Labour Market Testing (LMT) Report: A Mandatory Step for Subclass 482 Nominations
When sponsoring a foreign national under the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requires evidence that no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident was available to fill the nominated position. This process is called Labour Market Testing (LMT)—and it must be documented properly to meet legislative requirements.
At Sublime International, we specialise in preparing detailed, fully compliant Labour Market Testing Reports that support your nomination and reduce the risk of refusal.
What Is Labour Market Testing?
Labour Market Testing is the process by which an employer demonstrates that genuine efforts were made to recruit an Australian worker for the position before turning to overseas talent. It applies to most occupations under the Subclass 482 visa stream unless exempt under international trade obligations.
To satisfy LMT requirements, the employer must show that:
- At least two valid job advertisements were posted
- The ads were published within the 4-month window before lodging the nomination
- The ads ran for at least 28 consecutive days
- The role, duties, salary, and skill requirements were clearly specified
- Only one application from an Australian citizen or permanent resident was received—or none
The LMT requirement ensures that sponsoring a foreign worker is a last resort, not the default approach.
When Is LMT Required?
LMT is required for the majority of occupations nominated under the Subclass 482 visa. Exceptions apply only where:
- International trade agreements provide exemptions (e.g., certain Free Trade Agreement partner countries)
- The position is on a designated list of occupations not subject to testing
- The nomination falls under a labour agreement with different terms
Even in exempt cases, it is considered best practice to prepare documentation showing efforts to recruit locally, especially when refusal risk must be minimised.
What Does a Strong LMT Report Include?
At Sublime International, our Labour Market Testing Reports include:
1. Overview of the Recruitment Campaign
- Position title and ANZSCO code
- Advertising strategy and platform selection
- Duration of ad placement and ad screenshots
2. Summary of Applications Received
- Total number of applicants
- Number of Australian citizens or permanent residents
- Reasons for non-selection (e.g., insufficient qualifications, lack of relevant work rights)
3. Copy of Advertisements
- Screenshots from all job boards with ad content and posting dates
- Archived links, if applicable
4. Compliance Checklist
- Confirmation that advertisements meet all DHA criteria
- Placement platforms (at least one national employment platform and optionally the business’s website or social media)
- Timing of the advertising relative to nomination date
Each LMT report is structured in a way that allows migration agents and case officers to verify compliance quickly and with confidence.
Common Compliance Pitfalls
LMT is often refused due to errors such as:
- Posting ads for fewer than 28 days
- Advertising on non-compliant platforms
- Omitting key role details such as salary or required experience
- Failing to retain proof of the advertisement (screenshots, links, posting history)
- Ignoring the 4-month advertising window prior to nomination lodgement
Our documentation process is designed to prevent each of these common issues and ensure full alignment with DHA expectations.
Our LMT Reporting Service
Sublime International provides end-to-end LMT documentation support. Our reports are:
- Customised to each employer and occupation
- Aligned with the most current DHA LMT legislative instrument
- Delivered within 2–5 business days (faster turnaround available)
- Reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and completeness
We work exclusively with Australian immigration lawyers and registered employers to ensure every case we support is compliant, defensible, and nomination-ready.
Pricing
Our standard charge for a complete, fully compliant Labour Market Testing Report is:
AUD 475 / INR 26,650
This includes:
- Collection and formatting of ad evidence
- Analysis of recruitment responses
- DHA-aligned structuring
- Unlimited revisions if required
Discounted pricing is available for volume-based clients such as migration agents and law firms.
Conclusion
The Labour Market Testing Report is a foundational document in the Subclass 482 nomination process. Poorly prepared or incomplete LMT documentation is one of the most common reasons for nomination refusal.
At Sublime International, we help you avoid that outcome with clear, detailed, and policy-compliant reports prepared by specialists who understand every nuance of the LMT requirement.
If you need to lodge a nomination soon or want to ensure that your recruitment efforts meet current standards, contact our team today. We’re here to make the documentation process faster, easier, and more reliable.