Migration agency Konnecting has advised clients that visa application charges (VACs) and key income thresholds for employer-sponsored visas increased on 1 July 2026 – a change many HR teams overlooked until the agency’s detailed briefing yesterday. For the Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa the primary VAC has risen to AU$2,975, while the Employer Nomination Scheme (186) now costs AU$4,885. Secondary-applicant and dependent fees have also been indexed. At the same time, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) climbed from AU$70,000 to AU$73,150, and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold under the new 482 framework jumped to AU$146,576. Although the increases were gazetted earlier in the year, many sponsors deferred applications while waiting for the new processing directions. Konnecting cautions that budget approvals secured before 1 July may now be insufficient, particularly where multiple family members are included. The higher TSMIT also narrows the gap between market salary rates and the legal minimum, especially in regional areas where advertised wages are lower. Employers must still demonstrate that the nominated salary meets both the threshold and the ‘Australian Market Salary Rate’. Failure to do so is a common reason for refusal or lengthy requests for further information. Companies finalising offers to overseas hires should therefore re-run cost models and check that remuneration packages satisfy the updated rules before lodging nominations.
Source: Konnecting
