What ORIMA First Nations Research does

ORIMA Research is a 100% Australian-owned, founder-led research consultancy founded in 1996 by Liz Duniec, headquartered in Melbourne with offices in Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane. The firm self-describes as Australia's largest provider of research, evaluation and data analytics services to the public sector, with over 90% of revenue derived from government clients — including Australian Federal departments (Health, Social Services, ACCC, AFP, NACC, PM&C), State agencies (NSW Health, IPART, Victorian Department of Education), education institutions, and not-for-profits. Service offerings span the full research lifecycle: communications and marketing research, client and stakeholder research, employee engagement (including a proprietary High Performing Organisation Model), community sentiment, policy and program evaluation, public health research, disability-inclusive research, education research, and PGPA Act compliance advisory. The firm also operates a dedicated First Nations Research Division (established 2019) supported by 35+ First Nations Community Interviewers across metropolitan, regional, and remote Australia.

The firm holds 70+ professional staff including 27 Qualified Professional Researchers and 3 Fellows of The Research Society — reportedly more QPRs than any competitor in the Australian market. Certifications include ISO 20252, ISO 27001, Fair Data, and an NHMRC-registered Human Research Ethics Committee, which collectively function as procurement prerequisites for sensitive government tenders. Underlying technology comprises online survey platforms, secure ballot platforms, dashboard reporting systems, and bespoke administration portals for schools and service providers — none of which are disclosed as AI-native. The business model is project-based, multi-year government consulting engagements procured via direct sales and tender processes, with a 100% client satisfaction and renewal rate reported across surveyed clients.

Growth is anchored by long-tenured prime contracts such as the Generation Vape national longitudinal study (in partnership with Cancer Council NSW, Daffodil Centre, and University of Sydney), AFP annual staff surveys since 2021, IPART Point to Point Transport Passenger Survey since 2018, and the Victorian Department of Education suite of student, parent, and staff surveys since 2017. The 2024 NACC inaugural Commonwealth Integrity Survey (278,406 employees across 191 Commonwealth entities) demonstrates capacity to deliver very large-scale federal engagements. Investment activity is limited to organic reinvestment — no M&A, external funding rounds, or IPO activity are disclosed — and the firm remains closely held under the Duniec family's leadership.

Name

ORIMA First Nations Research

Legal name

ORIMA Research

Website

https://orima.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ORIMA Research is a 100% Australian-owned consultancy founded in 1996, providing end-to-end research, evaluation, and data analytics to Australian government and not-for-profit clients, with over 90% public-sector revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Sector Research and Data Analytics

NAICS

Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Industry & Sector Research (Syndicated/Custom) (BPAHALAE)

Keywords

• Public sector research
• Market and social research
• Program evaluation services
• Data analytics consulting
• Stakeholder research

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Research Contracts: ORIMA generates revenue through commissioned research contracts with Australian Federal, State and Territory government agencies. Projects include surveys, evaluations, stakeholder research, program assessments and data analytics engagements. The company has long-standing relationships with government departments spanning multiple years and recurring engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ORIMA Research is Australia's largest provider of end-to-end research, evaluation and data analytics services to the public and not-for-profit sector. The firm delivers quantitative and qualitative research, program evaluations, stakeholder and employee engagement studies, policy and communications research, and PGPA compliance advisory, supported by proprietary online survey, ballot and dashboard technology and a dedicated First Nations Research Division with 35+ community interviewers.

Product overview

ORIMA Research is a 100% Australian-owned evidence-based research consultancy and Australia's largest provider of research, advisory and data services to the public sector. The company operates as a single unified consultancy offering a comprehensive portfolio of research services rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Their core offerings span research methodologies (quantitative and qualitative), specialist sector expertise (public health, education, disability, First Nations, employee engagement), and technology-enabled data collection through online surveys, data portals, and dashboards. The company also provides consulting and advisory services, program evaluations, and compliance advisory under the PGPA Act. Their services are delivered through offices in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane with staff and field researchers located across Australia, including over 35 First Nations Community Interviewers for culturally appropriate community research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• First Nations Research Division: Culturally appropriate quantitative and qualitative research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in metropolitan, regional and remote Australia, conducted with assistance from a team of First Nations Community Interviewers located across Australia.

Products and services

• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Research Culturally appropriate quantitative and qualitative research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in metropolitan, regional and remote Australia. Includes access to a network of 35+ First Nations Community Interviewers for face-to-face interviewing, a regular cost-effective Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Omnibus Survey, and research approach, design, conduct, analysis and reporting informed by Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander advisors.
• Communications and Marketing Research Research services for government and not-for-profit communications programs, including communications strategy development, formative research, audience segmentation, persona development, strategic territory and concept testing, tracking and evaluation, information product testing, and communication audits.
• Client and Stakeholder Research
• Employee Research
• Community Sentiment Research
• Policy Development and Program Management Research
• Program Evaluations and Reviews
• Data Analytics
• Data Portals and Ballots
• PGPA Compliance Services
• Disability Services Research
• Education Research
• Consulting and Advisory Services
• Public Health Research
• User-Centred Design

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% client satisfaction with overall performance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 33 CreativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerORIMA partnered with 33 Creative on a Department of Health and Aged Care commission to create an evidence-base for communicating and engaging on health topics with First Nations peoples. The collaboration explored health awareness, understanding, information needs, and preferred communication channels for First Nations communities.
• AureconminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerORIMA and Aurecon collaborated to design a survey platform for gathering community data on attitudes toward alternative sources of drinking water. The customizable platform provides objective data on community openness to alternative water sources, helping water sector clients have constructive conversations with communities.
• The Research SocietycoreOthersORIMA staff hold leadership positions including National President and Vice President of The Research Society (formerly Australian Market and Social Research Society). Staff are Fellows and members of the Research Industry Council of Australia and Privacy Compliance Committee of the Australian Data and Insights Association.
• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)coreOthersORIMA Research Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is registered as a Human Research Ethics Committee with the NHMRC and operates in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ORIMA First Nations Research