Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
Minimum salary for most SID Core Skills and 186 nominations. Around AUD $73,150 in 2026. Applied as a floor regardless of market rate.
CSIT · SSIT · AMSR · 2026 Thresholds
What salary do I need to pay?
Salary compliance is handled by Brian Park and Sourabh Aggarwal for Brisbane, Darwin, Gold Coast employers across 186 and 494 nominations. Employer sponsored visas in 2026 require meeting two salary tests: the legislated income threshold (CSIT or SSIT) AND the Annual Market Salary Rate. Both matter. Here is what each requires and how they interact.
The two salary tests
CSIT/SSIT and AMSR.
Two separate tests both apply. Meeting one does not exclude the other.
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)
For SID Specialist Skills stream. Much higher: around AUD $135,000+. Opens occupation flexibility but requires high pay.
Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR)
The market salary for the specific role in the specific location. Sponsor must pay at least AMSR regardless of legislated thresholds.
Both tests always apply
Meeting CSIT/SSIT is necessary but not sufficient. The AMSR must also be met. If AMSR is higher than CSIT, AMSR governs.
How AMSR is determined
Market rate evidence.
AMSR is evidence-based. The sponsor demonstrates the market rate through specific data sources.
Job postings and market surveysComparable job postings in the same location and industry. Salary surveys (Hays, Robert Half, SEEK) for the role and location.
Enterprise agreementsIf an enterprise agreement covers the role, the EA rate is usually the AMSR floor.
Internal salary comparisonsExisting Australian staff in similar roles at the business. Salary must be comparable or higher.
Specific Fair Work instrumentsModern awards and other Fair Work instruments apply for some occupations.
Common salary issues
Three compliance gaps.
Salary-related refusals often follow identifiable patterns.
Package vs base salary
CSIT/SSIT is based on base salary, not total package. Superannuation and non-cash benefits usually excluded.
AMSR evidence thin
Nominations that assert AMSR without evidence face challenges. Documented market evidence matters.
Hours worked consideration
Part-time roles are assessed on pro-rata basis. The CSIT applies as if full-time equivalent.
The CSIT is updated regularly.
Check current CSIT at time of nomination. Roughly AUD $73,150 as of 2026 but updated periodically. Under-paying even slightly below the current CSIT causes nomination refusal. AMSR evidence standards also continue to evolve.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For salary compliance, book with Brian Park.
Does superannuation count toward the salary threshold?
Generally no. Thresholds are based on base salary. Superannuation is additional, not part of the threshold calculation.
What if AMSR is lower than CSIT for the role?
CSIT still applies. Sponsor must pay at least CSIT even if market rate is lower. CSIT is the floor.
Can I include bonuses in the salary?
Contracted regular bonuses may count. Discretionary bonuses generally do not. Depends on specific arrangement.
What if the worker accepts less than AMSR?
Worker acceptance does not override the AMSR requirement. Department can refuse nomination if salary is below AMSR.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.