Can I Get Sponsored to Work in Freight Forwarding in Australia?
(Here’s the Reality No One Tells You)
If we had a dollar for every message we get from international freight professionals wanting to relocate to Australia… well, we’d be doing alright.
And the #1 question is always the same:
“Can I get a visa sponsorship?”
The truth? It’s not impossible — but it is hard.
Here’s what you need to know:
✈️ Why Employer Sponsorship Is Rare in Freight Forwarding
Most freight forwarding roles in Australia:
Don’t meet visa skill requirements
Aren’t eligible under most sponsorship pathways
Come with employer hesitation due to cost, compliance, and red tape
Some businesses do sponsor — but only when they’re desperate to fill a role they can’t find talent for locally (e.g., niche experience, systems knowledge, or hard-to-fill locations).
🚢 Skilled Migration: Independent But Limited
There are a few visas that don’t require an employer:
189 Skilled Independent Visa – Very limited logistics roles qualify
190 Skilled Nominated Visa – Requires state nomination
491 Skilled Work Regional Visa – Only if you work in a regional area
For most BDMs, ops coordinators, or sales reps… these aren’t viable.
🚚 The Best Option? Working Holiday Visas
If you’re under 35, this is your best shot:
417 or 462 Working Holiday Visas = Fast approval + work rights
You can work for 6 months per employer (some can extend that)
It builds local experience — and that’s the key to eventual sponsorship
Many companies are more open to sponsoring once you’re already in the country, adding value.
📚 Post-Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
If you’re open to studying in Australia:
Graduate visas give you 2–4 years of unrestricted work rights
No sponsorship needed
Great way to get local experience, improve your resume, and build connections
Not many talk about this route — but it’s worked for several candidates we’ve met.
🧠 What You Should Really Know
Sponsorships aren’t a given — even if you’re experienced
The younger and more flexible you are, the better your chances
Australian experience matters — even 6 months can make a huge difference
If you want it, get here on your own visa if possible, prove yourself, and then pursue sponsorship
👋 Final Thoughts
We’re not here to sugarcoat it — it’s hard.
But it’s not impossible.
If you’re serious about working in freight forwarding in Australia, do your research, get creative with your visa options, and make yourself visible to employers and recruiters (like us 👋).