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How to Become a Learning and Development Manager: Australian Careers in Education

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What is a Learning and Development Manager?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Learning and Development Manager?

A Learning and Development Manager designs and runs training programs to build the skills of a workforce. They find skill gaps, create learning materials, and check whether training works. Their job is to link staff growth with the goals of the business.

In a typical week, they review training needs, build course materials, and run workshops or online sessions. They work with team leaders and outside training firms to target key skill gaps. They also track results and adjust programs when needed.

Many L&D Managers take on a mentoring role too. They guide staff through career talks and help spot growth paths. This mix of design work and people support makes the role both big-picture and hands-on.

This career suits people who love helping others grow. It is one of the fastest-growing areas in HR in Australia. With more businesses investing in their staff, skilled L&D Managers are in strong demand across all sectors.

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Career snapshots For Learning and Development Managers

Learning and Development Managers work across many industries in Australia. The biggest employing sectors are Education and Training, Public Administration, and Financial Services (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Health Care, Mining, and Professional Services also employ large numbers.

About 81% of roles are full-time, with an average 42-hour week (ABS, 2021 Census). The median age is 44, and 63% of workers are women (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Average weekly pay for full-time workers is $2,146 (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Around 1,600 new roles are added each year, showing strong ongoing demand (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025).

What will I do?

A Learning and Development Manager builds the skills and knowledge of a company’s staff. They design and run programs that help employees do better work and grow their careers. This role links people growth directly to the business goals of the organisation.

  • Identifying training needs – Finding skill and knowledge gaps across teams and departments.
  • Setting development objectives – Setting HR growth goals and tracking learning results.
  • Preparing training materials – Writing handbooks, visual aids, online tutorials, and support guides.
  • Designing training programs – Building and running workshops, courses, and individual sessions.
  • Liaising with external providers – Working with outside training firms to source specialist programs.
  • Promoting training initiatives – Backing internal and external learning options and measuring uptake.
  • Evaluating training effectiveness – Reviewing program quality and adjusting methods to improve results.
  • Researching training topics – Gathering and studying source material to build subject knowledge.
  • Advising management – Guiding leaders on staff growth and helping employees with career plans.

What skills do I need?

A Learning and Development Manager needs a broad mix of skills. Strong communication is central. This role involves presenting to teams, writing materials, and working with staff at all levels. Good analysis skills help find training gaps and check whether programs are working.

Skills in instructional design are key for building useful learning content. Project skills help keep programs on time and on budget. Skill with learning management systems (LMS) and e-learning tools is vital in today’s digital workplaces. Above all, a love of helping people grow makes this career very rewarding.

Skills/attributes

  • Clear verbal and written communication
  • Needs analysis and gap assessment
  • Instructional design and content development
  • Facilitation and workshop delivery
  • Knowledge of adult learning principles
  • Learning management system (LMS) proficiency
  • Project and program management
  • Data analysis and training evaluation
  • Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
  • Leadership and team guidance
  • Budget planning and resource allocation
  • Adaptability and change management
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Digital literacy and e-learning design
  • Continuous professional development mindset

CourseFinder makes every effort to ensure the information we provide is correct at the time of publication. We welcome your input to help keep our career profiles as accurate and up to date as possible. All queries and feedback will be taken into consideration as we conduct periodic reviews of our content. Add your voice to the conversation!

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.