Websense has confirmed it will relocate its Sydney-based research and development team to China, resulting in 25 local jobs cut.

It had been claimed on Whirlpool that two thirds of staff have been culled from the local office.

The Internet security vendor told iTnews the total number of staff affected in Sydney was 25.

“The staff involved will continue to work out of the Sydney office until the end of March 2009 when many will be offered relocation opportunities," said a media spokesperson.

However the vendor will "retain a 30-strong" sales and technical support team in Australia.

It said it will relocate its the R&D team, specialising in email security, from Sydney to Beijing.

A spokesperson for the vendor claimed that in addition to Beijing, it operates two US research and development centres in California and also has facilities in the UK and Israel.

“The company’s continued investment in research and development in these five centres will result in synergies for driving innovation through the creation and ongoing operation of one global development team working across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific,” they said.