Minimum salary for 482 visa: $79,499 from July 2026
The minimum salary for a 482 visa (Core Skills Stream) is $79,499 per year from 1 July 2026. See how this compares to the national earnings index and what it means for your take-ho
The minimum salary for a 482 visa (Core Skills Stream) is $79,499 per year from 1 July 2026, which sits at index 73.4, well below the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of $108,352.
Minimum salary for 482 visa: what it means for your pay
If you're an employer sponsoring a worker on a Subclass 482 visa, or a visa holder yourself, the first number you need to know is the minimum salary for 482 visa. From 1 July 2026, that figure is $79,499 per year for the Core Skills Stream. This is the base salary you must guarantee, before superannuation, and it must be at least equal to the market salary rate for the job.
Where does $79,499 sit on the national earnings index?
The Salary Index uses a benchmark of 100 for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports as $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. The 482 minimum of $79,499 gives an index of 73.4. That means it's about 26.6% below the national line. To put it in context, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2 ($52,255), so the 482 minimum is a step up from the legal floor but still well short of the average Australian full-time salary.
What the minimum salary for 482 visa actually covers
The $79,499 is the guaranteed annual earnings. It can include base salary, commissions, and other monetary allowances, but not non-monetary benefits like a car or housing. Superannuation is separate: from 1 July 2026 the super guarantee is 12%, so an employer must pay an extra $9,539.88 into the worker's super fund. That brings the total employment cost to $89,038.88.
Tax and take-home pay
For a resident earning $79,499 in 2026–27, the tax (excluding Medicare) is calculated as:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
- 30% on the next $34,499 ($10,349.70) Total tax: $14,369.70. Add the 2% Medicare levy ($1,589.98) gives total deductions of $15,959.68. Take-home pay is about $63,539.32 per year, or $1,221.91 per week. That's before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.
Market salary requirement: the real test
Meeting the minimum salary for 482 visa is necessary but not sufficient. The Department of Home Affairs requires that the salary be at least equal to the market salary rate for an Australian worker doing the same job in the same location. For example, a software developer in Sydney might have a market rate of $110,000, well above the $79,499 floor. If you offer only the minimum, the application could be refused. Always check the market rate for the occupation and location.
How the 482 minimum compares across states and industries
Because the market salary requirement varies, the actual salary paid to a 482 visa holder can differ a lot. The states page shows that average earnings range from index 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT. A 482 visa holder in a high-earning state like Western Australia (index 106.9) might need a salary closer to $115,825 to meet the market rate. Similarly, industries like mining (index 154.7) often pay well above the 482 minimum, while retail (index 75.9) might be closer to the floor.
Specialist Skills Stream: a higher bar
If the occupation is highly skilled and the salary is $146,717 or more, the 482 visa can be lodged under the Specialist Skills Stream. That threshold (index 135.4) is well above the national line. For those roles, the minimum salary for 482 visa is much higher, but the processing may be faster.
Planning for the future
The minimum salary for 482 visa is indexed each year to AWOTE. The 3.8% increase from 1 July 2026 means employers should factor in future rises. If you're nominating a worker after 30 June 2026, you'll need to meet the new threshold. The how the index works page explains how the national line moves with AWOTE.
Super and the total package
Remember that the 482 minimum is before super. With 12% super, the total cost to the employer is $89,038.88. For the worker, that super is in addition to the salary and is preserved until retirement (subject to the $270,830 maximum contribution base). Some employers offer salary sacrifice arrangements, but the base salary must still meet the threshold.
Bottom line
The minimum salary for 482 visa is $79,499 from July 2026, index 73.4. It's a floor, not a target. Most sponsored workers will be paid more to meet the market salary rate. Use the topics page for more on visa salary requirements, or check the pay guides for award rates that may apply to your industry.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum salary for a 482 visa in 2026–27?
From 1 July 2026, the minimum annual earnings for the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa (Core Skills Stream) is $79,499. This is the base salary before superannuation. The Specialist Skills Stream has a higher threshold of $146,717. These amounts are indexed each year in line with AWOTE.
Does the 482 visa minimum salary include superannuation?
No. The minimum annual earnings threshold for the 482 visa excludes superannuation. Employers must pay the 12% super guarantee on top of the base salary. For a $79,499 salary, that means an additional $9,539.88 in super, making the total employment cost $89,038.88.
How does the 482 minimum compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year (index 48.2). The 482 minimum of $79,499 is about 52% higher than the national minimum wage. However, many award-covered roles pay above the national minimum, and the 482 visa also requires the salary to meet the market rate for the occupation.