Research and Development Manager
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$162,900
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates research and development activities within an organisation.
Alternative titles
R & D Manager
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Develops and implements research project strategies, priorities and targets to support commercial and policy developments
- Leads major research projects and coordinates activities of other research workers
- Assesses the benefits and monitors the costs and effectiveness of research and development activities
- Interprets results of research projects, and recommends associated product and service development innovations
- Provides advice on research and development options available to the organisation
- Monitors leading-edge developments in relevant disciplines and assesses implications for the organisation
- May publish results of significant research projects
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management
Progression pathway
Diploma of Leadership and Management
Specialised training
Advanced Diploma of Program Management
Specialised training
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
14
ACT · May 2026
5
VIC · May 2026
31
NT · May 2026
0
SA · May 2026
7
NSW · May 2026
48
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+13%
2,536 projected jobs
to 2035
+23%
4,511 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Research and Development Manager.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - Inner
1,601 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - Inner
1,601 employed
VIC
-4.47%
year on year
- 2
Australian Capital Territory
1,137 employed
ACT
+48.24%
year on year
- 3
Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
932 employed
NSW
+10.95%
year on year
- 4
Brisbane Inner City
881 employed
QLD
+15.31%
year on year
- 5
Sydney - City and Inner South
863 employed
NSW
+6.41%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
10,525
Moved in from another occupation
1,260
Moved to another occupation
945
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 111531
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.