Confidence has surged back into the SAP market, and both the data and live insights from the latest Q2 FY26 SAP Market Report Webinar paint the same picture: activity is rising, programs are moving, and hiring behavior is shifting fast. After a turbulent 2025, organisations across Australia are stepping into 2026 with renewed energy, and with consultancies and end clients now building capability, the next 12 months look busy.
Market Momentum: What the Placement Mix Tells Us
Historically, the split between contract and permanent placements is a reliable indicator of market sentiment. In boom times, permanent hiring can reach ~50%. In Q2 FY2026, only 12% of placements were permanent, signalling lingering hesitation despite rising activity. However, as the year closed, 55% of vacancies being permanent pointed to a bullish start to 2026, driven largely by consultancies rebuilding delivery capability ahead of anticipated growth. Overall sentiment: optimistic, with a clear upward trajectory.
How Organisations Are Approaching S/4HANA
There’s no “one size fits all” path to S/4HANA. A review of 25 recent client meetings shows a spread of approaches:
- Brownfield: 53.3%
- Greenfield: 40.0%
- Bluefield: 6.7%
Across programs, themes include cost sensitivity, resistance to change, and risk aversion shaping decisions and timelines.
Rates and Market Movement
Quarterly rate movements remain modest:
- SAP roles: plus 0.74%
- Technology overall: plus 0.64%
- Data: minus 0.32%
These increases are driven by early demand signals rather than a lack of talent. Clients currently have stronger control over rates but upward pressure is increasing as programs move from planning into build.
Skills in Demand (Right Now)
Demand continues to grow – nudging rates up only marginally – but the spike is notable across several roles:
- SAP Functional Consultants (Finance, SCM, EWM, HCM/SuccessFactors)
- Solution Architects
- Project Managers
Recent placements highlight traction in SAP TM, Analytics (SAC), ECP/SuccessFactors, Business Analysis, Cutover Management, Ariba, EPPM, and HCM—with both contract and permanent opportunities active.
Candidate Playbook: Win the Roles You Want
- Stay flexible on rates, salaries, and hybrid work; rigidity can rule you out.
- Prioritise relationship‑building and push for face‑to‑face interviews – conversion rates are materially higher.
- Hiring doesn’t stop over the holidays. Keep networking; many organisations are in late‑stage planning and hiring volumes will spike.
- Use your time wisely and be patient – wait for the right role, not just the first.
- Leverage your network and recruiters for sense‑checks and opportunities after a busy year “on the tools.”
Hiring Manager Playbook: Secure Top Talent, Fast
- Don’t assume the holiday period is quiet – strong candidates are active now.
- Be flexible on hybrid models and salary expectations.
- Stop searching for unicorns. A candidate who meets 70–80% of your criteria is an A‑grade hire.
- Have approvals finalised before going to market – delays cause candidate loss.
- Move quickly and keep interview stages lean: 1–2 for contracts and a max of 2–3 for permanent roles, building trust over “extra interviews.”
Outlook for Q3 FY2026 and Beyond
The outlook for 2026 is very positive:
- Discovery phases moving into build will drive a major ramp‑up.
- Tier‑1 and tier‑2 consultancies are rebuilding delivery teams – expect significant hiring.
- There’s enough work for everyone, with the market shifting from client‑driven to candidate‑driven – making flexibility and retention plans essential.
- More senior consultants and project leaders are planning retirement, likely creating a resource shortage – succession planning will matter.
Learning & Adoption: WalkMe and the Future of SAP Training
SAP Australia is spotlighting WalkMe, the Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) that brings in‑app guidance and automation directly into SAP apps like S/4HANA, SuccessFactors, Fiori, and Ariba – reducing training time, boosting adoption, and lifting productivity. Free WalkMe certifications are being rolled out for SAP Training Leads and Consultants across Australia, available via SAP Learning Hub or through a certification voucher.
Final Take
Q2 FY2026 marks a turning point: confidence is back, programs are progressing, and hiring is accelerating. Candidates who stay flexible and invest in relationships will stand out, while hiring managers who streamline processes and broaden fit criteria will secure the talent they need. With adoption tools like WalkMe gaining traction and wellbeing placed firmly on the agenda, 2026 is set to be a strong year across the SAP ecosystem.
Missed the live session?
Catch the full Q2 FY26 SAP Market Report Webinar recording on YouTube and get all the insights straight from Abby & Seb: Watch the recording below.
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