Understanding the minimum salary for a 482 visa
The minimum salary for a 482 visa is not a single figure published by the ABS or Fair Work. Instead, it is determined by two main requirements: the salary must be at least the market salary rate for the nominated occupation, and it must meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) set by the Department of Home Affairs. The TSMIT is currently $70,000 per year, but this threshold is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, refer to the Department of Home Affairs.
The national full-time adult ordinary time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. This figure is the line used on this site to compare salaries. The 482 visa minimum salary, at the TSMIT of $70,000, sits below this national average. However, many skilled occupations command market salaries well above the TSMIT, often exceeding the national average.
How state and award differences affect the 482 visa salary
The market salary rate for an occupation can vary significantly by state and territory. For example, the full-time average in the Australian Capital Territory is about $119,090 per year, while in Tasmania it is about $96,008 per year. An employer nominating a position in a high-cost state like the ACT may need to offer a higher salary to meet the market rate, even if the TSMIT is lower.
Awards also play a crucial role. Many occupations covered by awards have minimum pay rates that are higher than the TSMIT. For instance, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week, but award minimums rose by 4.75% in the same review. If an occupation is covered by an award, the 482 visa salary must be at least the award rate. This can push the minimum salary above the TSMIT for some roles.
Comparing the 482 visa salary to medians and averages
The full-time median earnings in Australia are about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), while the all-employees median is about $74,100. The TSMIT of $70,000 is close to the all-employees median but below the full-time median. This means that many full-time workers earn more than the 482 visa minimum threshold. However, the market salary rate for skilled occupations often exceeds the full-time median, especially in professions like engineering, IT, and healthcare.
Men's full-time average ordinary time earnings are about $113,412 per year, and women's are about $100,594. The gender pay gap persists across all states, and the 482 visa salary requirements do not directly address this, but the market rate must be gender-neutral.
Using this site to place a salary on the line
You can Place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. For example, if you enter a 482 visa salary of $70,000, the tool will show it is about 65% of the national average line. If you enter a market rate of $110,000, it will be close to the line.
The site also provides States and territories averages, so you can see how the salary compares to the local average. For instance, a $70,000 salary is below the average in every state, but in Tasmania it is closer to the average than in the ACT.
Job medians and Industry medians are also available to give more context. For example, the median in health care and social assistance is higher than the all-employees median, reflecting the skilled nature of many 482 visa occupations in that sector.
The role of the minimum wage and tax
The national minimum wage is $52,255 per year, which is below the TSMIT. However, award-covered employees may have higher minimums. The 482 visa salary must be at least the award rate, so the effective minimum for a 482 visa in an award-covered occupation could be higher than $70,000.
Tax rates for 2026–27 are progressive: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that, plus a 2% Medicare levy. A 482 visa holder earning $70,000 would pay about $11,067 in tax plus Medicare, leaving about $58,933 after tax. This is important for budgeting.
How the figures are set
The national average is calculated by the ABS from the Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice a year for May and November. The medians come from the Employee Earnings and Hours survey, released annually. The minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission each year. The 482 visa salary requirements are set by the Department of Home Affairs and are not directly tied to these labour market statistics, but they interact with them through market salary rates and award obligations.
For more on methodology, see How the figures are set and About this site.
Conclusion
The minimum salary for a 482 visa is not a single number but a threshold that depends on the occupation, location, and award coverage. While the TSMIT is $70,000, the actual minimum can be higher. Comparing it to the national full-time average of $108,352 shows that many 482 visa salaries are below the average, but skilled roles often exceed it. Use the tools on this site to see where a specific salary sits on the line.