Australia raises visa salary, Nigerians get massive N73m threshold

Australia has raised the minimum salary for employer-sponsored visas to AUD 76,515 for the 2025-2026 year. Find out how this N73 million threshold affects Nigerian professionals, which visas are impacted, and the July 1 deadline.

Prospective Nigerian migrants eyeing a move to Australia are facing a steeper climb as the Australian government has officially increased the minimum salary requirement for employer-sponsored visas.

The new Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has been set at AUD 76,515, which translates to approximately N73.3 million per annum at current exchange rates. 

This new benchmark will apply to all nomination applications submitted between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

Australia raises TSMIT

The move, described by Australian authorities as a “fairness measure,” is designed to ensure that foreign workers are not used to undercut local wages.

However, for many Nigerians currently processing their Japa plans, the 4.6% increase from the previous threshold represents a significant barrier to entry.

Under the new framework, several popular visa pathways used by Nigerians, including the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), will now require an employment offer that meets or exceeds the N73 million threshold.

For those in Specialist Skills categories, such as high-level Tech and Engineering roles, the bar is even higher, with a minimum salary requirement of AUD 141,210 (approx. N135 million).

What this means for the Nigerian Japa Wave:

• Entry-Level Struggle: Nigerians in entry-level or mid-level administrative and hospitality roles may find it increasingly difficult to secure sponsorship, as many of these roles do not naturally hit the ₦73 million salary mark.
• Focus on High-Value Skills: The new policy favours highly skilled professionals in sectors such as Healthcare, IT, and specialised Engineering, where salaries are more likely to meet the Australian government’s new selection criteria.
• The Exchange Rate Factor: With the Naira continuing to fluctuate, the local equivalent of the required salary is expected to remain a “moving target” for applicants calculating their financial eligibility.

Migration experts have warned that while Australia is not closing its doors, it is becoming more income-focused. 

Nigerians are advised to target high-demand roles and negotiate strongly for salary packages that satisfy the new Department of Home Affairs requirements to avoid visa rejections.