If you’re feeling whiplash from the SAP market lately, you’re not alone. In our latest Q3 FY25 SAP Market Report Webinar, Sara de Cruz and Chay Walbeoff pulled back the curtain on what’s really happening across Australia’s SAP landscape-and why both clients and candidates need to get ready for a wild ride ahead.
The Market: From Boom to Bumpy
The last two years have been anything but predictable. After the post-COVID hiring frenzy, the SAP market hit a correction. Budgets tightened, projects paused, and the “steady rise” everyone hoped for just didn’t happen. As Sara put it, “We’re not cooking with gas-we’re gently simmering.” Confidence is returning, but the market is still finding its feet.
S/4HANA: The Backlog Nobody’s Talking About
Here’s a stat that raised eyebrows: Of the 37 SAP customers expected to start S/4HANA migrations in 2024, only five actually did. That means a huge backlog is building. The conversation at the C-level has shifted from “Why migrate?” to “How do we migrate?”-and now, the planning bottleneck is about to burst. SAP Australia just had one of its best sales quarters in years, and consultancies are quietly gearing up for a surge in demand.
Translation:
If you thought the S/4HANA wave had already hit, think again. The real action is coming, and it’s going to be big.
Hiring: The Fast and the Frustrated
One theme came through loud and clear: bloated hiring processes are costing companies their best talent. More interviews, more approvals, more delays-meanwhile, top SAP professionals are getting snapped up by faster-moving competitors.
Sara’s advice? “If you find the right candidate, don’t shop around. Move fast, or you’ll lose them.” And don’t expect a bargain either-contractor rates are rising, and paying a little extra now could save you a lot of pain later.
For Employers: Get Your House in Order
Streamline your hiring: Give feedback within 48 hours, book interviews fast, and have all approvals ready before you go to market.
Don’t risk your reputation: Poor candidate experiences are turning people off, even in a tough market.
Pay what it takes: The cost of missing out on the right person-or hiring the wrong one-far outweighs a slightly higher daily rate.
For Candidates: Opportunity Is Coming
It’s been a tough slog, but the tide is turning. With so many S/4HANA projects still in the pipeline, demand for SAP talent is set to surge. Be ready, stay visible, and don’t be discouraged by the current lull-the next wave of opportunities is just around the corner.
The Bottom Line
The SAP market in Australia is on the brink of a major hiring surge. Whether you’re looking to build your team or land your next contract, now’s the time to get organised, move quickly, and stay ahead of the curve. The next three years are going to be huge. Are you ready?
Missed the live session?
Catch the full Q3 FY25 SAP Market Report Webinar recording on YouTube and get all the insights straight from Sara and Chay: Watch the recording below.
Want more insights or help navigating the SAP talent market? Get in touch with the Precision Sourcing team today.
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