Top 3 Market Research Companies in Australia in 2025

As Australian businesses and public institutions face unprecedented shifts in consumer behavior, technology, and regulatory frameworks, the need for reliable, actionable market research has intensified. In 2025, organizations are prioritizing business intelligence that not only describes markets—but also interprets them in ways that unlock innovation, policy relevance, and strategic growth.

Three standout firms are delivering on that need: Newfocus Market & Social Research Experts, Bastion Insights, and Ken Research. Each company brings a specialized lens to research—whether it's grounded in community understanding, brand innovation, or sector-level strategy.

1. Newfocus Market & Social Research Experts

Specialists in culturally informed, evidence-based research

Newfocus is one of Australia’s most respected independent research firms, with a strong track record in public sector research and social behavior analysis. With headquarters in Adelaide and operational reach across Australia, the firm’s focus is on delivering culturally nuanced, audience-sensitive insights.

Their core capabilities include:

• Social impact assessments and policy evaluation
• Behavioral and attitudinal studies
• Community consultation and program co-design
• Expertise in Indigenous and multicultural community engagement

Newfocus is particularly valued for its methodological sensitivity, making it a top choice for government departments, NGOs, and educational institutions that require input from diverse and often underrepresented populations. The company’s research contributes directly to policy formulation, service design, and public communication strategies.

2. Bastion Insights

Bridging consumer research and brand innovation

Part of the broader Bastion Group, Bastion Insights offers an innovative approach to market research—blending data, design thinking, and strategic consulting. It serves a wide client base across FMCG, financial services, retail, education, and government, positioning itself as a key partner for organizations aiming to stay relevant in a changing consumer landscape.

Their suite of services includes:

• Qualitative and quantitative market studies
• Brand health tracking, repositioning, and communications testing
• Customer journey mapping and behavior modeling
• Innovation testing and cultural trend diagnostics

What sets Bastion apart is its ability to connect research to business transformation. Their insights aren’t just descriptive—they’re prescriptive, guiding clients to take strategic action based on consumer sentiment, emotional connection, and future-focused market shifts. For brands looking to embed consumer insight into innovation, Bastion is a valuable partner.

3. Ken Research

Primary research with sector-specific, growth-focused intelligence

Ken Research stands out for its commitment to primary market research, especially in emerging and high-growth sectors across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Unlike firms that rely solely on desk research, Ken Research directly engages with stakeholders—including consumers, suppliers, regulators, and competitors—ensuring that insights are grounded in real-world dynamics.

Key offerings include:

• Market sizing, segmentation, and demand estimation
• Competitive benchmarking and opportunity analysis
• M&A and IPO due diligence for institutional investors
• Custom reports in key sectors: healthcare, energy, fintech, logistics, manufacturing

Ken Research is particularly suited for businesses exploring market entry, product expansion, or investment feasibility. With over 300 industry categories in its research library and deep expertise in B2B and B2C domains, the firm provides the kind of tailored, field-driven insights required for high-stakes decision-making.

Final Takeaway

Each of these market research firms contributes a unique capability to Australia’s dynamic intelligence ecosystem:

• Newfocus is ideal for organizations crafting policy and programs that reflect real community needs, especially in diverse, multicultural, or underrepresented populations.
• Bastion Insights supports businesses in connecting consumer trends with creative strategy, making research central to brand differentiation and innovation.
• Ken Research empowers corporates and investors with validated primary data, driving decisions in fast-evolving sectors through bespoke industry intelligence.

Together, these firms form a critical knowledge backbone for organizations that want to lead with data and scale with confidence in 2025 and beyond.