Research and Development Managers
ANZSCO Code: 132511 / Group B
Research and Development Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, leading, controlling, and coordinating research and development activities in an organization.

Occupation Descriptions
Occupation description
Research and Development Managers are in charge of planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and coordinating research and development activities within an organization.
Occupations not considered suitable under this ANZSCO code:
- Market Research Analyst
- Policy and Planning Manager
- University Lecturer (including Research Associate/Research Fellow)
- Health Information Manager (Clinical Trial Data Manager)
These occupations fall under different categories in the ANZSCO classification.
Research and Development Manager is categorized as a Group B occupation by VETASSESS.

To qualify for this occupation, applicants must have a qualification assessed as equivalent to an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher.
There are several pathways to meet the assessment criteria:
If employment starts before completing the required qualification, applicants need at least one year of highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level within the last five years. Additional relevant experience can be within the past ten years.
Both the qualification level and the duration of employment must receive a positive assessment for a favorable Skills Assessment outcome.
Group B Previous
Additional qualifications in a highly relevant field of study include those comparable to the following levels:
- AQF Diploma
- AQF Advanced Diploma
- AQF Associate Degree or AQF Graduate Diploma
Bachelor degree or higher degree includes:
AQF Master Degree or AQF Doctoral Degree
Highly relevant paid employment duration (20 hours or more per week)
1-3 years:
You need at least one to three years of highly relevant work experience at the right skill level, completed within the five years before applying for a Skills Assessment.
4 years:
You need at least four years of relevant work experience. This includes three years of relevant experience, which can be from more than five years ago, and at least one year of highly relevant experience within the last five years before applying.
Qualification and Employment Criteria
Qualification
AQF Bachelor degree or higher degree
This occupation requires a qualification in a field highly relevant to the specialized area of research and development activities. Typically, these qualifications emphasize strong research capabilities.
Qualifications assessed at AQF Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral levels are considered.
Examples of highly relevant majors include (but are not limited to):
- Science
- Engineering
- Materials Science
- Agriculture
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Medical Science
- Textiles
- Aeronautical Science
- Computer Science
- Technology (Building Technology, Food Technology, DNA Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Communication Technology, Educational Technology)

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Employment
Important tasks include:
- Planning, implementing, and overseeing strategies, policies, and plans for research and development.
- Creating and managing research projects, goals, and objectives to support business and policy development.
- Leading large-scale research projects and coordinating the work of other researchers.
- Assessment of the advantages and control of the expenses and efficiency regarding the strategic research and development activities undertaken.
- Execute analysis of imaginative work in research projects and prepare suggestions for new or updated products and services.
- Offer advice concerning the research and development projects provided by the company.
- Survey the current progress on pertinent topics and analyze their applicability concerning the organization.
- Publish results about important project works and other significant research activities, if applicable.
Other duties might include but are not limited to:
- Direct supervision over a group of employees.
- The appointment of new personnel and their evaluation.
- The management of finances.
- Drafting reports for other executives.
- Observance of legal requirements relevant to the protection of health and safety.
Employment information
What is Research and Development?
The phrase “Research and Development” or “R&D” refers to the processes where people, money, and effort are put into studying and inventing new technologies. The purpose is to improve the currently provided products or services, invent new ones, and find more effective methods of doing things. The different R&D activities are planned and controlled by R&D Managers in a company or organization.
What does an R&D Manager do?
In an organization, R&D Managers commonly initiate the development of new products and programs and manage them through all phases until they are ready for their production or proper use. They need to look for wasteful areas and try to control all suspiciously high costs relative to the proposed results. R&D Managers control innovation projects from the beginning to the end. They ensure these projects are well funded, which gives them resource-rich environments where they meet deadlines. Even if a manager does not participate in research and development activities, he or she should possess excellent management and people skills.
In what places can one find R&D Managers working?
In almost all sectors like health, medicine, business, technology, and even pharmaceuticals, R&D Managers can be found working. The services that are provided in these fields can vary hugely; for example, technical companies may focus on software or hardware innovations but pharmaceutical companies center on medicine and treatment development. This is the reason why R&D Managers usually have to focus on different fields because of their interests and expertise.
Matching the terms of the job description of R&D Manager, would a clinical research position be regarded as relevant experience?
To be designated to the R&D Manager position, employment within clinical research settings like Senior Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Research Manager, or Director is only acceptable if there is sufficient documented oversight over people, processes, and financial resources. Supporting documentation should be submitted like organizational charts, and Manners, structured as R&D Managers to demonstrate functional hierarchy claimed to be served.
NOTE: Clinical Trial Data Managers belong to a different ANZSCO and are ascribed to the code zone of Health Information Manager (ANZSCO 224213). This means they are not qualified for evaluation within the occupation of R&D Manager.
Supporting Material for Assessment
If you are applying for this managerial role, you must include an organizational chart. This chart should:
- Be on the company letterhead.
- Clearly indicate your job position.
- Show the job positions of your superiors and subordinates.
- List all positions reporting directly to your immediate supervisor and those reporting directly to your direct subordinates.
If obtaining an organizational chart from your employer is not possible, please submit a statutory declaration. This declaration should outline the necessary information and explain why it cannot be provided by your employer.
How to apply
If you’re a professional considering migration to Australia, there’s a good chance you’ll need to undergo assessment by VETASSESS. We evaluate 360 different professional occupations, examining your skills, experience, and qualifications to ensure they meet Australian standards.
1. Find
Find the VETASSESS occupation that best matches your abilities and experience.
2. Match
Match your skills and experience to your chosen occupation.
3. Prepare
Get ready to apply by preparing all the information and documents you need.
4. Apply
Apply online when you’re ready. If you’re still unsure, skills assessment support is available when you need it.