Australia Migration Update: TSMIT Increase & 485 Visa Fee

Graduate Visa Fee Has Jumped to $4,600

One of the biggest surprises came on 1 March 2026 when the visa application fee for the Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 increased dramatically.

The new application cost is now at $4,600 which is more than double what the applicants were previously paying.

What caught many people off guard is that these visa fee increases usually happen on 1 July each year. But because this change came in March, so many students and migration agents were not expecting it.

The 485 Graduate Visa is commonly used by international students who have completed their studies in Australia. It allows them to stay in the country temporarily to:

• Work full-time
• Gain Australian work experience
• Potentially transition into employer sponsorship or skilled migration pathways

With the higher fee now in place, if you are planning your post-study migration pathway, you will likely need to factor this extra cost into your plans.

​Minimum Salary for Sponsored Workers Increasing

Another major update is the increase to Australia’s Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).

From 1 July 2026, the minimum salary required for employer-sponsored workers will rise to $79,499.

This change mainly affects applicants applying for employer-sponsored visas such as:

• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa Subclass 482
• Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186

TSMIT sets the minimum salary an employer must offer when sponsoring a worker from overseas.

What This Means for Visa Applicants

If you are planning to apply for a 482 employer-sponsored visa, your salary will need to meet the new threshold once the change takes effect.

This update isn’t just for new applicants, either. This may also affect people who are currently on a 482 visa and planning to transition to permanent residency through the186 visa.

Why Does TSMIT Increase Each Year?

The TSMIT threshold is adjusted regularly to reflect changes in Australia’s labour market and wages.

The main purpose of the TSMIT is to ensure that skilled migrants are paid fairly and they cannot be used as a cheaper alternative to hiring Australian workers. The government/s aim is to maintain wage standards across industries by setting a minimum salary requirement.

Another reason for regular increases is inflation and general wage growth. As salaries rise across Australia, the government adjusts the threshold to keep employer-sponsored visas aligned with the broader labour market.

In simple terms, the increase helps ensure that employer-sponsored workers are paid at a level consistent with Australian salary expectations.

Some Occupations May Have Reached Their 189 Invitation Quota

There is a new information released through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has also provided insight into invitation numbers for the Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189.

This visa is one of the most sought-after permanent residency pathways in Australia because it does not require employer or state sponsorship.

According to the data released, several occupations appear to have already reached their invitation quota for the current migration program year.

These occupations reportedly include:

• Chefs
• Engineers
• ICT professionals

If these quotas have been reached, applicants in these occupations may not receive further 189 invitations until the next migration program year begins on 1 July.

State Nomination Pathways Still Available

Even if invitations for the 189 visa slow down, there may still be opportunities through state and regional migration programs.

These include:

• Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190
• Skilled Work Regional Visa Subclass 491

Each state and territory governments run their own nomination programs. Which means invitations can still happen depending on occupation demand, location requirements, and available quotas.