Essential Report
Biggest barrier to the Covid-19 vaccine rollout in Australia
Q. Which of the following do you think is currently the biggest barrier to the Covid-19 vaccine rollout in Australia?
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Unwillingness among people who are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine to get vaccinated | 48% | 50% | 47% | 43% | 44% | 57% | 41% | 60% | 30% | 52% |
| A shortage of supply of Covid-19 vaccines for people who are eligible and willing to get vaccinated | 52% | 50% | 53% | 57% | 56% | 43% | 59% | 40% | 70% | 48% |
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 388 | 405 | 90 | 119 |
- The general population is split on the biggest barrier to the national Covid-19 vaccine rollout; Just over half (52%) think the biggest barrier is a shortage of supply of Covid-19 vaccines for people who are eligible and willing to get vaccinated, while just under half (48%) think it’s an unwillingness among people who are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine to get vaccinated.
- Those aged over 55 are more likely than younger cohorts to think the biggest barrier is related to an unwillingness to get vaccinated among those who can (57% to 44% of those aged 35-54, and 43% of those aged 18-34).
- Coalition voters are also more likely than other voters to think unwillingness is the main issue (60% to 41% Labor voters, 30% Greens voters and 52% minor/independent party voters).
- There is no difference in views across states.
Views towards level of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions
Q. Thinking about the latest Covid-19 lockdown in your area, do you think the restrictions are…?
[Asked only to respondents with lockdown restrictions in their area]
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Too strong | 27% | 30% | 24% | 24% | 28% | 30% | 21% | 32% | 26% | 43% |
| About right | 61% | 58% | 65% | 63% | 60% | 61% | 67% | 60% | 66% | 43% |
| Too weak | 11% | 11% | 12% | 13% | 13% | 9% | 12% | 8% | 8% | 14% |
| Base (n) | 925 | 465 | 460 | 308 | 324 | 293 | 324 | 344 | 80 | 97 |
| State | |||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
| Too strong | 28% | 35% | 20% | 12% | 30% |
| About right | 56% | 57% | 70% | 70% | 70% |
| Too weak | 16% | 8% | 11% | 18% | 0% |
| Base (n) | 345 | 275 | 156 | 58 | 51 |
- 61% of people under lockdown restrictions think the lockdown restrictions in their area are about right. 27% think they’re too strong and 11% too weak.
- Victorians are most likely to think their restrictions are too strong (35%). In comparison, 28% of NSW residents think their restrictions are too strong. Those in NSW are more likely than Victorians to think the restrictions there are too weak (16% to 8% respectively).
Clarity of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions
Q. How clear and easy to understand are the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions/rules affecting the area you live in?
[Asked only to respondents with lockdown restrictions in their area]
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Very clear and easy to understand | 40% | 42% | 39% | 32% | 45% | 44% | 43% | 44% | 36% | 27% |
| Fairly clear and easy to understand | 42% | 40% | 45% | 54% | 36% | 37% | 42% | 42% | 46% | 37% |
| Not that clear and easy to understand | 12% | 11% | 13% | 10% | 12% | 14% | 11% | 10% | 15% | 22% |
| Not at all clear and easy to understand | 5% | 7% | 4% | 4% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 14% |
| Base (n) | 925 | 465 | 460 | 308 | 324 | 293 | 324 | 344 | 80 | 97 |
| State | |||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
| Very clear and easy to understand | 29% | 50% | 44% | 46% | 50% |
| Fairly clear and easy to understand | 44% | 36% | 48% | 37% | 45% |
| Not that clear and easy to understand | 19% | 10% | 7% | 10% | 4% |
| Not at all clear and easy to understand | 8% | 4% | 2% | 7% | 1% |
| Base (n) | 345 | 275 | 156 | 58 | 51 |
- Most people understand the Covid-19 restrictions in their area, with 40% saying they are very clear and easy to understand, and 42% saying they are fairly clear and easy to understand.
- Restrictions in NSW are less clear than in Victoria. Just 29% in NSW say the restrictions are very clear and easy to understand (50% in Victoria).
Information about Covid-19
Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the information you’ve received about the Covid-19 pandemic in Australia?
| TOTAL: Agree | Aug’21
30/08/21 |
Aug’20
10/08/20 |
April’20
20/04/20 |
April’20
13/04/20 |
April’20
06/04/20 |
March’20
29/03/20 |
March’20
22/03/20 |
| I feel informed about the situation and the impact on me and my family | 69% | 69% | 66% | 71% | 70% | 63% | 64% |
| I trust the medical experts advising the government on their Covid-19 strategy | 68% | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| I trust my state/territory government to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 63% | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| I trust the federal government to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 52% | 66% | 62% | 65% | 63% | 56% | 56% |
| I trust the media to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 40% | 50% | 41% | 42% | 51% | 42% | 35% |
- Since the start of the pandemic, people are just as likely to agree they feel informed about the situation.
- However, agreement that people trust the federal government to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic has decreased from 66% in August 2020 to 52%.
- Agreement that people trust the media to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic has also decreased in the past 12 months from 50% in August 2020 to 40%.
| TOTAL: Agree | TOTAL: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither disagree nor agree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | |
| I feel informed about the situation and the impact on me and my family | 69% | 13% | 23% | 45% | 19% | 8% | 5% |
| I trust the medical experts advising the government on their Covid-19 strategy | 68% | 12% | 33% | 36% | 19% | 7% | 5% |
| I trust my state/territory government to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 63% | 19% | 23% | 39% | 18% | 10% | 10% |
| I trust the federal government to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 52% | 26% | 18% | 34% | 23% | 14% | 11% |
| I trust the media to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 40% | 33% | 11% | 30% | 27% | 18% | 15% |
- 69% agree they feel informed about the current Covid-19 situation. Agreement is highest among those aged over 55 (77%) and Coalition voters (75%).
- 68% of people agree that they trust the medical experts advising the government on their Covid-19 strategy, while 52% agree that they trust the federal government to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Less than half (40%) of people trust the media to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic.
| TOTAL: Agree | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| I feel informed about the situation and the impact on me and my family | 69% | 69% | 68% | 58% | 69% | 77% | 72% | 75% | 71% | 48% | ||
| I trust the medical experts advising the government on their Covid-19 strategy | 68% | 69% | 68% | 57% | 69% | 78% | 70% | 77% | 65% | 50% | ||
| I trust my state/territory government to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 63% | 62% | 63% | 60% | 61% | 68% | 67% | 69% | 62% | 43% | ||
| I trust the federal government to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 52% | 53% | 51% | 44% | 54% | 56% | 42% | 75% | 37% | 36% | ||
| I trust the media to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 40% | 43% | 37% | 38% | 42% | 40% | 42% | 47% | 36% | 30% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 388 | 405 | 90 | 119 | ||
| TOTAL: Agree | State | ||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
| I feel informed about the situation and the impact on me and my family | 66% | 66% | 66% | 72% | 78% |
| I trust the medical experts advising the government on their Covid-19 strategy | 70% | 59% | 69% | 74% | 75% |
| I trust my state/territory government to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 55% | 54% | 69% | 75% | 80% |
| I trust the federal government to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 49% | 46% | 53% | 62% | 63% |
| I trust the media to provide honest and objective information about the Covid-19 pandemic | 42% | 32% | 39% | 49% | 52% |
| Base (n) | 349 | 276 | 219 | 89 | 111 |
- Those aged over 55 are more likely than those aged 18-34 to agree they feel informed and have trust in governments.
- Trust in state governments is lowest in NSW (55%) and Victoria (54%).
- Victorians are also less likely than others to trust medical experts and the media for Covid-19 information.
Views towards ‘living with’ Covid-19: Preference for elimination vs suppression strategies
Q. Thinking about Australia’s path out of the Covid-19 pandemic, which of the following strategies do you think Australia should pursue?
