Australia has increased the minimum annual salary for foreign specialists seeking work visas to approximately GH₵1.2 million. This change, effective from 1 July 2026, applies to employer nominations lodged under the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand programme. The new threshold, AUD 146,576, is a significant increase from the previous year's AUD 141,210. This move is expected to impact Ghanaian professionals who have been using this route to work in Australia.
The Specialist Skills stream, part of the Skills in Demand visa programme, is unique in that it is not restricted to a fixed list of approved occupations. Instead, salary alone determines eligibility, allowing professionals from various fields to qualify if an employer is willing to pay at or above the threshold. The Skills in Demand visa, officially subclass 482, replaced the older Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024. This change aims to ensure that foreign specialists are fairly compensated.
The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) has been increasing steadily since the stream launched in December 2024. It began at AUD 135,000 and has risen by AUD 11,576 over two years. The Department of Home Affairs reviews the threshold periodically in line with domestic wage conditions, which means further increases are likely in future cycles. This periodic review ensures that the threshold remains aligned with Australia's labour market.
For Ghanaian professionals, the rising salary floor means that the pathway to working in Australia is becoming more challenging. The increased threshold may limit opportunities for those seeking work in Australia, as employers must now offer a salary that meets or exceeds the new benchmark. This change may lead to a more competitive job market for Ghanaian professionals.
This move is part of a broader trend of changes in migration policies by Western countries that are affecting Ghanaian skilled workers. Countries like the UK have introduced new rules, such as a joint-filing rule for elderly couples' care visas and bans on the marriage visitor visa. In contrast, Germany has made its labour market more accessible to Ghanaian job seekers by scrapping its German language test requirement for seven visa categories.
The new AUD 146,576 threshold applies to nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 through 30 June 2027. After this period, the Department of Home Affairs is expected to conduct its next periodic review to determine the subsequent threshold. Further details on sponsorship requirements and the nomination process are available through Australia's official Department of Home Affairs website.
The changes to Australia's Specialist Skills visa are expected to have a significant impact on Ghanaian professionals seeking work in Australia. With the increased salary threshold, only employers offering competitive salaries will be able to sponsor foreign specialists. This shift highlights the need for Ghanaian professionals to explore various migration options and stay informed about changing policies.
Key points
- The Australian government has increased the minimum salary for foreign specialists to GH₵1.2 million, affecting Ghanaian professionals seeking work visas.
- The Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand programme has a unique eligibility criterion based solely on salary.
- The periodic review of the Specialist Skills Income Threshold ensures it remains aligned with Australia's labour market conditions.
