Immigration Update: 482 & 494 Visa Holders Changing Employers | New Income Thresholds Coming July 2025 + Updated Processing Times
Changing employers as the holder of a 482 or 494 visa
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that Subclass 482 and 494 visa holders who have ceased working for their current sponsor and have lodged a valid nomination application within the 180-day timeframe, can continue working for their new prospective sponsor even if their new nomination is still yet to be approved.
What this means:
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No need to stop working while waiting for the new nomination approval.
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Applicants can avoid income gaps and remain compliant.
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This applies only if the nomination is lodged within the 180-day window of ceasing employment with the previous sponsor.
Income Threshold Increases Effective 1 July, 2025
The Australian Government has announced a 4.6% increase for the Core and Specialist Skills income thresholds. These new salary benchmarks apply to nominations lodged on or after July 1, 2025.
Updated Income Thresholds:
| Income Threshold | Current (until 30 June 2025) | New (from 1 July 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) | AUD $73,150 | AUD $76,515 |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | AUD $135,000 | AUD $141,210 |
Visa Processing Times Updated
The Department of Home Affairs has updated processing times for Subclass 482 and 186 visas:
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Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482):
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Specialist Skills Stream: 13 days
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Core Skills Stream: 41 days
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Labour Agreement Stream: 71 days
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Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186):
- Temporary Resident Transition Stream & Direct Entry: 12 to 18 months.
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