The objective of a national government-funded research program for tertiary education and training is to support the achievement of major social and economic goals. These include increased opportunities for participation in the labour market, improvements in productivity and enhanced social inclusion. In essence, the overarching lens is to consider the "outcomes" of education and training. Research into Australia's tertiary education, training and employment sector is commissioned and undertaken by a variety of researchers, academics, vocational education and training (VET) practitioners, government and non-government agencies, industry and provider bodies. National research priorities give greater direction to this substantial research effort. The priorities will become the basis for research undertaken through the National VET Research and Evaluation (NVETRE) Program and guide the National Centre for Vocational Education Research's (NCVER's) in-house research activities. Other agencies and organisations may also elect to frame their research activities within the national priorities. These priorities will be used to generate research and to initiate primary data-gathering exercises. NCVER will report to ministers on the efficacy of the priorities and will ensure that any gaps in the research are addressed, either through open funding rounds or direct commissions. This document sets out the context for the priorities, what was gleaned from the consultations and, finally, the advice by the NCVER Board on research priorities for 2011-13 to the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment, subsequently endorsed by the Ministerial Council at their June 2010 meeting. Appended are: (1) NCVER's current research and statistics; (2) Council of Australian Governments; (3) Organisations consulted; and (4) Written submissions. (Contains 5 tables and 3 boxes.)