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Get Covid-19 cases down as close to zero as possible | 44% | 42% | 46% | 53% | 44% | 36% | 52% | 37% | 53% | 31% |
| Live with a few cases of Covid-19, as long as there are very few hospitalisations and deaths | 44% | 43% | 45% | 39% | 45% | 47% | 41% | 48% | 38% | 41% |
| Live with Covid-19, even if there are hospitalisations and deaths | 12% | 15% | 9% | 8% | 11% | 17% | 7% | 15% | 10% | 28% |
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 388 | 405 | 90 | 119 |
| State | |||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
| Get Covid-19 cases down as close to zero as possible | 38% | 37% | 50% | 51% | 59% |
| Live with a few cases of Covid-19, as long as there are very few hospitalisations and deaths | 50% | 46% | 39% | 41% | 35% |
| Live with Covid-19, even if there are hospitalisations and deaths | 11% | 18% | 11% | 8% | 6% |
| Base (n) | 349 | 276 | 219 | 89 | 111 |
- 44% of people prefer a strategy to get Covid-19 cases down as close to zero as possible. The same proportion think we need to live with a few cases of Covid-19, as long as there are very few hospitalisations and deaths (44%).
- 12% are willing to live with Covid-19, even if there are hospitalisations and deaths. Those most likely to have this position include men (15%), those aged over 55 (17%), and minor/independent party voters (28%).
- Victorians are more likely than residents in other states to want to live with Covid-19, even if there are hospitalisations and deaths (18%).
Number of Covid-19 deaths acceptable to ‘live with’
Q. How many deaths nationally from Covid-19 do you think is acceptable to ‘live with’ in Australia as lockdown restrictions are removed?
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Less than 100 deaths per year | 61% | 52% | 70% | 55% | 63% | 65% | 68% | 56% | 53% | 53% |
| Between 100 and 1,000 deaths per year | 25% | 27% | 22% | 25% | 22% | 26% | 21% | 30% | 29% | 17% |
| Between 1,000 and 3,000 deaths per year | 10% | 13% | 7% | 13% | 9% | 8% | 7% | 9% | 15% | 23% |
| Between 3,000 and 5,000 deaths per year | 2% | 3% | 1% | 3% | 2% | 0% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| More than 5,000 deaths per year | 3% | 5% | 1% | 3% | 4% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 4% |
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 388 | 405 | 90 | 119 |
| State | |||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
| Less than 100 deaths per year | 63% | 56% | 62% | 66% | 61% |
| Between 100 and 1,000 deaths per year | 26% | 29% | 19% | 22% | 24% |
| Between 1,000 and 3,000 deaths per year | 8% | 10% | 12% | 11% | 8% |
| Between 3,000 and 5,000 deaths per year | 1% | 2% | 3% | 0% | 3% |
| More than 5,000 deaths per year | 2% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 4% |
| Base (n) | 349 | 276 | 219 | 89 | 111 |
- 61% of people say an ‘acceptable’ number of Covid-19 deaths is less than 100 per year. 25% say between 100 and 1,000 deaths would be ‘acceptable’. Only a small percentage think over 1000 deaths would be acceptable, with 10% saying 1,000 to 3,000, 2% between 3,000 and 5,000, and 3% saying more than 5,000 deaths per year.
| Get Covid-19 cases down as close to zero as possible | Live with a few cases of Covid-19, as long as there are very few hospitalisations and deaths | Live with Covid-19, even if there are hospitalisations and deaths | |
| Less than 100 deaths per year | 78% | 55% | 22% |
| Between 100 and 1,000 deaths per year | 13% | 33% | 35% |
| Between 1,000 and 3,000 deaths per year | 5% | 10% | 28% |
| Between 3,000 and 5,000 deaths per year | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| More than 5,000 deaths per year | 2% | 1% | 12% |
| Base (n) | 482 | 488 | 130 |
- Among those who said Australia should live with Covid-19, even if there are hospitalisations and deaths, 22% would accept up to 100 deaths per year, 35% would accept between 100 and 1,000 deaths, and 28% would accept 1,000 to 3,000.
- Among those who think we should live with Covid-19 as long as there are only a few cases of hospitalisations and deaths, 55% think this would mean less than 100 deaths per year, and 33% between 100 and 1,000 deaths.
Views towards Covid-19 vaccination thresholds (focus on children)
Q. The national cabinet has set targets for easing Covid-19 restrictions once 70% of the adult population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and for lockdowns to stop once 80% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.
