Understanding 482 visa salary requirements
The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas. One key requirement is that the salary offered must meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), set by the Department of Home Affairs. The TSMIT is a minimum annual salary that ensures sponsored workers are paid fairly and do not undercut local labour conditions.
Where does the TSMIT sit against the national average?
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the benchmark used on this site. The TSMIT is typically set below this average. For example, recent adjustments have placed it around $70,000–$73,000, though the precise current figure is not available from the provided sources. This means many 482 visa roles fall below the national full-time average, but they must still meet the TSMIT and any applicable award or market salary rate.
Comparing to other benchmarks
For context, the full-time median earnings are about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). The TSMIT is higher than the minimum wage but often below the full-time median. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, which may affect some sponsored roles.
What moves a 482 salary above or below the average?
Several factors can push a sponsored salary above or below the national average:
- Occupation: Skilled occupations in high demand, such as software engineers or registered nurses, often command salaries above the TSMIT and sometimes above the average. Lower-skilled occupations may sit closer to the threshold.
- Location: State averages vary significantly. For example, the full-time average in Western Australia is about $115,825, while Tasmania's is about $96,008. A 482 salary in WA may need to be higher to attract workers, while in Tasmania it might be closer to the national average.
- Market salary rate: Employers must pay the market salary rate for the occupation, which can be above the TSMIT. This rate is determined by factors like experience, location, and industry.
- Enterprise agreements or awards: Some roles are covered by awards or enterprise agreements that set minimum pay rates above the TSMIT. These must be met.
How to check where your salary sits
You can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average, medians, and minimum wage. The tool shows weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the average. For a state-by-state comparison, see States and territories. Industry and occupation medians are also available via Job medians and Industry medians.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. A 482 visa holder who is an Australian resident for tax purposes will pay tax on their Australian-sourced income at these rates.
Summary
The 482 visa salary requirements are designed to ensure fair pay for sponsored workers. While the TSMIT is typically below the national full-time average, the actual salary offered must also meet market rates and any applicable industrial instruments. Understanding where a salary sits against the average helps both employers and visa holders assess competitiveness. For more details on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set and About this site.