482 visa salary requirements: how state and industry shape the pay floor
Understand 482 visa salary requirements and how state and industry differences affect the minimum pay for sponsored workers. Use the salary index to compare.
The 482 visa salary requirements are set by income thresholds and market salary rates, which vary significantly by state and industry – for example, the national index of 100 corresponds to $108,352, but mining sits at 154.7 and retail at 75.9.
What are 482 visa salary requirements?
When an Australian employer sponsors a worker under the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), they must meet specific salary requirements. These are not a single dollar figure but a set of rules designed to protect both the visa holder and the local labour market. The key components are:
- Market salary rate: The employer must pay at least what they would pay an Australian worker doing the same job in the same location.
- Income thresholds: For the Core Skills stream, the nominated salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). For the Specialist Skills stream, it must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT). These thresholds are set by the Department of Home Affairs and updated periodically.
- Workplace law compliance: The salary must also satisfy the Fair Work Act, including any applicable modern award or enterprise agreement.
This article focuses on how state and industry differences shape these requirements, using the Salary Index as a benchmark.
State differences in 482 visa salary requirements
Australia’s labour market is not uniform. The states page shows that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings vary considerably. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has an index of 109.9 (annualised $119,090), while Tasmania sits at 88.6 ($96,008). Western Australia (106.9) and New South Wales (101.2) are above the national line of 100, while Victoria (98.0) and Queensland (97.9) are slightly below.
For a 482 visa nomination, the market salary rate must reflect these local conditions. An employer in Perth (WA) sponsoring a software engineer would likely need to offer a higher salary than an employer in Hobart (TAS) for the same role, because the local market rate is higher. The income thresholds are national, but they act as a floor – the market rate often pushes the actual salary higher in high-earning states.
Consider a real example: the national index of 100 equals $108,352 per year. In the ACT, the same job might command $119,090 (index 109.9). If the Core Skills Income Threshold is, say, $70,000 (hypothetical), the ACT market rate would still require a salary well above that. The 482 visa salary requirements therefore interact with state-level earnings data.
Industry differences in 482 visa salary requirements
Industry is an even stronger driver of pay. The industries page shows mining at an index of 154.7 ($167,600 annualised), while accommodation and food services is at 72.5 ($78,555). Professional, scientific and technical services (114.7) and education and training (105.5) sit above the national line.
Most 482 visa occupations fall into skilled categories such as ICT, engineering, health, and trades. These are often in industries with above-average indices. For example, a registered nurse in health care and social assistance (index 97.8) would have a market salary around $105,000, while a mining engineer would be closer to $167,000. The 482 visa salary requirement must match that market rate, not just the income threshold.
The Fair Work Ombudsman fact sheet confirms that employers must provide equivalent pay to Australian employees in the same occupation. This means if the industry award or enterprise agreement sets a higher rate, that becomes the minimum. The pay guides on modern awards can help determine the correct classification and rate.
How the salary index helps understand 482 visa salary requirements
The Salary Index converts a yearly gross salary into a number relative to the national line (100 = $108,352). For a 482 visa holder, you can calculate their index by dividing their annual salary by $108,352 and multiplying by 100. This shows how their pay compares to the average full-time adult worker.
For example, a 482 visa holder earning $120,000 in Western Australia would have an index of 110.8, which is above the national line but slightly below the WA state index of 106.9 (meaning they earn a bit less than the typical WA worker). An index below 100 means below average earnings.
Employers and visa applicants can use this tool to benchmark whether a proposed salary is reasonable for the state and industry. The topics page covers more on how to interpret these figures.
Practical tips for meeting 482 visa salary requirements
- Check the current income thresholds on the Department of Home Affairs website. They are usually announced with the financial year.
- Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Calculator to find the correct award rate for the occupation and location.
- Compare with state and industry indices from the states and industries pages to ensure the market salary rate is realistic.
- Remember superannuation: The 12% super guarantee (from 1 July 2026) is on top of the salary, but the income thresholds are based on the base salary excluding super.
- Tax implications: A resident 482 visa holder pays tax on a sliding scale (nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, etc.) plus the 2% Medicare levy. Take-home pay can be estimated using the Salary Index.
Conclusion
482 visa salary requirements are not a one-size-fits-all number. They depend on the occupation’s market rate, the income threshold for the visa stream, and the specific state and industry context. By using the salary index and understanding local benchmarks, both employers and visa holders can ensure compliance and fair pay. For more detailed guidance, explore the pay guides and how the index works pages.
Questions people ask
What are the current income thresholds for the 482 visa?
The Department of Home Affairs sets two main thresholds: the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) for the Core Skills stream and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) for the Specialist Skills stream. These figures are updated periodically and are not published in the search results used here. You must check the official Home Affairs website for the latest amounts. The thresholds are designed to ensure that sponsored workers are paid above a certain level relative to Australian median earnings.
How do state and industry differences affect 482 visa salary requirements?
While the income thresholds are national, the market salary rate component means that employers must pay what an Australian worker in the same occupation and location would earn. In states with higher average earnings, such as the ACT (index 109.9) or WA (106.9), the market rate for a given occupation is likely higher than in Tasmania (88.6). Similarly, industries like mining (index 154.7) command much higher pay than retail (75.9). The 482 visa salary must reflect these local and industry conditions.
Can a 482 visa holder be paid less than the award rate?
No. The Fair Work Ombudsman makes clear that 482 visa holders have the same workplace rights as Australian employees. If a modern award covers the occupation, the employer must pay at least the award rate, which is often higher than the national minimum wage. The 482 visa salary requirement also includes a market salary rate condition, so paying below the award would breach both immigration and workplace laws.