A group of 56 randomly selected members of the International Council for Distance Education who were based in Australia were surveyed regarding their opinions on distance education research priorities for Australia. A five-page questionnaire was used to gather biographical details about respondents and opinions regarding available level of research information, areas of distance education needing priority research attention, and problems encountered in research in distance education. Of the 56 questionnaires mailed in Australia, 36 (64 percent) were returned. Seventeen respondents had taken distance education courses at some time. The following were rated as areas of distance education about which little research information is available: discipline-based context, cost-benefit analysis, relationship between open learning and distance education, industrial and business training context, and role of distance education in national development. Respondents believed that more research is needed on virtually every aspect of distance education. The following areas were mentioned as requiring priority research attention: instructional and communications technology, industrial and business training context, role of distance education in national development, student support services, evaluation, and equity and access. Time allocation, funding, and professional advice were the three most frequently mentioned research problems. (Contains 15 references.) (MN)