Australia continues to experience strong demand for skilled professionals in Supply Chain and Procurement — two critical functions driving business resilience, cost optimisation, and operational efficiency. For experienced professionals seeking to build their careers in Australia, both Supply Chain Analyst (ANZSCO 224714) and Procurement Manager (ANZSCO 133612) are officially recognised occupations on the Skills in Demand list, opening multiple visa sponsorship and migration pathways.

Whether you’re looking to secure a sponsored role or plan your move independently, understanding the step-by-step process is essential to ensure your profile aligns with Australian standards and employer expectations.

1. Recognised Occupations

2. Step-by-Step Process for Overseas Candidates (Without Sponsorship Yet)

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Review the ANZSCO occupation description to ensure your background aligns with the duties.
You’ll need relevant qualifications (degree-level or higher) and professional experience:
Supply Chain Analyst: Degree in supply chain, logistics, or business + 1–3 years’ post-graduate experience.
Procurement Manager: Degree in business, commerce, or supply chain + 3–5 years’ senior experience leading procurement or sourcing functions.

Step 2: Obtain a Skills Assessment

Before applying for a visa or sponsorship, you’ll need a Skills Assessment confirming your education and experience align with Australian standards.

Step 3: Meet English Language Requirements

You’ll need an approved English test result such as:

IELTS: Minimum 6.0 in each band (higher is better for permanent visas)
PTE Academic, TOEFL, or OET are also accepted.

Step 4: Build an Australian-Ready Profile

Create a CV in Australian format (achievement-focused, concise).
Update LinkedIn and set your status to “Open to work in Australia.”
Gather references and document key results.
Start targeting employers in supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, FMCG, or consulting sectors.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Employer

Search for companies that mention “482 visa sponsorship available” via:

LinkedIn, SEEK, Indeed, GlobalTalent, or local recruiters.
You can also check the Department of Home Affairs list of approved sponsors.

Tip: Mid-tier and regional employers often sponsor candidates with niche or leadership experience.

Step 6: Once Sponsorship is Offered

Your employer will:

1. Lodge a nomination with the Department of Home Affairs.
2. You’ll then lodge your visa application, providing:

Positive skills assessment
English test result
Health & police checks
Verified work and qualification documents

Processing time: 4–6 months
Visa fees: Around AUD $3,000 (main applicant)

Step 7: Future Permanent Pathways

Once working in Australia, you may be eligible to transition to:

186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa (PR)
494 → 191 Regional pathway to PR
Or points-tested visas like 189, 190, or 491 if eligible.

Important Disclaimer

We’re not migration experts. The information above is based on publicly available sources (including the Australian Department of Home Affairs and skills assessment bodies).

Visa rules and eligibility criteria change frequently — please speak with a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer for professional advice tailored to your circumstances.

Opinion piece

Most companies will almost always look locally first before considering overseas talent. Global searches tend to be ad-hoc — often only initiated after lengthy, unsuccessful attempts to find someone domestically.

It’s not impossible for overseas applicants to secure work, but the reality is that migrants dramatically improve their chances if they can find their own way to Australia first.

Even then, many still struggle. We’ve all seen skilled engineers driving Ubers, supply chain leaders taking generalist warehouse roles, and experienced analysts working far below their capability — not because they lack skill, but because they lack “local experience,” networks, or permanent residency.

The truth is, opportunity often depends less on ability and more on accessibility, and that’s a hard pill to swallow in a market that claims to be short on talent.