Australia’s employer-sponsorship salary floor rose to AUD 79,423 on 1 July 2026. That number, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), decides whether an employer can sponsor you for a Subclass 482 (Core Skills stream) or 186 visa. For Indian students planning their Australian study and career pathway, understanding which degrees clear this threshold at graduation and which require time on the 485 visa to bridge the gap is essential planning information before you choose your course and university.
Of the fields compared in this guide, two clear the threshold at typical starting pay: engineering graduates report a median of AUD 82,500 and computing graduates AUD 80,000 in the 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey. Computing clears it by less than AUD 600. Nursing (AUD 73,700 to 75,100) sits roughly AUD 4,000 to 6,000 below, and even the all-field median of AUD 77,000 falls short. None of that locks you out. Your 485 work years give you time to close the gap before an employer lodges a nomination.
For Indian students planning their complete Australian study and career pathway, study in Australia covers universities, course options, tuition fees and the full post-study work visa framework in detail.
What AUD 79,423 Controls: Australia Skilled Visa Salary Threshold 2026
The CSIT is the minimum guaranteed annual salary an employer must state when nominating a worker for the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) Core Skills stream or the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186). It rose from AUD 76,515 to AUD 79,423, a 3.8% increase indexed to Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE), and it adjusts every 1 July.
The figure that applies to you is the one in force when your employer lodges the nomination, not when you enrolled or when you graduated. This distinction matters: an employer who nominates you in August 2027 will use the threshold in effect from July 2027, which may differ from today’s figure.
If you are on a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, the CSIT does not limit your day-to-day work. You can take any job at any salary for the full length of your 485. The threshold only matters when an employer formally sponsors you for a longer-term skilled visa.
Two related thresholds also rose by 3.8%:
- Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) for the 482 Specialist Skills stream: now AUD 146,576, covering highly paid niche roles rather than typical graduate jobs
- Regional 494 and 187 visa threshold: also at AUD 79,423
Which Fields Clear the Bar: Graduate Salary Data 2026
The salary figures below come from the 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey National Report, the government-funded survey of bachelor’s graduates four to six months after finishing, published in June 2026. These figures cover domestic graduates; treat them as a benchmark for the roles you will be competing for rather than a guarantee of your own first offer as an international graduate.
| Computing and Information Systems | Median Starting Salary | vs CSIT AUD 79,423 |
| Engineering | AUD 82,500 | +AUD 3,077 CLEARS |
| Computing and Information Systems | AUD 80,000 | +AUD 577 CLEARS |
| All fields median | AUD 77,000 | -AUD 2,423 below |
| Nursing (English-speaking background) | AUD 75,100 | -AUD 4,323 below |
| Nursing (other home language) | AUD 73,700 | -AUD 5,723 below |
Engineering
Engineering graduates reported a median starting salary of AUD 82,500, clearing the CSIT by approximately AUD 3,100. This is the most straightforward path to employer sponsorship at graduation for Indian students. The Engineers Australia 2026 employment survey confirms engineering graduates are among Australia’s most employable. Civil, mechanical, electrical and software engineering all fall into this category.
Confirm your specific programme is CRICOS-registered since 485 eligibility depends on it. When seeking a 482 nomination, check that the offer letter explicitly states at least AUD 79,423 the AUD 74,540 first-year figure from Jobs and Skills Australia shows the gap between median starting offers and the threshold is real if an employer offers at the lower end.
Computing and Information Technology
Computing graduates reported a median of AUD 80,000, clearing the CSIT by under AUD 600. This narrow margin is the most important planning consideration for Indian IT students. The median blends every IT role and region; metro software engineering roles in Sydney and Melbourne often pay significantly more than support, QA or regional IT positions.
Only 65.3% of computing graduates were in full-time work four to six months after finishing, one of the lower employment rates of any field. This means many individual offers will land below AUD 79,423 even though the median sits above it. Indian IT graduates targeting the 482 sponsorship pathway should specifically aim for software engineering and data roles in major cities rather than support or operations roles.
Nursing
Nursing medians of AUD 73,700 to 75,100 fall AUD 4,300 to 5,700 below the CSIT. However, this figure requires careful interpretation. Most nursing graduates enter public hospital graduate programmes where state enterprise agreements set pay, and rates differ significantly by state. Before assuming a shortfall, look up the current graduate registered nurse rate in your specific target state.
State 190 nominations for nursing are also active in several states, adding 5 points toward PR through the points-tested pathway and providing an alternative route that bypasses the CSIT entirely. Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have historically offered strong 190 nursing nominations.
Business and Accounting
Business is not broken out in the 2025 survey’s published summary. The 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey put business and management graduates at a median of AUD 69,200, below that year’s all-field median of AUD 71,000. For Indian business graduates, expect starting salaries to fall below the CSIT and plan accordingly the 485 period is the primary bridge to employer sponsorship eligibility.
For accounting graduates, a CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA skills assessment is mandatory for the 189/190/491 independent points-tested routes. Confirm current processing times with the relevant body before planning your timeline.
The 485 Visa: Your Strategic Window to Cross the Threshold
If your field starts below the threshold, the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa gives you the time to bridge the gap. The Post-Higher Education Work stream typically runs 2 to 3 years for degree holders, depending on your qualification level and where you studied.
The most important point for Indian students to understand: what must meet the CSIT threshold is the salary on the offer letter at the time your employer lodges the nomination, not your current pay and not your starting salary. You can begin employment below the threshold and negotiate or progress to AUD 79,423 before your employer submits the 482 nomination.
There is also a route that bypasses the CSIT entirely for those who qualify: the points-tested Subclass 189 and 190 visas. They require a positive skills assessment and a score above the invitation cutoff for your specific occupation. The minimum is 65 points, but competitive occupations receive invitations well above this level. A state 190 nomination adds 5 points and can be decisive in whether you receive an invitation. Check Home Affairs’ published SkillSelect invitation results for your occupation before building your plan around this route.
For guidance on the complete visa process, including 485 application documentation and the 482 sponsorship transition, Envision provides end-to-end support for Indian students.
485 Visa Fee 2026: A Significant Cost Increase
The Subclass 485 base application fee has risen sharply in 2026 and must be factored into financial planning for any Indian student targeting Australian post-study work rights.
| Date | 485 Base Fee |
| Before March 2026 | AUD 2,300 |
| From 1 March 2026 | AUD 4,600 |
| From 1 July 2026 | AUD 5,750 |
Additional family member fees from 1 July 2026:
- Partner aged 18 or over: AUD 2,875
- Each child under 18: AUD 1,450
A couple with one child applying for the 485 after July 2026 pays approximately AUD 10,075 in visa fees alone before the visa is granted. This is a significant change from the pre-2026 total and should be included in education loan planning from the outset. Always confirm the current fee on the Department of Home Affairs site before applying, as it adjusts annually on 1 July.
Education Loan EMI vs Australian Graduate Salary: The Real Numbers
A benchmark INR 30 lakh education loan at 10.5% per annum over 10 years gives an EMI of approximately INR 40,500 per month. At mid-September 2026 exchange rates of approximately INR 68 to the Australian dollar, that is approximately AUD 595 per month.
Under 2026 to 2027 Australian resident tax rates plus the 2% Medicare levy, the after-tax monthly income and loan burden look like this:
| Field | Median Salary | Monthly Take-Home | EMI as % |
| Engineering | AUD 82,500 | AUD 5,465 | 11% |
| Computing | AUD 80,000 | AUD 5,325 | 11% |
| Nursing | AUD 73,700 to 75,100 | AUD 4,965 to 5,045 | 12% |
| Business (2023) | AUD 69,200 | AUD 4,710 | 13% |
These calculations assume Australian tax residency for the full year. The longer-term trajectory from the Jobs and Skills Australia Higher Education Outcomes Report puts engineering graduates at AUD 74,540 in their first year, rising to AUD 106,550 by year five. The equivalent figures across all graduates are AUD 65,527 at year one and AUD 85,918 at year five.
The first-year engineering figure of AUD 74,540 sits below the CSIT. This reinforces the timing point: seek a 482 nomination when the salary on your specific offer letter reaches AUD 79,423, not simply when you complete your 485 visa period or when your salary approaches the figure.
For Indian students managing education loan repayment alongside Australian living costs, financial assistance at Envision helps structure the loan timeline, repayment schedule and currency risk against realistic Australian salary growth curves before course enrolment.
Australia vs UK vs Canada: Graduate Salary Comparison
For Indian students comparing destinations, the graduate salary picture differs significantly, and Australia’s position is stronger than often assumed.
