Best Customer Research Consulting Services in Australia

Australia Customer Research Consultants

Australia’s unique business environment, defined by its multicultural population, diverse regional markets, and forward-leaning sectors, demands exceptional customer insight. Whether you're a tech brand in Sydney, a policy agency in Canberra, or a retail leader expanding into Southeast Asia, understanding your customers’ behaviors and mindsets is critical.

This guide introduces some of the most effective and trusted outsourced, part-time, or fractional customer research consultancies in Australia. Each firm brings real impact, proven frameworks, and transparent leadership.

To curate this list, we focused on three core criteria: a research-driven approach with documented processes and strong case studies; consistently positive client feedback and measurable ROI; and a clear Australian presence, ensuring each consultancy offers on-the-ground expertise and market relevance. 

Want to dive deeper into research-backed growth strategy? Check out our feature on customer research consultants in the UK or our talent ecosystem insights. 

Eris Strategy

🔗 Website: https://erisstrategy.com.au

• 📊 What they do: Eris Strategy is an evidence-based strategy consultancy that helps clients uncover sources of market growth and design strategies that create opportunities through communication, product development, and service experience.
• 🏛️ Who they work with: Consumer brands, B2B organizations, government agencies, and not-for-profits across a broad range of sectors.
• 📂 Operating model: Fully custom insight and strategy engagements, integrating research, live reporting systems, and collaborative design tailored to client goals.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧭 Specialists in market decision-making across buyers, consumers, channels, and competitors.
• 🔍 Experts in evidence-led strategy that links insight to execution.
• 🚀 Innovative reporting and methodologies built to support clients in rapidly changing environments.
  

Seán McNally, Founder, Eris Strategy

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/se%C3%A1n-mcnally-1853767/

Seán is a seasoned insights and strategy leader with experience across consumer, business, and community sectors. He’s known for developing innovative research methodologies and live reporting systems that help clients adapt in dynamic environments. His work focuses on uncovering opportunities for growth and translating insights into effective, evidence-based strategies.

Adept Research

🔗 Website: https://adeptresearch.com.au

• 📊 What they do: Adept Research is a specialist B2B market research agency that delivers tailored qualitative, quantitative, and desk research projects, backed by strategic go-to-market recommendations.
• 🏛️ Who they work with: Medium to large businesses across a wide range of industries, as well as clients in professional services, consumer, and not-for-profit sectors.
• 📂 Operating model: End-to-end project delivery, from consultation and methodology design to execution, analysis, and strategic guidance.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🔄 Flexible research approach designed to suit each client’s unique objectives.
• 🎯 Emphasis on actionable insights that directly inform marketing and business strategy.
• 🧰 Expertise in niche and complex B2B markets, with over two decades of proven success
  

Duncan Buchanan, Founder, Adept Research

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-buchanan-cpm-21a56/

With over 20 years of experience, Duncan is a B2B market research specialist skilled in answering clients’ critical marketing questions around customer behavior and market dynamics. A Fellow and CPM of the Australian Marketing Institute, he combines academic rigor with practical insight, having taught postgraduate marketing and mentored emerging marketers. Duncan also serves on multiple boards and is known for guiding clients to uncover new business opportunities through evidence-based strategies.

Intuito Market Research

🔗 Website: https://www.intuito.com.au/index.html

• 📊 What they do: Intuito specializes in branding, advertising, and communication testing alongside identifying market opportunities to drive business growth, delivering both qualitative and quantitative research services.
• 🏛️ Who they work with: Clients across diverse sectors including aged care, education, finance, government, health, retail, telecommunications, tourism, and more.
• 📂 Operating model: Comprehensive research solutions ranging from in-depth interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic studies to advanced analytics, CATI surveys, and customer/employee experience tracking, supported by a modern facility with streaming and viewing technology.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🎯 Extensive sector experience with tailored research methods.
• 🧩 Expertise in both qualitative diagnostics and robust quantitative analysis.
• 🏢 State-of-the-art group room facilities enabling high-quality research sessions.

Jan Turbill, Managing Director, Intuito Market Research

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-turbill-5123a212/

Jan has over 25 years of experience in qualitative and diagnostic research, moderating group discussions, overseeing quantitative projects, and facilitating strategic planning workshops. She brings a deep focus on helping clients understand market dynamics through both qualitative insight and quantitative data. Jan also holds a Graduate membership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a background in leadership roles, including chief commissioner at Scouts Australia SA.

