How to become an Investment Manager

Also called: Financial Asset Manager, Fund Manager, Portfolio Manager

Manages investment portfolios, funds and trusts on behalf of individuals, institutions or other entities, in order to generate returns, meet investment objectives and risk profiles over agreed periods of time.

Main tasks

• Develops and executes investment plans to achieve investment goals
• Monitors investment performance and adjusts strategies based on modified needs and market conditions
• Conducts research and analysis to identify investment opportunities, make investment decisions and manage associated risks
• Manages funds raised from personal superannuation savings policies, unit trusts and other sources of funds
• Assists in meeting superannuation compliance requirements, relevant laws, regulations and fund policies
• Provides reporting on investment performance, and financial, accounting and budgeting information

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Superannuation (FNS40920); Diploma of Personal Trusts (FNS52022); Advanced Diploma of Financial Licensing Management (FNS60722); Advanced Diploma of Integrated Risk Management (FNS60822); Diploma of Banking Services Management (FNS50922); Diploma of Credit Management (FNS51522); Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management (FNS50322); Diploma of Financial Markets (FNS51022)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $134,264 a year
• About 65,800 people work in this job group now, and about 74,200 are projected by 2035. (+12.7%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Capital Markets Specialist
• Investment Analyst
• Financial Adviser
• Financial Market Dealer
• Stockbroker
• Credit Risk Manager

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Investment Manager?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Certificate IV in Superannuation; Diploma of Personal Trusts.

How much does an Investment Manager earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $134,264 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Investment Manager a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2035, from about 65,800 to about 74,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Investment Manager?

Usually. 78% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Investment Manager?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04