Labour Market Testing (LMT) Assistance

What Is Labour Market Testing?

Labour Market Testing (LMT) is a requirement for most employer-sponsored visa nominations. It requires the sponsoring employer to demonstrate that they have genuinely tested the Australian labour market before seeking to fill a position with an overseas worker. The purpose is to ensure that Australian workers have been given a fair opportunity to apply for the role.

LMT is not just about placing an advertisement. The Department of Home Affairs has specific rules about where, when, and how advertising must be conducted, what information must be included, and how long the advertisements must remain active. Non-compliant LMT is one of the most common reasons for nomination refusal.

Current LMT Requirements

As of the current legislative framework, compliant labour market testing requires the following:

Mandatory Advertising Platforms

• Workforce Australia: The position must be advertised on the Workforce Australia website (formerly JobActive). This is a mandatory requirement for all nominations requiring LMT.
• At least one other platform: The position must also be advertised on at least one additional recruitment platform, such as Seek, Indeed, LinkedIn, or an industry-specific job board.

Advertising Duration

Each advertisement must run for a minimum of four weeks (28 days). The advertising must have been conducted within the four months prior to lodging the nomination application.

Required Content in Advertisements

The advertisements must include specific information to be considered compliant:

• The title of the position matching the nominated occupation
• A description of the role and its key duties
• The skills and experience required
• The annual salary or salary range (must meet TSMIT)
• The location of the position
• The name of the employer or recruitment agency

Common LMT Mistakes

We frequently see employers make errors that render their labour market testing non-compliant. These include:

• Advertising for less than 28 days on each platform
• Using a job title that does not match the nominated ANZSCO occupation
• Failing to include the salary or salary range in the advertisement
• Advertising only on social media or the company website (these do not satisfy the requirements on their own)
• Advertising outside the four-month window before nomination lodgement
• Tailoring the advertisement with overly specific requirements that exclude Australian applicants

How We Help

Our LMT assistance service ensures your advertising is fully compliant before you spend money on nomination fees and the SAF levy. We provide:

Advertising Guidance

We draft compliant job advertisements that meet all Department requirements while still accurately representing the role. We advise on the best platforms for your industry and occupation.

Evidence Collection

We guide you on what evidence to collect during the advertising period, including screenshots with dates, PDF records of the advertisements, and records of applications received and how they were assessed.

Compliance Review

Before nomination lodgement, we review all LMT evidence to confirm it meets every requirement. If there are gaps, we identify them early so they can be addressed before the nomination is at risk.

Submission Preparation

We prepare a detailed LMT submission to accompany the nomination application, clearly presenting the evidence and demonstrating that genuine efforts were made to recruit locally.

LMT Exemptions

Some nominations are exempt from LMT requirements. Exemptions may apply in cases where an International Trade Obligation (ITO) exists, where the occupation is on a specific exemption list, or where a labour agreement is in place. We can advise whether an exemption applies to your situation.