LAHFA High-Income Threshold Depends on How You Work
LAHFA high-income threshold rules often cause confusion for employer-sponsored visa applicants.
A client over 45 wanted to know if their Living-Away-from-Home Allowance (LAHFA) could be counted toward the FWHIT when applying for a permanent employer-sponsored visa. They argued that the LAHFA was a set, contractual amount and should form part of their earnings.
Although there isn’t a definitive Departmental policy, the industry view is that allowances linked to guaranteed remote work can be included. If the job is exclusively away from home, LAHFA is likely to be counted as part of your earnings. However, if the worker sometimes works near home and the allowance isn’t guaranteed in the employment contract, the Department may exclude it.
Whether LAHFA is included in the LAHFA high-income threshold depends on how the allowance is structured and documented.
Practical Advice
• Ensure the allowance is contractually tied to continuous remote work to argue that it forms part of your earnings.
• If your remote work is irregular or discretionary, don’t rely on LAHFA to meet the high-income threshold.
• Provide evidence that the allowance is fixed and not merely a reimbursement.
When assessing income for migration purposes, decision-makers focus on whether allowances like LAHFA are fixed, guaranteed, and linked to ongoing work arrangements. Clear contractual evidence strengthens arguments that LAHFA should be included when assessing the LAHFA high-income threshold.
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Disclaimer: This article contains general information only and may not apply to your specific circumstances. For personalised guidance on your visa application, please book a consultation with one of our registered migration agents.
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Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This article is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.
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