Migrate to Australia as Supply and Distribution Manager (ANZSCO 133611) — 2026 Pathway

Supply and Distribution Manager sits on both the STSOL and CSOL. The federal data file for ANZSCO 133611 confirms five open channels: Subclass 190, 491, 186 Direct Entry, 494, and 482 Core Skills. The named assessor is Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML) — not VETASSESS.

What's not available: Subclass 189 — closed because 133611 is not on MLTSSL.

This guide walks through each open pathway, the IML Manager Skills Assessment, and a realistic timeline.

Open pathways at a glance

Pathway 1 — Subclass 186 Direct Entry (fastest to PR)

Subclass 186 Direct Entry is direct PR via an employer sponsor. Requirements:

• Positive IML Manager Skills Assessment
• Competent English (IELTS 6 each band, OET / PTE / TOEFL / CAE equivalent)
• Under 45 at lodgement (limited exemptions)
• At least three years post-qualification work experience
• Employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor
• Employer nomination citing ANZSCO 133611 with annual salary above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold

Realistic 186 Direct Entry sponsors include national logistics operators (Toll, Linfox, K&S, BlueScope Distribution), retailers with their own supply chain (Woolworths, Coles, Bunnings, IKEA, Officeworks), 3PL operators (DHL, Kuehne+Nagel, CEVA), and distribution-heavy manufacturers and FMCG groups.

Pathway 2 — Subclass 190 (state-nominated PR)

Subclass 190 is direct PR with state nomination adding 5 points. Requirements:

• Positive IML assessment
• Competent English
• Under 45 at lodgement
• Points score (typically 80-90+ once state nomination is included)
• State nomination — confirm against live state portals

Pathway 3 — Subclass 491 (regional provisional → 191 PR)

Subclass 491 is provisional for five years. After three years of regional work meeting the Skilled Regional Visa Holder Income Threshold, you transition to Subclass 191 for PR.

Pathway 4 — Subclass 494 (employer-sponsored regional)

Subclass 494 is the regional cousin of 482 → employer-sponsored, regional postcode, converts to 191 after three years.

Pathway 5 — Subclass 482 Core Skills

Subclass 482 is up to four years employer-sponsored. After 24 months with the same sponsor, you can transition to Subclass 186 TRT for PR if you are under 45.

What ANZSCO 133611 covers

Supply and Distribution Manager is a function-level management code. Typical roles:

• Supply chain manager
• Distribution centre manager
• Warehouse and transport manager
• Procurement and supply manager
• 3PL operations manager
• National logistics manager

The Australian Bureau of Statistics task profile covers:

• Determining inventory and distribution requirements
• Negotiating with suppliers and freight providers
• Managing warehouse operations — site layout, picking and packing systems, stocktake controls
• Managing transport — fleet, contractors, route planning, dispatch
• Setting and controlling service levels — DIFOT, OTIF, fill rates
• Managing the function's P&L — labour, freight, storage, capex
• Ensuring Safe Work Australia compliance and chain-of-custody / dangerous goods rules where relevant

The IML Manager Skills Assessment

IML — Institute of Managers and Leaders — is the named assessor for ANZSCO 133611. The Manager Skills Assessment (MSA) is materially different from a VETASSESS Group A assessment:

• Qualification review — bachelor degree at AQF Bachelor or higher in a relevant field (business, commerce, supply chain management, logistics, engineering, MBA)
• Managerial competency review — IML reviews evidence against competencies including strategic thinking, leadership, financial acumen, supplier and stakeholder management
• Reference letters — multiple referees confirming managerial duties, ideally including direct reports' counter-signatures
• Continuing professional development — IML places weight on ongoing CPD (industry memberships, professional certifications such as APICS CPIM, CSCP, or CIPS)

For the evidence pack and rejection patterns, read our Supply and Distribution Manager skills assessment guide.

Realistic timeline

• 186 Direct Entry: 6-18 months from IML lodgement to grant if employer is set up
• 190 (state-nominated PR): ~12-24 months end-to-end
• 491 (regional provisional → 191 PR): ~60 months end-to-end
• 494 (employer-sponsored regional → 191 PR): ~60 months end-to-end
• 482 → 186 TRT: ~30-36 months end-to-end

Verify processing time bands on the global visa processing times tool before quoting any specific number.

Costs at a glance

For a typical 186 Direct Entry pathway with a family of three:

• IML Manager Skills Assessment: AUD ~1,200-1,500 per the IML migration page
• 186 visa fee (primary): AUD 4,910
• Health, police, English: AUD 1,050
• Employer SAF levy: AUD 5,000 one-off (large business) or AUD 3,000 (small business)

Read the breakdown in our Supply and Distribution Manager cost and timeline case study. Use the visa fee calculator to model dependants.

Common mistakes

• Choosing VETASSESS instead of IML. 133611 is an IML occupation. A VETASSESS application would be returned. Always check the named assessor in the federal data file.
• Confusing 133611 (Supply & Distribution Manager) with 133312 (Wholesaler) or 133612 (Procurement Manager). All three are in the unit group 1336/1333 area but have different scopes. Pick the code matching your actual function.
• Lodging 189 EOIs. 133611 is on STSOL/CSOL only — 189 is closed.
• Confusing with Production Supervisor (312911) or Logistics Clerk roles. Those are different codes at lower skill levels.

Tools

• Eligibility wizard — quick scan of which visa streams might fit
• ANZSCO search — confirm 133611 vs 133612 / 133312
• Document checklist — for IML + visa application
• Visa fee calculator — model fees for 186, 190, 491, 494, or 482
• Invitation rounds tracker — for state nomination round context

To verify any migration agent advising you, search the MARA register.

Next step

Supply chain management track record and a target Australian region in mind? Start with the eligibility wizard. Book a 30-minute free strategy call to map your specific pathway.