By the SponsorMap team · Last updated 2026-06-01
The Skills in Demand visa splits most applicants into two streams: Core Skills and Specialist Skills. Which one applies to you comes down mostly to your salary. The difference matters a lot — especially for how fast your visa gets processed.
Official source: Check your occupation on SponsorMap
This is the default for most people. To qualify, your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and your salary must be at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (AUD 76,515, rising to AUD 79,499 from 1 July 2026). It's the successor to the old Medium-term TSS stream.
This stream is for high earners — a salary at or above AUD 141,210 (AUD 146,717 from July 2026). The big advantages: there's no occupation-list requirement (your job doesn't need to be on the CSOL), no labour market testing, and processing is dramatically faster. You also get a slightly longer visa (up to five years).
This is the part many people miss. As of mid-2026, Specialist Skills applications are often decided in days, while Core Skills applications can take several months. If you're close to the Specialist threshold, it can be worth discussing with your employer whether the role can be structured to qualify.
If you earn above the Specialist threshold, you're likely Specialist Skills regardless of your occupation. If you earn below it but your occupation is on the CSOL, you're Core Skills. If neither, you may not be eligible through these streams — a regional pathway or another visa might fit. Check your occupation first.
About this guide
This guide is maintained by the SponsorMap team and reviewed against official Australian government sources. SponsorMap's company data comes from the Department of Home Affairs list of approved sponsors. Visa rules and figures are based on the Department of Home Affairs and are updated as they change. This is general information, not migration advice — always confirm your situation with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.
This is general information only, not migration or legal advice. Rules change — always verify with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent (MARA).
Last updated: 2026-06-01 · Australian Department of Home Affairs