Labour Market Testing for the 482 Visa: Rules and How to Do It
Labour Market Testing (LMT) is an important requirement in the 482 visa nomination process. An employer must prove it searched for Australian workers before sponsoring an overseas worker — and it must do so correctly for the Department to accept it.
What is LMT?
Labour Market Testing is the process an employer must carry out before a nomination, to demonstrate that it has:
- Actively advertised the role in the Australian labour market
- Been unable to find a suitably qualified Australian worker
- Therefore needs to recruit an overseas worker on a 482 visa
LMT applies to the Core Skills Stream of the 482 visa (most cases).
LMT exemptions
Some cases are exempt from LMT:
- Specialist Skills Stream: a salary above $135,000 per year (the 2024 threshold) — no LMT needed
- International Trade Obligation (ITO): businesses within the scope of free trade agreements with Australia (for example the CPTPP, AUSFTA)
- Labour Agreement Stream: specific rules under each agreement
Check carefully whether your case falls within an exemption before carrying out LMT.
Advertising requirements
Duration: At least four weeks (28 days) of advertising within the four months before the nomination is lodged.
Required platforms (at least one):
- Seek (seek.com.au)
- Indeed
- LinkedIn (a paid or promoted listing — not a free one)
- Another reputable professional job website
Additional recommended platforms (not required but better):
- The business’s own website
- Seek Premium, LinkedIn Recruiter
- Industry-specific job boards
Note: the advertisement must accurately describe the position, with the correct ANZSCO code and the correct salary or salary range.
Records to keep
The Department may request LMT evidence at any time. You need to keep:
- Screenshots of the advertisements (with the URL, posting date, and expiry date)
- Applicant statistics: the number of applicants, classified by nationality or PR status
- Interview records: who was interviewed, the results, and the reasons for not hiring
- A summary of why no suitable Australian applicant could be found
Common LMT mistakes
- Advertising for less than four weeks
- Advertising too far from the nomination lodgement date (more than four months before)
- Vague position descriptions, or descriptions that do not match reality
- Unrealistic skill requirements (designed so no Australian could meet them — the Department may refuse this)
- Failing to keep enough evidence
Honest LMT matters
The Department considers the quality of LMT, not just the quantity. Advertising with unreasonable requirements to screen out Australian applicants is conduct that can lead to refusal of the nomination and a review of the SBS.