2. Completeness of applications – The Department continue to receive incomplete applications which significantly delays the processing times for review of applications. Please ensure if you are lodging applications yourself that these are complete and decision ready.
3. Ministerial Directions – focus on key industries and locations for priority processing such as designated regional areas, healthcare or teaching, nominated by an accredited sponsor. If you don’t fall within the directions for priority processing the standard processing times will be longer.

What can you do?

1. Plan and have genuine conversations up front with your managers and the new candidate that this process is going to take at least 6 to 8 months before you arrive in Australia. Ensure they don’t leave their jobs or sell their homes until their visas are in hand. Provide regular updates.
2. Lodge complete and decision ready applications.
3. There may be other visa options available to the candidate that would allow them to work temporarily while considering the subclass 482 and 186 visa options. Look at the best strategy for the business.
4. If you are aware of the need for further head count or new vacancies are opening up in your business in the coming months, consider your workforce needs and how you will fill these roles. If some of these roles are to be filled with overseas workers, is there enough lead time to have their visa in hand before they can commence work?

If you would like assistance reviewing your current sponsored workforce, planning upcoming nominations or visa renewals, or developing a clear strategy under the evolving subclass 482 and 186 frameworks, please contact our team for tailored advice.

We are here to help you plan ahead and navigate these changes with confidence!