To support healthy ageing, communities require evidence-based planning that reflects the lived experiences of older people. This presentation outlines findings from the Ageing Well Survey, a Queensland-first initiative launched in 2025 through a partnership between the Australian Catholic University (ACU), the Queensland Government, and Council on the Ageing Queensland. This project examines multidimensional factors of ageing e.g., community accessibility, housing, transport, volunteerism, employment, participation and social inclusion, that influence the ability of Queenslanders to age well in their communities. Research led by ACU, the project employs a mixed-methods design, based on an adaptation of the measurement tool - the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire - Australia (AGCCQ Australia), and integrates structured quantitative measures with qualitative free-text responses. Data collection is cumulative and geographically distributed across metropolitan, regional, and rural communities. Iterative thematic coding ensures people’s voices remain at the centre of the research. Analysis of approximately 2,500 respondents (to date) reveals that results remain stable over time, and despite high overall life satisfaction, respect and social inclusion are among the lowest-rated age-friendly domains, signalling a need for addressing e.g., ageism and invisibility. Key systemic barriers include retirement insecurity, cost-of-living pressures, inadequate transport options and infrastructure, and challenges to accessing regional healthcare. The Ageing Well Survey provides a model for embedding timely research through mixed-methods data into planning, systemic advocacy, and informing programs and policies across Queensland. The findings suggest that creating, fostering and sustaining age-friendly communities requires a move beyond infrastructure to address deep-seated social and systemic constraints and use of evidence-informed strategies for social change and inclusion.