Background: Systematic reviews are increasingly recognised as an appropriate and reliable source of research evidence to inform health policy. However, policy makers face challenges with accessing and interpreting reviews. In 2003 the Australasian Cochrane Centre (ACC) and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) established the Policy Liaison Initiative (PLI). This project aims to provide practical support to DoHA staff through strategies focusing on increasing policy makers’ capacity to identify and apply evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews, making policy-relevant reviews more accessible using tailored summaries, and supporting a community of practice of policy makers within DoHA. Objectives: To conduct a qualitative evaluation and needs assessment of the PLI. Methods: In 2008-2009, the ACC conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with policy makers at various levels of seniority and from different areas within DoHA. Thematic analysis was used to explore how research informs policy decisions; the barriers faced in using research; the support and resources perceived as enabling effective use of research; and perceptions of the effectiveness of the PLI. Results: Participants supported the role of research evidence in policy, but identified significant barriers to this process, including time to identify and incorporate research results, and a perceived lack of systematic reviews relevant to their priority issues. Individual staff varied in their ability to access and interpret research results, depending on their role and experience, and had favourable attitudes towards practical interventions to overcome these barriers. Future options for improving the PLI were identified. Conclusions: These results are consistent with international research in this area. Practical initiatives such as the PLI may be useful for increasing the uptake of research into policy in Australia, with a focus on research skills among policy officers, improved pathways for rapid access to reports of research results, and ongoing support for policy-relevant research.