This report presents findings from the third phase of the research agenda development project funded by the National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP).

Phase 3 used Q-Methodology (or Q sort) as a way of synthesising findings and exploring how different individuals view important areas for research. The findings from phases 1 and 2 were summarised in 25 statements and participants were asked to sort each of the 25 statements according to which should guide Australian disability research ‘the most’ and ‘the least’. In total 52 people responded, including people with disability, advocates, academics/researchers, policy makers, and family members/supporters.

The researchers identified four overlapping viewpoints about research priorities:

• Design and delivery of services and systems: design and delivery of integrated, safe, and equitable services and systems (health, education, employment, disability) that contribute to inclusive communities benefitting people with disability and family members across the life course.
• Intersecting experiences and disability which prioritised research about the complex and intersecting needs of people experiencing multiple disadvantage or marginalisation, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations Australians with disability, and people with disability in the criminal justice system or experiencing homelessness
• Systems outcomes and/or impact which focussed on how services and systems were designed and their broader impacts on people with disability as well as society more broadly (e.g., societal impacts of the NDIS)
• Mental health and well-being which prioritised research on designing services and supports across a range of domains (e.g., violence, mental health, housing) and across the life course, to support people with disability experiencing mental ill-health and to promote mental health among people with disability.

This research involved three phases:

1. Mapping of recent Australian research related to people with disability
2. Consultation with people with disability and their representative organisations; researchers; families and supporters; service providers; governments and other stakeholders to identify key issues. The consultation included a survey.
3. Synthesis and refinement of findings from the first two phases to contribute to setting an agenda for disability research in Australia.

This report is about the third and final stage of the process.