When sponsoring a worker under the Subclass 482 or 186, employers often focus on whether the salary meets the income threshold of $76,515 (Core Skills Income Threshold or CSIT).
But there’s a crucial mistake many businesses make:
Paying above the CSIT does not automatically mean the salary is acceptable.
You also need to show that the salary aligns with the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR).
What Is the Market Salary Rate?
The AMSR is the rate an Australian worker would receive for the same role, in the same location, with the same skills and experience. The Department of Home Affairs assesses this separately from the income threshold.
If you underpay compared to the market rate, even if you exceed $76,515, your nomination can still be refused.
Let’s take Software Engineer as an example.
- CSIT: $76,515 – Meets the income threshold
- AMSR: ~$100,000+ for most software engineers in Australia — Does not meet market rate
If you offer $80,000 for a Software Engineer role, the Department will likely find this significantly below market expectations, and your nomination can be refused, even though it clears the threshold.
What Employers Must Do
To ensure your nomination meets AMSR requirements:
- Conduct a proper salary benchmark – Compare with similar roles in your industry, region, and business size.
- Provide evidence – This could include contracts for equivalent Australian workers, job ads, or independent salary surveys.
- Align your offer with the role’s seniority and technical level – The market rate for a graduate is very different from a senior professional.
- Work with a migration specialist – We can help assess the appropriate AMSR and prepare your supporting documentation.
Why This Matters
Failure to meet the AMSR can result in:
- Nomination refusal, costing time and thousands in government fees
- Visa refusal for the applicant
- Increased scrutiny on your business and potential impact on your sponsorship approval
Need Help?
At Crystal Migration, we assist businesses in:
- Assessing AMSR correctly for each role
- Preparing robust Market Salary Rate reports
- Avoiding common refusal reasons