From 1 July 2026, the Australian Commonwealth Government adjusted the statutory remuneration thresholds governing employer-sponsored skilled migration. While businesses frequently ask: “What is the minimum statutory salary required to sponsor a Subclass 482 visa holder?”, calculating the total sponsorship commitment requires factoring in the mandatory Skilling Australians Fund Levy (SAF Levy).
1. Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) Benchmark
Under the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) Core Skills Stream, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is set at AUD 79,423 per annum. Employers must pay the higher of the CSIT or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the nominated occupation.
2. What is the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy?
The SAF Levy is a mandatory statutory nomination charge paid exclusively by the sponsoring employer to support domestic workforce vocational training. Employers cannot pass this cost onto the visa applicant.
SAF Levy Rate Schedule
| Nominated Visa Duration | Annual Turnover < AUD 10 Million | Annual Turnover ≥ AUD 10 Million |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Year | AUD 1,200 | AUD 1,800 |
| 2 Years | AUD 2,400 | AUD 3,600 |
| 3 Years | AUD 3,600 | AUD 5,400 |
| 4 Years | AUD 4,800 | AUD 7,200 |
Corporate sponsorship advisory with De1 Consultancy
De1 Consultancy assists Australian employers in structuring compliant nomination budgets, managing SAF levy payments, and lodging Subclass 482 sponsorships.
Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs / Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Act 2018 / De1 Analysis
