What is Labour Market Testing (LMT)?
Labour Market Testing (LMT) is a mandatory requirement for most Subclass 482, 494 and 186 visa nominations. Before sponsoring an overseas worker, Australian employers must demonstrate genuine efforts to find a suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident first.
LMT requires:
- Advertising on at least two appropriate platforms
- Running the advertisement for a minimum of 28 days
- Keeping records of all applicants and outcomes
- Providing a formal evidence report with the nomination
Failure to meet LMT requirements is one of the most common causes of nomination refusal. Getting it right the first time is critical.
Who Needs Labour Market Testing?
LMT is required for:
- Employers sponsoring under Subclass 482 (TSS)
- Employers sponsoring under Subclass 494 (SSESR)
- Employers nominating under Subclass 186 (ENS) Direct Entry stream
- Migration agents managing nominations on behalf of employers
LMT is NOT required if:
- The nominee is a citizen of a country with a Free Trade Agreement with Australia — including USA, UK, China, Japan and South Korea
- The position is on the International Trade Obligations (ITO) list
- The nominee is being sponsored by the same employer under an existing visa
Not sure if LMT applies to your nomination? Contact us for a free assessment.
What’s Included in Widen’s LMT Service?
For $990 inc. GST we handle the entire LMT process from start to finish:
- Initial consultation to confirm LMT requirements apply
- Professional LMT-compliant job advertisement written by our team
- Job ad provided ready for employer to post on Seek.com.au and Indeed.com.au
- 28-day campaign management and tracking
- Applicant log maintained throughout the campaign
- Legally defensible outcome reasons documented for each applicant
- Department-ready evidence report generated at day 28
- Report reviewed by MARA-registered agent (MARN 1576536)
- Report delivered ready to attach to nomination lodgement
Why choose Widen?
Unlike generic LMT tools, every campaign managed by Widen is overseen by Keshab Chapagain, a MARA-registered migration agent with over 8 years experience. We understand exactly what case officers look for and build every report to withstand Department scrutiny.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Full LMT Service — $990 inc. GST
One flat fee covers everything. The employer posts ads directly on Seek and Indeed using their own accounts — no agency markup on advertising costs, full transparency.
- Professional LMT-compliant job advertisement
- Ad copy ready to post on Seek.com.au and Indeed.com.au
- 28-day campaign management and applicant tracking
- Legally defensible outcome reasons for each applicant
- Department-ready evidence report
- Reviewed and delivered by MARA-registered agent MARN 1576536
$990 inc. GST. Flat fee. No hidden charges. Nothing else to pay.
What Happens When LMT Goes Wrong?
| LMT Requirement | ❌ Done Wrong | ✅ Widen Does It Right |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising platforms | Wrong or unaccepted platforms | Seek + Indeed — both Department-accepted |
| Ad duration | Less than 28 days — instant refusal | Full 28-day campaign, tracked daily |
| Job ad content | Missing salary, duties or sponsor name | Fully compliant ad written by our team |
| Applicant records | No log kept — application refused | Every applicant logged with outcome reasons |
| Evidence report | Informal or incomplete — triggers RFI | Department-ready report reviewed by MARA agent |
| Timing | Ads expired more than 4 months before lodgement | Campaign timed within the 4-month window |
| Outcome | Nomination refused — SAF levy lost | Decision-ready nomination lodgement |
⚠️ Important: A nomination refusal means the employer loses the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy — which can be thousands of dollars — with no refund. Getting LMT right the first time is not optional.
How It Works
Step 1 — Enquire: Complete our enquiry form below. We will confirm whether LMT applies to your nomination and provide next steps within 1 business day.
Step 2 — Engage and Pay: Accept our service agreement and pay the $990 inc. GST fee via invoice.
Step 3 — Complete the Brief: We send you a secure link to complete a detailed campaign brief with all job and employer information. Takes approximately 10 minutes.
Step 4 — Job Ad Created: We write your compliant job advertisement and send it ready to post on Seek.com.au and Indeed.com.au. The employer posts on both platforms using their own accounts. Your 28-day campaign starts once both ads are confirmed live.
Step 5 — 28-Day Campaign: We manage the campaign, track all applicants and document outcomes throughout the 28-day period. You receive email updates at day 14, 21 and 28.
Step 6 — Evidence Report: At day 28 we generate your professional evidence report, review it as a MARA-registered agent and deliver it ready for nomination lodgement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LMT mandatory for all sponsorship nominations?
LMT is mandatory for most Subclass 482, 494 and 186 nominations. Exemptions apply for citizens of certain Free Trade Agreement countries and positions on the ITO list. We can confirm whether LMT applies to your specific nomination during the initial consultation.
What platforms do you advertise on?
We prepare compliant job advertisements for posting on Seek.com.au and Indeed.com.au — both nationally accessible platforms accepted by the Department of Home Affairs. The employer posts the ads directly using their own accounts, ensuring authenticity and avoiding any agency markup on advertising costs.
How long does LMT take?
The minimum advertising period is 28 days. Allow approximately 4–5 weeks from engagement to receiving your final evidence report.
What if a suitable Australian candidate applies?
All applications must be genuinely considered. If a suitably qualified Australian citizen or permanent resident applies and is available for the role, the employer is required to offer them the position before proceeding with sponsorship. We will advise you on this throughout the campaign.
Can migration agents use this service for their clients?
Yes — we work with migration agents across Australia. We manage the entire LMT process on behalf of the agent’s employer client. The final report is delivered to the agent for nomination lodgement. Strict confidentiality is maintained throughout.
Is the evidence report accepted by the Department of Home Affairs?
The Department does not prescribe a specific report format. They require evidence of genuine advertising on appropriate platforms for 28 days with documented applicant outcomes. Our report is structured to clearly demonstrate compliance with Migration Regulation 2.72C.
How much does it cost?
Our full LMT service is $990 inc. GST — flat fee, no hidden charges. The employer pays Seek and Indeed directly for their job postings. Our fee covers the job ad writing, campaign management, applicant tracking and final compliance report.
How do I get started?
Complete the enquiry form below. We will confirm whether LMT applies to your nomination and get back to you within 1 business day.
Get Started — Free LMT Assessment
Complete the form below and we will confirm whether LMT applies to your nomination and provide next steps within 1 business day.