These targets are based on the percentage of the adult population who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
| TOTAL: Agree | TOTAL: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither disagree nor agree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | |
| Actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, like wearing masks in crowds and practicing social distancing, should be required even after we achieve the vaccination targets | 65% | 17% | 31% | 34% | 18% | 10% | 7% |
| We should not be easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions until a substantial proportion of children are fully vaccinated | 58% | 19% | 26% | 32% | 24% | 10% | 9% |
| Children should be given priority for the Pfizer vaccine over those in the general population who are eligible for other vaccines | 44% | 23% | 17% | 26% | 34% | 15% | 8% |
| TOTAL: Agree | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, like wearing masks in crowds and practicing social distancing, should be required even after we achieve the vaccination targets | 65% | 62% | 67% | 58% | 61% | 74% | 71% | 66% | 63% | 48% | ||
| We should not be easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions until a substantial proportion of children are fully vaccinated | 58% | 58% | 58% | 52% | 55% | 66% | 65% | 58% | 59% | 43% | ||
| Children should be given priority for the Pfizer vaccine over those in the general population who are eligible for other vaccines | 44% | 47% | 41% | 43% | 41% | 47% | 47% | 46% | 48% | 31% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 388 | 405 | 90 | 119 | ||
| TOTAL: Agree | State | Household Composition | ||||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | Dependent Children | No Dependent Children | ||
| Actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, like wearing masks in crowds and practicing social distancing, should be required even after we achieve the vaccination targets | 73% | 59% | 63% | 63% | 61% | 68% | 63% | |
| We should not be easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions until a substantial proportion of children are fully vaccinated | 60% | 48% | 58% | 59% | 71% | 57% | 58% | |
| Children should be given priority for the Pfizer vaccine over those in the general population who are eligible for other vaccines | 44% | 38% | 46% | 46% | 50% | 48% | 41% | |
| Base (n) | 349 | 276 | 219 | 89 | 111 | 392 | 708 | |
- Most people (65%) expect actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, like wearing masks in crowds and practicing social distancing, should be required even after we achieve the vaccination targets.
- Over half of people agree that we should not be easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions until a substantial proportion of children are fully vaccinated. Agreement for this is highest among those aged over 55 (66%), Labor voters (65%), and those in WA (71%).
- 44% agree that children should be given priority for the Pfizer vaccine over those in the general population who are eligible for other vaccines. Those with dependent children are more likely than those without to agree with this statement (48% to 41%).
Views towards Australia’s involvement in the Afghanistan conflict
Q. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements about Australian involvement in the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan?
| TOTAL: Agree | TOTAL: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither disagree nor agree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | |
| Australia should increase its refugee intake to include more people fleeing the violence in Afghanistan | 48% | 24% | 20% | 28% | 28% | 11% | 12% |
| The government should grant permanent visas to all Afghan nationals currently in Australia | 43% | 26% | 19% | 24% | 31% | 13% | 13% |
| The deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has benefitted Afghanistan and its inhabitants | 42% | 22% | 13% | 28% | 37% | 11% | 11% |
| The deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has improved Australia’s reputation internationally | 36% | 22% | 11% | 25% | 42% | 12% | 10% |
| TOTAL: Agree | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Australia should increase its refugee intake to include more people fleeing the violence in Afghanistan | 48% | 51% | 45% | 53% | 46% | 45% | 54% | 46% | 72% | 29% | ||
| The government should grant permanent visas to all Afghan nationals currently in Australia | 43% | 48% | 37% | 46% | 40% | 42% | 48% | 41% | 65% | 26% | ||
| The deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has benefitted Afghanistan and its inhabitants | 42% | 43% | 40% | 38% | 45% | 42% | 36% | 55% | 38% | 33% | ||
| The deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has improved Australia’s reputation internationally | 36% | 42% | 31% | 35% | 40% | 33% | 30% | 47% | 38% | 27% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 388 | 405 | 90 | 119 | ||
- Around half of people would support Australia increasing its refugee intake in light of recent events in Afghanistan (48%), and 43% agree that permanent visas should be granted for all Afghan nationals currently living in Australia.
- Agreement with increasing Australia’s refugee intake is highest among men (51%), those aged 18-34 (53%), Labor voters (54%) and Greens voters (72%).
- When thinking about the impact of the Afghan conflict, 42% agree that the deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has benefitted Afghanistan and its inhabitants with 22% disagreeing.
- 36% agree that the deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has improved Australia’s reputation internationally, 22% disagree.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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