AU-858

Fair Work High Income Threshold (Indicator)

Earnings at this level are one indicator of exceptional and outstanding achievement — not a requirement of the visa

Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Educational only — not legal advice.

Evidence that supports this criterion

What This Indicator Is

Earnings at or above the Fair Work high income threshold are one of the indicators of exceptional and outstanding achievement that Home Affairs weighs under Ministerial Direction No. 120. They are listed among the other measures of high-calibre talent, beside keynote appearances and international patents.

They are not a requirement of the visa. Falling below the threshold does not by itself defeat an application that shows achievement in other ways, such as top-of-field awards, national research grants or international patents.

The indicator is met in one of two ways:

Your current earnings are equal to or greater than the threshold, or
You have written communication from an Australian employer offering employment in Australia with an annual salary equal to or higher than the threshold

The earnings or the offer should be in your area of achievement. The threshold amount changes over time — take the current figure from the Fair Work Commission, not from an older document.

What Assessors Look For

The annual figure, the currency and the date
Base salary shown separately from variable pay and equity
For an offer: that it is in writing and from an Australian employer
A role in your area of achievement
Independent recognition beside the earnings — awards, publications, patents

Evidence Strength

Strong Evidence

Written offer from an Australian employer stating an annual salary at or above the current threshold
Employment contract or payslips showing current annual earnings at or above the threshold
A breakdown separating base salary from variable pay
Equity packages with vesting and valuation explained

Weak Evidence

Pay evidence from another country with no conversion or date
One-off bonuses, or consulting rates without contracts
An offer that is not in writing or not from an Australian employer
A role outside your area of achievement
A package from many years ago presented as current

Common Refusal Themes

An application that rests mainly on a high salary, without independent recognition beside it
Earnings evidence that is outdated or speculative
A threshold figure taken from an older document instead of the Fair Work Commission

Tips for Strengthening Your Evidence

Pro Tips

State the annual figure, the currency and the date, and separate base salary from variable pay.
Treat earnings as support for a record of achievement — they do not replace awards, publications, patents or other independent recognition.
If your earnings are below the threshold, rely on the other indicators instead.
A written Australian offer or contract also helps with a separate requirement: showing you can find work or become independently established in your area of expertise in Australia.

Relevant Document Types

Employment contracts, written offers from Australian employers, payslips, and equity documentation.

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AU-858

Fair Work High Income Threshold (Indicator)

Earnings at this level are one indicator of exceptional and outstanding achievement — not a requirement of the visa

Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Educational only — not legal advice.

Evidence that supports this criterion

What This Indicator Is

The indicator is met in one of two ways:

Your current earnings are equal to or greater than the threshold, or
You have written communication from an Australian employer offering employment in Australia with an annual salary equal to or higher than the threshold

The earnings or the offer should be in your area of achievement. The threshold amount changes over time — take the current figure from the Fair Work Commission, not from an older document.

What Assessors Look For

The annual figure, the currency and the date
Base salary shown separately from variable pay and equity
For an offer: that it is in writing and from an Australian employer
A role in your area of achievement
Independent recognition beside the earnings — awards, publications, patents

Evidence Strength

Strong Evidence

Written offer from an Australian employer stating an annual salary at or above the current threshold
Employment contract or payslips showing current annual earnings at or above the threshold
A breakdown separating base salary from variable pay
Equity packages with vesting and valuation explained

Weak Evidence

Pay evidence from another country with no conversion or date
One-off bonuses, or consulting rates without contracts
An offer that is not in writing or not from an Australian employer
A role outside your area of achievement
A package from many years ago presented as current

Common Refusal Themes

An application that rests mainly on a high salary, without independent recognition beside it
Earnings evidence that is outdated or speculative
A threshold figure taken from an older document instead of the Fair Work Commission

Tips for Strengthening Your Evidence

Pro Tips

State the annual figure, the currency and the date, and separate base salary from variable pay.
Treat earnings as support for a record of achievement — they do not replace awards, publications, patents or other independent recognition.
If your earnings are below the threshold, rely on the other indicators instead.
A written Australian offer or contract also helps with a separate requirement: showing you can find work or become independently established in your area of expertise in Australia.

Relevant Document Types

Employment contracts, written offers from Australian employers, payslips, and equity documentation.

Ready to check your evidence?

Upload documents and get AI-powered analysis against this criterion.

Create a case