Labour Market Testing in 2025: Updated Employer Guide

Labour Market Testing (LMT) is required for many employer-sponsored visas in 2025. Here’s what businesses need to know about advertising rules and common mistakes.

Quick Answer

Labour Market Testing (LMT) requires employers to advertise a role to local candidates before sponsoring an overseas worker. In 2025, ads must meet strict rules on where, how long, and what details are included. Mistakes in LMT are a leading cause of 482 and 494 visa refusals.

What Is Labour Market Testing?

It’s the government’s way of ensuring local workers get first chance at a job before it’s offered to an overseas worker. Certain countries of passport may be exempted from the need to undergo advertising based on Australia’s international trade obligations.

Key Rules in 2025

• Ads must run for at least 4 weeks.
• At least two platforms must be used with full national reach (e.g. SEEK, Indeed, company website). General classifieds websites or social media cannot be accepted.
• Ads must include: job title, the fact it will be full time, employer name, and – in most cases – an explicit salary range, depending on the remuneration package that would realistically be offered.
• Ads must be published within the last 4 months before lodging the nomination.

Common Employer Mistakes

• Salary missing or listed as “competitive”.
• Ads run for less than 28 days.
• Using social media only.
• Re-using old ads that have expired.

Why It Matters

If LMT is not done properly:

• The nomination may be refused.
• You’ll need to restart the process, costing time and money.

Need help preparing LMT ads that meet the rules?

Seven Corp can review your advertising and keep your nomination on track.

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