What the Labour Market Needs Test proves
The Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) shows the Department that you advertised the role and couldn't fill it from within the EEA before applying for a permit. It applies to most General Employment Permit roles; Critical Skills roles are exempt.
Where and how long you advertise
The role must be advertised across the required channels — the Department's employment services / EURES portal, and additional national advertising — for the specified period, with the advert wording matching the permit application. Timing matters: the permit must be applied for within a set window after the advertising.
- Advertise on the required government / EURES channel and additional national media.
- Run the advert for the full required period — don't cut it short.
- Keep the wording, salary and hours consistent with the permit application.
- File the permit within the allowed window after advertising ends.
How Recruitroo runs the LMNT
We launch compliant advertising, track the advertising window, and record the evidence so it's ready to submit alongside the permit — removing the most common cause of a restarted or refused application.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you have to advertise for the Labour Market Needs Test?
The role has to be advertised for a set minimum period across the required channels before you apply, and the permit must then be filed within a defined window. We run and time this for you so the evidence lines up with the application.
Which roles are exempt from the Labour Market Needs Test?
Critical Skills Employment Permit roles are exempt, along with some specific categories. We confirm whether your role needs an LMNT before any advertising starts.
What happens if the advertising is done wrong?
Getting the channel, duration, wording or timing wrong is the most common reason an application is delayed or has to restart. Running it correctly the first time typically saves weeks, which is exactly what our managed workflow is built to do.
Last reviewed: 16 July 2026. This guide is general information for employers, not legal advice — final decisions rest with DETE.
Sources: Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE).