• Australia raises minimum salary for foreign workers to AUD 76,515, impacting skilled visa applications from Nigerians
• New threshold aims to protect local wages and ensure fair competition in the labour market
• Tighter migration quotas were introduced alongside high demand for skilled workers, signalling a challenging landscape ahead

Pascal Oparada is a journalist with Legit.ng, covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy for over a decade.

Australia has significantly increased the minimum salary requirement for foreign workers, including Nigerians, under its employer-sponsored visa programmes.

The new threshold of AUD 76,515—equivalent to about N72.5 million—marks a major shift in the country’s migration policy and sets a higher entry bar for skilled professionals.

The revised salary benchmark will apply to visa applications submitted between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

The move is part of a broader strategy to align migrant wages with those of local workers and ensure fairness in the labour market.

Visa categories affected

According to a report by Vanguard, the updated salary requirement cuts across several key visa pathways used by foreign professionals.

These include the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494), the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187), the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

For highly specialised professionals, the bar is even higher. Under the Specialist Skills Income Threshold, applicants must now earn at least AUD 141,210, reflecting a push to attract top-tier global talent while maintaining strict standards.

Why Australia is raising the bar

The changes are tied to Australia’s wage indexation system, which adjusts migration salary thresholds in line with Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings.

Authorities say this ensures foreign workers are not underpaid compared to their Australian counterparts.

By linking migration policies to real wage growth, the government aims to prevent exploitation, reduce wage suppression, and promote fair competition between local and migrant workers.

At the same time, employers sponsoring foreign workers must now meet stricter compliance requirements.

Companies are expected to prove that salary offers meet both the official thresholds and prevailing market rates within their industries.

Impact on Nigerians and other migrants

For Nigerians and other foreign job seekers, the new policy introduces tougher entry conditions, particularly for mid-level roles where salaries may struggle to meet the updated benchmark.

However, there is a silver lining. Successful applicants stand to benefit from higher earnings and improved financial stability, making Australia an even more attractive destination for those who meet the criteria.

Industries such as hospitality, retail, and parts of healthcare are expected to feel the pressure as businesses adjust pay structures to comply with the new rules. Analysts believe this could trigger broader wage increases in sectors that rely heavily on migrant labour.

Fewer slots, but strong demand remains

The salary hike comes amid tightening migration quotas. Australia has allocated about 20,350 visa places for its 2025–2026 skilled migration programme across key state-nominated pathways, reflecting a more controlled intake.

Despite these restrictions, demand for skilled workers remains strong. Projections indicate that Australia could face a shortage of up to 250,000 workers in finance, technology, and business roles by 2030.

Workforce estimates suggest the country will need around 3.5 million professionals in these sectors by the end of the decade, underscoring continued reliance on foreign talent.

What this means going forward

While Australia is making it harder to qualify, it is also making the rewards more attractive. For Nigerians with in-demand skills, the opportunity remains significant, but only for those who can meet the rising standards.

With annual reviews of salary thresholds expected, the window for entry may continue to evolve, making early preparation and competitive positioning more important than ever.

UK announces new visa fee changes for Nigerians

Legit.ng earlier reported that the United Kingdom has announced plans to increase visa fees for individuals seeking to visit, study, work, or live in the country from April 8, 2026.

According to information published by the UK Home Office, the largest increase applies to the “Route to Settlement and other dependant relative,” which will rise by £222, from £3,413 to £3,635.

Other notable increases include a £197 hike for indefinite leave to remain applications across multiple categories, as well as a £114 increase for Skilled Worker visas issued for more than three years within the UK.

Source: Legit.ng