The Australian residential aged care sector is experiencing immense change driven by the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. To ensure that research adequately supports the sector, we conducted a two-round modified e-Delphi study to gain consensus on research priorities for Australian residential aged care.

Research topics were first identified by reviewing and synthesising 15 articles/reports published 2007-2022 on research priorities in Australian aged care. Participants included 5 stakeholder groups: people living in aged care, informal carers, staff, management/policy makers and researchers in residential aged care. They were recruited via professional, consumer and sector peak bodies, primary health networks, and Residential Aged Care Research Network organisational and individual members. Consensus was defined as an item rated as very or extremely important on a 5-point Likert scale by ≥90% of people from ≥3 stakeholder groups.

In Round 1, 81 participants rated 32 of the original 93 research topics as very or extremely important. In Round 2, 152 participants reached consensus on 19 of the 32 topics. Three topics were identified as very or extremely important by all 5 stakeholder groups: worker retention, palliative care, and behaviour support for residents with dementia.

These findings provide researchers and government with clear direction on where research efforts should be focussed to meet the needs of residential aged care stakeholders. By aligning research activity with stakeholder priorities, we can increase the speed and effectiveness of change efforts to improve safety and quality of residential aged care for all.