482 minimum salary: how awards and the national minimum wage set the floor for temporary skilled visa holders
The 482 minimum salary isn't a single figure. It depends on the occupation's award rate or the national minimum wage. We explain how awards compare and where your pay sits on the s
There is no fixed 482 minimum salary; the sponsor must pay at least the award rate for the occupation or the national minimum wage, whichever is higher. The salary index helps compare any figure to the national line of $108,352.
What is the 482 minimum salary?
If you're on a Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa, or you're an employer sponsoring someone, the question of minimum pay comes up quickly. The short answer is that there is no single dollar figure labelled "482 minimum salary". Instead, the law ties the minimum to what an Australian worker in the same job would earn. That means you need to look at the relevant modern award or, if no award covers the role, the national minimum wage.
The Fair Work Ombudsman makes this clear: your sponsor must provide you with equivalent pay to that of any Australian employee who has the same occupation in your workplace. The Department of Home Affairs also requires the nominated salary to meet market salary rates. So the 482 minimum salary is really a moving target that depends on your occupation, your employer's workplace agreements, and the award that covers your role.
Awards versus the national minimum wage
Australia's workplace relations system has two main layers: the National Employment Standards (NES) and modern awards. The NES set minimum conditions like maximum weekly hours, leave, and the national minimum wage. Modern awards sit on top and provide higher minimum pay and conditions for specific industries or occupations.
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week ($52,255 annualised). On the Salary Index, that's an index of 48.2, meaning it's just under half the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of $108,352. But most 482 visa holders work in skilled occupations that are covered by a modern award. For example, a registered nurse is covered by the Nurses Award, a chef by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award, and a software engineer by the Professional Employees Award. These awards set minimum hourly rates well above the national minimum wage. Award minima rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, so the gap between award rates and the national minimum wage has widened.
If your occupation isn't covered by any award, the national minimum wage is the floor. However, the Fair Work Ombudsman notes that your sponsor must still pay you the equivalent of an Australian employee doing the same work. That means if the market rate for your role is higher than the award or the national minimum wage, the sponsor must pay that market rate.
How the salary index applies to 482 visa holders
The salary index is a simple way to see where a pay figure sits against the national line. The index is calculated as your yearly gross salary divided by the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352) multiplied by 100. An index of 100 means you earn exactly the national average for full-time adults.
Let's take a hypothetical 482 visa holder working as a software engineer. If their salary is $90,000, the index is 83.1. That's above the national minimum wage index (48.2) but below the average. If they work in mining, where the industry index is 154.7, a $90,000 salary would be below the industry average. The index helps you compare your pay across states and industries. For instance, the states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A 482 visa holder in WA might expect higher pay than one in Tasmania for the same role.
Practical considerations for 482 visa holders
Your employer must also comply with the Fair Work Act in other ways. You are entitled to the National Employment Standards, including paid annual leave, sick leave, and superannuation. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, and your employer must pay it on top of your salary. Tax is withheld at resident rates: for 2026–27, the tax-free threshold is $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. Your take-home pay will be lower than the gross figure.
If you believe your employer is not paying the correct 482 minimum salary, you can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman. They provide free advice and can investigate. Your visa won't be cancelled for making a complaint.
Where to find the right award rate
To find the exact minimum for your occupation, start with the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides or use their online tool to find your award. You'll need your classification level and any applicable allowances. Remember that the 482 minimum salary is not a fixed number – it's the award rate for your classification, or the market rate if higher. The industries page on Salary Index can give you a sense of typical pay ranges for your sector, but always check the official award.
In summary, the 482 minimum salary is determined by the award that covers your occupation, or the national minimum wage if no award applies. The salary index helps you benchmark any figure against the national average. Use the resources from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to understand where your pay sits.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum salary for a 482 visa in 2026?
There is no single minimum salary for all 482 visa holders. The sponsor must pay at least the rate that an Australian employee in the same occupation would receive at that workplace. That rate is usually set by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. If no award applies, the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) is the floor. The Department of Home Affairs also requires the salary to be consistent with market rates for the occupation.
Does the national minimum wage apply to 482 visa holders?
Yes, the national minimum wage applies to all employees in Australia, including 482 visa holders, unless a modern award or enterprise agreement sets a higher rate. The Fair Work Ombudsman enforces this. However, most skilled occupations covered by the 482 visa are also covered by a modern award that pays above the national minimum wage. For example, a software engineer would likely be covered by the Professional Employees Award, which has higher minimum rates.
How does the 482 minimum salary compare to the average Australian salary?
The average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in Australia is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year) as of May 2026. A 482 visa holder in a skilled occupation might earn near or above that average, depending on the industry. For instance, the mining industry has an index of 154.7 (well above average), while retail trade is 75.9. The salary index can help compare any 482 salary to the national line: divide the annual gross salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100.