Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold for 457 visa
Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced an increase in required minimum salary thresholds for the 457 visa program, which came into effect on 1 July 2011.
Temporary Skilled Migration income threshold (TSMIT) is the minimum salary level at which an employee must be paid in order for a Subclass 457 (temporary skilled worker) nomination to be accepted by the DIAC in Australia. Under the new legislation, the TSMIT will rise by 3.9%, from $47,480 to $49,330 per year, for all nominations approved or applied for after the 1 July 2011.
Existing subclass 457 visa holders will not be affected unless they change employer and require a new nomination.
A DIAC spokesperson commented, “This annual change ensures that new nominated salaries for the subclass 457 program keep pace with wage inflation. If market salary rates for the position are below the new threshold, the position will not be eligible for the 457 program.”
The salary threshold at which English language testing can be waived has also been raised by 3.9%.
The 457 visa programme in Australia has seen the highest number of successful grants since 2008, as more workers pour into the country to fill vital skills gaps. An estimated 20% of new migrants on the 457 visa went into the mining and construction sectors, where demand for skilled staff is being driven by the massive projects in Western Australia and Queensland.
What next?
- Get help with your Australian visa from a MARA registered agency
- Find out more about the 457 visa
- Find out about the latest changes to the Skilled Migration Program
- Find out more about living in Australia