Australia (2025 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey):
- Engineering: AUD 82,500
- Computing: AUD 80,000
- All fields: AUD 77,000
UK (HESA 2023/24 Graduate Outcomes):
- All graduates full-time: £30,000 median 15 months after finishing (approximately INR 32 lakh at September 2026 rates)
- 12% of international graduates reported unemployment against 6% of UK graduates
Canada (Statistics Canada, 3 years post-graduation):
- International bachelor’s graduates: CAD 52,000 median three years out 20.2% below Canadian graduates
- International master’s graduates: CAD 70,000, 16.6% below Canadian graduates
Australia’s engineering and computing starting salaries hold up well against both the UK and Canada. The 485 visa’s 2 to 3 year duration compares favourably with the UK Graduate Route’s 2 years and sits behind Canada’s PGWP 3 years for most qualification levels.
Field-by-Field Action Summary for Indian Students
Engineering: Median clears CSIT by AUD 3,100. Confirm programme is CRICOS-registered. Check offer letter states at least AUD 79,423 at nomination time, not just at starting pay.
Computing and IT: Median clears by AUD 577, but employment rate is low at 65.3%. Target metro software engineering roles in Sydney and Melbourne. Treat employer-sponsored 482 as primary plan and verify salary on any offer before counting on sponsorship.
Nursing: Medians fall short, but state enterprise agreements vary. Check your target state’s graduate registered nurse rate. Investigate active state 190 nursing nominations as an alternative PR route.
Business and Accounting: Starting pay likely below CSIT. Accounting graduates need a skills assessment for independent skilled visas. A state 190 nomination can be decisive. Use the 485 period to reach AUD 79,423 before seeking 482 nomination.
All students: Budget AUD 5,750 for the 485 base fee plus AUD 2,875 per adult secondary applicant and AUD 1,450 per child. Re-check the CSIT each July to know the current figure when your employer lodges a nomination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Australia skilled visa salary threshold in 2026?
The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) rose to AUD 79,423 from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 76,515. This is the minimum salary an employer must guarantee when sponsoring a worker for the Subclass 482 Core Skills stream or Subclass 186 visa. It adjusts every 1 July, and the figure that applies is the one in effect when your employer lodges the nomination.
Does engineering clear the Australia skilled visa threshold at graduation?
Yes. Engineering graduates reported a median starting salary of AUD 82,500 in the 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey, clearing the AUD 79,423 CSIT by approximately AUD 3,100. Engineering is the most straightforward field for Indian graduates targeting employer sponsorship at or shortly after graduation.
What is the 485 visa fee in Australia in 2026?
AUD 5,750 from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 4,600 (March 2026) and AUD 2,300 previously. A partner aged 18 or over adds AUD 2,875 and each child under 18 adds AUD 1,450. Always confirm the current fee on the Department of Home Affairs site before applying, as it adjusts annually.
Does nursing clear the Australia skilled visa salary threshold?
Not at median starting pay. Nursing medians of AUD 73,700 to 75,100 fall AUD 4,300 to 5,700 below the CSIT. However, public hospital graduate programmes follow state enterprise agreements, so the actual rate in your target state may differ. State 190 nominations for nursing also provide an alternative PR route that bypasses the CSIT.
Can Indian students on a 485 visa work below AUD 79,423?
Yes. The CSIT does not apply during the 485 Temporary Graduate visa period. You can work in any role at any salary. The threshold only applies when an employer nominates you for a sponsored skilled visa. Use the 485 period to gain experience and reach the threshold before seeking employer sponsorship.
How does Australia compare to UK and Canada for graduate salaries?
Australia’s engineering and computing starting salaries (AUD 82,500 and AUD 80,000) compare favourably. UK all-graduate median is £30,000 (15 months after finishing). Canada international bachelor’s graduates earn a median of CAD 52,000 three years out. Australia’s 485 visa of 2 to 3 years also provides meaningful post-study work time compared to the UK Graduate Route’s 2 years.
Conclusion
The AUD 79,423 Australia skilled visa salary threshold is the single most important number for Indian students evaluating Australian study as a career investment. Engineering and computing clear it at median starting pay. Nursing and business require time on the 485 visa to bridge the gap and the 2 to 3 year 485 period exists precisely for this purpose.
The number to work back from is AUD 79,423. Check what employers in your target city and role are offering graduates in the specific segment you are aiming for, not the field average. If that clears the threshold, your path to 482 sponsorship is straightforward. If it does not, your 485 period is the strategic asset.
Our team at Envision helps Indian students understand how Australia’s visa salary thresholds, 485 fees, and PR pathways fit into their overall study and career plan, compared with UK, Canada, and Germany options based on their specific course, city, and qualification.