BlissPoint Research

🔗 Website: https://www.blisspoint.com.au/ 

• 📊 What they do: BlissPoint Research delivers tailored market research solutions focused on understanding how customers make decisions, combining rigorous data analysis with strategic advice to guide actionable business decisions.
• 🏛️ Who they work with: Senior executives and decision-makers across diverse industries seeking clear, evidence-based recommendations to drive marketing and business outcomes.
• 📂 Operating model: A team of senior expert consultants who analyze research data deeply and distill insights into practical “What we need to do” strategies, grounded in behavioral economics and modern marketing thinking.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🔍 Integrates leading global marketing and behavioral economics theories to better understand consumer decision-making.
• 📈 Focus on uncovering drivers of behavior beyond what consumers can articulate, using innovative research approaches.
• 🎯 Strong emphasis on translating data into concise, strategic action points for clients.

Gary Wilkinson, Managing Director, BlissPoint Research

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-wilkinson-4a658231/

Gary brings over 20 years of senior market research experience combined with academic expertise in psychology and business. He leads consultancy engagements that move beyond reports to deliver clear strategic guidance based on consumer behavior and business realities. Gary’s approach reflects BlissPoint’s philosophy of integrating behavioral economics into market research to uncover true decision drivers and actionable insights.

Truly Deeply

🔗 Website: https://www.trulydeeply.com.au

• 📊 What they do: Truly Deeply is a brand research, strategy, and creative design consultancy that helps businesses stand out, transform, and grow by pairing strategic tools with compelling design solutions.
• 🏛️ Who they work with: Clients across retail, health, professional services, property, finance, B2B, food, SaaS, and non-profit sectors.
• 📂 Operating model: Combining robust strategic branding methodologies with deep business understanding to deliver internal and external brand optimization that drives sales growth, customer attraction, and margin improvement.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🌟 Over 30 years of experience pairing strategy with beautiful, effective design.
• 📈 Expertise in aligning brand strategy with business objectives for transformative outcomes.
• 🤝 Collaborative approach involving marketing, C-suite, and boards to foster business growth.

Michael Hughes, Managing Partner - Strategy, Truly Deeply

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljosephhughes/

Michael leads Truly Deeply’s business and strategic direction, overseeing creative, research, client service, and growth. With extensive experience managing brands internationally and locally, he excels in delivering transformational brand and communication strategies that align with clients’ business ambitions. 

Derek Carroll, Managing Partner - Creative, Truly Deeply

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-carroll-923b9512/ 

Derek oversees all creative outputs at Truly Deeply, ensuring they are on brand, compelling, and beautifully crafted. He guides the creative team to deliver design work that clearly communicates the brand proposition and deeply connects with target audiences.

Susan Bell Research

🔗 Website: https://sbresearch.com.au

• 📊 What they do: Susan Bell Research is a specialist insights and communications testing agency focused on qualitative research, semiotics, and survey research. 
• 🏛️ Who they work with: Their clients range from major banks, insurers, super funds, government departments, and large food companies to smaller businesses and marketing agencies, working across financial services, government, FMCG, retirement services, and more.
• 📂 Operating model: Based in Sydney, Susan Bell Research employs proprietary qualitative methods, including ethnography, focus groups, surveys, and content testing. 

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🔬 Deep expertise in the new lives of older Australians, an often-overlooked demographic. 
• 👥 Proprietary content testing framework based on plain language principles. 
• 📊 Recognized for innovative qualitative research and global thought leadership in the sector. 

Susan Bell, Founder, Susan Bell Research

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suebell/

Susan Bell, founder and lead consultant, has an academic background in Social and Cognitive Psychology, Linguistics, and Anthropology. Since launching the agency in 1994, she has become a globally respected voice in qualitative research, particularly on retirement and aging. Susan is a Fellow of the Research Society and has been named among the top qualitative research experts worldwide by QRCA. 

Derham Insights Research

🔗 Website: https://www.derhamresearch.com.au

• 📊 What they do: Derham Insights Research provides market research insights into customers, markets, products, services, and employee motivation using both online and offline methods combined with AI tools for enhanced insight generation.
• 🏛️ Who they work with: Serving a wide range of clients including consumers, small business owners, professionals, students, and diverse ethnic groups across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA in both B2C and B2B sectors.
• 📂 Operating model: Based in Melbourne, they leverage a mix of traditional research methods and AI technology to deliver cost-effective, anonymized, and honest insights with a strong emphasis on ethical research practices.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🤖 Use of AI tools alongside traditional research methods to keep fees affordable and improve insight quality.
• 🔒 Strong commitment to participant anonymity to ensure open and honest responses.
• 🌏 International research reach across Australia, New Zealand, UK, and USA.
  

Meet Philip Derham, Founder, Derham Insights Research

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipderham/

Philip Derham is an experienced market researcher and moderator with a background spanning major media, government, and market research organizations such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Roy Morgan Research. A qualified professional researcher since 2002, Philip is a member of the Research Society and Australian Marketing Institute. He is a respected speaker and mentor who focuses on translating research into actionable insights to strengthen business decisions and performance.

