Median wage changes and exceptions
The new median wage rate of $31.61 an hour is being adopted into parts of the immigration system on 28 February 2024.
This will apply to wage thresholds for the Skilled Migrant Category, the Parent Category, and the Green List Straight to Residence and Work to Residence visas. It will also apply for transport workers (excluding bus drivers) applying for the Transport Work to Residence Visa.
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) exceptions
This increase does not apply to Accredited Employer Work Visas and AEWV-linked visas, which will remain at the current rate of $29.66 per hour.
The AEWV-linked visas are:
- the Partner of a Worker work visa
- Variation of Conditions for AEWVs, legacy Essential Skills work visas, interim visas granted under the Skilled Migrant Category, and Partner of a Worker work visas
- Subsequent Migrant Exploitation Protection work visas
All exemptions to the median wage will also remain in place at current rates until the use of the median wage under the AEWV is decided.
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