Beyond the Template: Why Most R&D Claims Are Engineered for Failure.
The R&D advisory market has become a commoditised field of high-volume providers, automated templates, and firms that promise fast refunds while leaving businesses exposed to long-term risk. This page sets out what the industry actually looks like — so you can make an informed decision about choosing an R&D partner.
WHY THIS COMPARISON MATTERS
Not All R&D Advisors Are Equal. The Differences Are Material.
Not all firms are registered Tax Agents. Not all operate through properly incorporated entities. Not all have experience through the ATO enforcement cycles. When you choose a firm to manage your R&D Tax Incentive claim, you are choosing who will represent your business to the ATO. That choice carries consequences.
INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT
The Competitive Landscape — Key Facts.
The table below profiles the active advisory market by entity type, Tax Agent status, service scope, and observable risk factors. Provider names have been replaced with descriptive category labels. Compliance risk factors are highlighted in the relevant columns.
|
Provider |
Since. |
Entity Type |
Tax Agent |
Services |
Specialty |
|
Pattens Group — Grants Specialist |
1989 |
Company |
Yes |
All grants |
$3b+ secured. Senior-only delivery. Audit-ready by design. |
|
Large Mid-Tier Advisory |
2007 |
Company |
Yes |
Broad advisory |
Audit, tax, and generalist. R&D is a minor service line within a large practice. |
|
Large Mid-Tier Advisory |
2008 |
Company |
Yes |
Tax & advisory |
Approximately 500 R&D claims per year. SME focus. |
|
Engineering-Focused Advisory |
2009 |
Company |
Yes |
Advisory + some grants |
Limited public outcome disclosure. |
|
High-Volume RDTI Specialist |
2010 |
Company |
Yes |
RDTI only |
Approximately 1,500 claims per year. Volume does not focus on maximising claims. |
|
Mid-Market RDTI & EMDG |
2012 |
Company |
Yes |
RDTI + EMDG |
2,000+ claims cited. $250m stated. Not verified. |
|
Mid-Market Accounting |
2012 |
Company |
Yes |
Accountants |
Accountancy practice. RDTI an ancillary service. |
|
Business Consulting Firm with Grants |
2013 |
Company |
Yes |
Consulting + some grants |
$1.8b cited in grants. No claim success. |
|
RDTI Boutique — Interview Led Delivery |
2014 |
Company |
R&D only |
RDTI only |
Positions on removing the ‘writing burden’ via interviews. |
|
Generalist Accounting & Tax |
2016 |
Company |
Yes |
Accounting + Tax |
General practice. R&D Tax Incentive not a primary focus. |
|
Multi-Grant RDTI |
2020 |
Company |
R&D only |
RDTI + some grants |
$17m cited. Multi-grant strategy positioned as a strength. |
|
AI-Niche RDTI |
2020 |
Company |
No Tax Agent licence |
RDTI — software niche |
AI-led positioning for software clients. |
|
Recent-Entry RDTI |
2021 |
Company |
R&D only |
RDTI + some grants |
Some non-RDTI grants offered. |
|
Administration Entity — RDTI |
2019 |
Administration entity |
No Tax Agent licence |
RDTI only |
Administration entity type. |
|
Multi-Grant RDTI |
2008 |
Company |
R&D only |
RDTI + some grants |
Predominantly R&D Tax Incentive. |
|
Deregistered Entity |
2000 |
DEREGISTERED |
No Tax Agent licence |
None |
Entity deregistered with ASIC. |
|
Fixed-Fee Provider |
2022 |
No entity on record |
No Tax Agent licence |
RDTI only |
Fixed fee model. High claim volume stated. Many claims under audit. |
|
Recent-Entry RDTI |
2024 |
Company |
Yes |
RDTI only |
Claims 20+ years experience since 2024 registration. |
Disclaimer: Provider names have been removed for privacy reasons. Contact us for details.
SEVEN THINGS TO ASK BEFORE YOU ENGAGE
What to Watch For When Choosing a Provider.
Is the entity legally registered and incorporated?
At least one provider in this market operates as a deregistered company — it cannot legally contract. Others operate as business names or administration entities with no incorporated structure. Always verify ASIC status before signing an engagement letter.
Are they a registered Tax Agent?
A registered Tax Agent carries legal accountability for the advice provided. Several active providers in this market hold no Tax Agent registration. For a claim lodged with the ATO, that accountability gap is not a minor technical point.
Do they disclose their outcomes?
Pattens states $3b+ in grants secured. Most providers in this market disclose nothing. High claim volumes with no stated outcomes communicate something about what those outcomes look like. Ask every provider you speak with for their numbers before you engage.
Are they using AI without technical oversight?
At least one active provider uses AI to generate R&D claim descriptions with no stated technical review process. AI can produce plausible-sounding technical prose describing activities your business did not conduct. An inaccurate claim description is a compliance liability at audit. Pattens uses AI as a structural and identification tool — applied under senior technical oversight at every stage.
What does their fee structure tell you?
A very low fixed fee communicates that delivery is templated, interaction is minimal, and the claim has not been calibrated to your technical context. One provider in this market charges a low fixed fee per claim and reportedly has all lodged claims under ATO audit. The data point speaks for itself.
Can their experience claims be verified?
At least one active provider claims over 20 years of industry experience from an entity registered in 2024. ASIC registration dates are publicly available. Check them against any experience claim you are presented with.
Do they cover the full grants landscape?
A firm that only knows the R&D Tax Incentive cannot identify what else your business may be entitled to. That limitation is a direct financial cost. Pattens works across the full grants spectrum — RDTI, EMDG, and all major programs — and assesses your business against every relevant option.
THE PATTENS POSITION
The Difference Is Not a Claim. It Is a Track Record.
Pattens has operated since 1989. Over $3 billion in grants secured. A registered Tax Agent. An incorporated company with a transparent, verifiable structure. Senior practitioners with experience across every major ATO enforcement cycle of the past three decades.
We do not position ourselves against individual firms. We position ourselves against the industry standard — and we show you the evidence.
Phone:
02 9476 1555
Business Hours:
9am-5pm, Monday-Friday (AEST)
Email:
grants@pattens.com