Specialist Skills stream

High pay is only part of the assessment

The nominated earnings must satisfy the Specialist Skills Income Threshold, but a generous remuneration package does not make every occupation eligible. Check the occupation classification and exclusions before treating this stream as available. The relevant threshold can change. A salary quoted in an older guide should not be used to approve a current employment offer.

The Specialist Skills occupation settings cover ANZSCO major groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, subject to the applicable requirements. Major groups 3, 7 and 8 are excluded. Confirm the classification of the actual role before relying on salary alone.

Explain the remuneration clearly

Break the proposed package into base pay, superannuation, allowances, benefits and variable remuneration. Identify which components are guaranteed and obtain advice about which can count for migration purposes. Keep the signed offer consistent with payroll arrangements and the nomination. A discretionary bonus should not be treated as guaranteed simply because the employee received one in a previous year.

Prepare a coherent specialist role

An assessment should connect the organisation’s needs with the position’s responsibilities and the worker’s background. Useful preparation includes a reporting structure, a description of decision-making authority and evidence of relevant work. The applicant still needs to address the visa criteria; the employer still needs to support the proposed position. Do not choose this stream solely because it appears attractive in a processing-time headline.

Hypothetical example

An employer offers a specialist a package that includes a substantial performance bonus. The parties first separate guaranteed earnings from contingent payments and check the occupation restrictions. They cannot assume that the total headline package establishes eligibility for this stream.