D&M Research

🔗 Website: https://www.dandmresearch.com.au

• 📊 What they do: D&M Research is a boutique, full-service research agency offering customized qualitative and quantitative market research solutions with in-house capabilities spanning data processing, scripting, fieldwork, and senior consultant-led projects.
• 🏛️ Who they work with: They serve both public and private sectors, working with Australia’s leading brands across a broad range of industries and research topics.
• 📂 Operating model: Established in 1994 and based in Australia, D&M integrates all research functions internally to maintain high intelligence and personalized service throughout every stage of the research process.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🔍 Big agency expertise combined with personalized service from a dedicated senior team.
• 🏆 Multi-award-winning agency recognized for excellence in research and business practice.
• ✅ Highest accreditations including QPR, AMSRO Trust Mark, and ISO 20252, plus COVID Safe accreditation.

Derek Jones, Founder & Principal, D&M Research

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dereksjones/

Derek Jones founded D&M Research in 1994, bringing over 30 years of experience in market research. He has worked with global brands like Red Bull, Nestlé, Pfizer, and Fox Sports, blending rigorous data analysis with creative insight storytelling. Derek leads sales, strategy, and research consultancy at D&M, ensuring value and actionable evidence-based recommendations for clients. A Fellow of The Research Society, he is an award-winning researcher, educator, and frequent industry speaker committed to high standards and advancing market research knowledge.

JWS Research

🔗 Website: https://www.jwsresearch.com

• 📊 What they do: JWS Research specializes in reputation and issues management, communications and engagement research, community opinion and satisfaction, policy development, and brand positioning. 
• 🏛️ Who they work with: They provide research-based advice primarily to government agencies, ASX-listed companies, industry associations, and businesses across Australia, focusing on complex and challenging social and political issues.
• 📂 Operating model: Established 15 years ago and based in Australia, JWS Research combines hands-on senior team involvement with deep industry experience, delivering strategic insights and evidence-based advice on time and within budget.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🔎 Industry leader known for tackling complex social, political, and public affairs research challenges.
• 📈 Unique Campaign Converter™ methodology that drives actionable strategic insights.
• 👥 Trusted by top ASX companies, governments, and industry associations for high-impact, independent advice.
  

John Scales, Founder, JWS Research

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-w-scales/

John Scales is a senior researcher with over 35 years’ experience in commercial and public affairs research. He has worked with most of Australia’s top 50 ASX companies, government bodies, and major campaigns, delivering clear, actionable insights into public opinion. A University of Melbourne graduate and full member of AMSRS, John is regularly quoted in the media as a leading voice on Australian public opinion and social issues.

Australian Survey Research

🔗 Website: https://aussurveys.com

• 📊 What they do: Australian Survey Research (ASR) is a market research consultancy specializing in combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques. 
• 🏛️ Who they work with: ASR serves private sector clients, government agencies, and statutory bodies across Australia, with expertise spanning finance, media, telecommunications, manufacturing, and human resources.
• 📂 Operating model: With teams based in Melbourne and Sydney, ASR integrates market and social research consulting with IT application development and survey management, using multiple data collection methods including CATI, face-to-face, focus groups, and web surveys on their secure SurveyManager platform.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🔐 Proprietary and scalable SurveyManager platform reaching over 2.5 million Australians annually.
• 📊 Expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research tailored to client needs across diverse industries.
• 🤝 Strong focus on servicing government and statutory bodies with advanced statistical and predictive modeling capabilities.

Murray Reid, CEO, Australian Survey Research

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murray-reid-4415ba1/

Murray Reid brings over 25 years of business management and marketing experience across the Asia Pacific region, including senior roles at IBM and Informix Software. With 20 years in IT sales and general management, he oversees ASR’s workload and client delivery while actively contributing to research projects. His expertise spans government, finance, media, telecommunications, and manufacturing sectors, combining leadership with practical advisory on research and business matters.

Why Customer Research Matters in the Australian Market

Customer research in Australia is more than just gathering feedback, it's about transforming insight into action. The firms featured in this list aren’t just running surveys or moderating focus groups; they’re shaping public policy, informing product launches, and guiding customer-centric innovation across industries.

Whether you need political polling, brand repositioning research, or data-backed UX testing, these consultancies bring the clarity and confidence to move your organization forward.

At Digital Reference, we believe in radical transparency and practical guidance. That’s why we spotlight firms that not only deliver results, but also share their methodologies, stand by their work, and operate with integrity.

Explore more marketing insights here: Marketing Professionals Resources & Insights
Want to get in touch with a research partner you can trust? Reach out to the providers above, or connect with us for more vetted options.