The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

  • Aug, 2021

    Stance on anti-lockdown protests

    Q. As you may be aware, there were anti-lockdown protests in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane recently. To what extent do you support or oppose these anti-lockdown protests?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Strongly support 8% 10% 5% 9% 9% 5% 6% 7% 6% 22%
    Somewhat support 10% 11% 9% 18% 11% 4% 13% 8% 14% 9%
    Neither support nor oppose 15% 15% 15% 23% 16% 7% 14% 12% 17% 14%
    Somewhat oppose 10% 10% 10% 9% 12% 10% 9% 10% 15% 7%
    Strongly oppose 57% 53% 60% 41% 53% 74% 58% 62% 48% 48%
    TOTAL: Support 18% 22% 14% 27% 19% 9% 19% 16% 21% 31%
    TOTAL: Oppose 67% 64% 71% 50% 65% 84% 67% 72% 63% 54%
    Base (n) 1,098 537 561 341 372 385 371 402 90 128

     

      State
    NSW VIC QLD SA WA
    Strongly support 8% 6% 10% 6% 9%
    Somewhat support 10% 10% 12% 7% 12%
    Neither support nor oppose 15% 15% 19% 14% 7%
    Somewhat oppose 11% 10% 9% 13% 10%
    Strongly oppose 57% 59% 49% 60% 62%
    TOTAL: Support 17% 17% 22% 14% 21%
    TOTAL: Oppose 68% 69% 59% 73% 72%
    Base (n) 352 276 220 86 111
    • Most people (67%) oppose the recent anti-lockdown protests held around the country, with over half (57%) strongly opposing the protests.
    • Opposition was highest among women (71%), those aged over 55 (84%), and Coalition voters (72%).
  • Aug, 2021

    Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine

    Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia.

    Once a vaccine becomes available to you, how long would you wait before taking it?

      02/08 19/07 05/07 07/06 10/05 26/04 15/03 01/03 18/01 14/12 10/08
    I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible / I’ve already been vaccinated / I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine / I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine 64% 63% 51% 52% 44% 42% 49% 50% 42% 43% 56%
    I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away 25% 27% 33% 36% 42% 42% 40% 40% 47% 46% 35%
    I’d never get vaccinated 11% 11% 16% 13% 14% 16% 12% 10% 11% 10% 8%
    Base (n) 1,098 1,100 1,099 1,104 1,092 1,090 1,124 1,074 1,084 1,071 1,008
    • The vaccine rollout continues to progress, with 64% who have either received a vaccine, or would do so as soon as possible.
    • A quarter (25%) now would wait to receive a vaccine (down from 47% in January).
    • Consistent with last month, 11% say they would never get vaccinated.
  • Aug, 2021

    Preference towards Covid-19 vaccines

    Q. As you may be aware, there are currently two vaccines available in Australia – the Pfizer vaccine and the AstraZeneca (Oxford) vaccine.

    Which of the following is closer to your view?

    [Asked only to those who selected ‘I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible’, ‘I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away’ or ‘I’d never get vaccinated’ when asked the question: ‘The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia. Once a vaccine becomes available to you, how long would you wait before taking it?’]

      02/08 05/07 07/06 26/04
    I would be willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine 24% 20% 35% 34%
    I would be willing to get the AstraZeneca vaccine but not the Pfizer vaccine 3% 4% 6% 3%
    I would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine 47% 42% 30% 28%
    I would not be willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine 14% 18% 14% 15%
    Unsure 12% 16% 15% 20%
    Base (n) 698 806 913 1,005
    • The proportion of Australians who have not yet been vaccinated and are willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine is now at 24% (20% last month).
    • 47% of people have not been vaccinated and would receive the Pfizer, but not the AstraZeneca vaccine. This unwillingness to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine has increased from 28% in April.
    18-39 02/08 05/07 07/06 26/04
    I would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine 48% 41% 30% 28%
    Base (n) 371 431 445 439

     

    40-49 02/08 05/07 07/06 26/04
    I would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine 47% 47% 36% 28%
    Base (n) 105 172 174 138

     

    50-59 02/08 05/07 07/06 26/04
    I would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine 53% 43% 31% 30%
    Base (n) 100 184 168 151

     

    60-69 02/08 05/07 07/06 26/04
    I would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine 41% 21% 18% 27%
    Base (n) 84 174 171 188
    • Unwillingness to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine has increased across all age groups since April.
    • Among those aged 50-59, over half (53%) who are unvaccinated would be unwilling to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine (increase from 30% in April).
    • Among those aged 60-69, 41% of those who are unvaccinated would be unwilling to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine (increase from 27% in April).
      Total Gender Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    I would be willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine 24% 29% 20% 23% 30% 29% 16%
    I would be willing to get the AstraZeneca vaccine but not the Pfizer vaccine 3% 4% 3% 6% 2% 1% 0%
    I would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine 47% 41% 51% 51% 52% 41% 33%
    I would not be willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine 14% 15% 13% 9% 9% 18% 40%
    Unsure 12% 11% 13% 12% 8% 10% 12%
    Base (n) 698 316 382 250 223 71 83
    • Unwillingness to receive the Pfizer vaccine is highest among women (51%).
    • 40% of unvaccinated minor/independent party voters are unwilling to receive either vaccine.
  • Aug, 2021

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    Engagement in ‘risky’ activities

    Q.  In the last two years, have you engaged in any of the following activities?

    TOTAL: Yes Total All respondents who have not been vaccinated and would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine
    Smoked cigarettes (manufactured or roll-your-own) 25% 26%
    Taken recreational drugs 11% 12%
    TOTAL: Drunk more than 10 standard drinks in a week or Drunk more than 4 standard drinks in a day 43% 43%
    TOTAL: Read or sent a text message while driving or Driven without wearing a seatbelt or Ridden a bicycle on a road 34% 34%
    Base (n) 1,098 323

     

    TOTAL: Yes Total All females who have not been vaccinated and would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine
    Taken the birth control pill (oral contraceptive pill) 16% 20%
    Base (n): All females 561 194
    • A notable proportion of people who are unwilling to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine still engage in ‘risky’ activities.
    • In the past two years, 26% have smoked cigarettes, 43% have drunk alcohol over recommended limits, and 34% have engaged in risky behaviour when driving.
    • 20% of women unwilling to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine (but are willing to receive Pfizer) have taken the birth control pill in the past two years.
  • Aug, 2021

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    Support for Covid-19 measures

    Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the following measures in relation to Covid-19 vaccines?

      TOTAL: Support TOTAL: Oppose Strongly support Somewhat support Neither support nor oppose Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose
    Prioritise Pfizer vaccines for people with high-risk medical conditions or occupations 75% 5% 51% 23% 20% 2% 3%
    Require people to prove they are vaccinated before travelling interstate 72% 13% 47% 25% 15% 4% 9%
    Require people to prove they are vaccinated before entering public venues (e.g. restaurants, entertainment venues) 63% 19% 36% 27% 18% 8% 10%

     

    TOTAL: Support Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Prioritise Pfizer vaccines for people with high-risk medical conditions or occupations 75% 73% 77% 70% 74% 80% 76% 80% 73% 65%
    Require people to prove they are vaccinated before travelling interstate 72% 74% 70% 65% 68% 82% 76% 80% 62% 53%
    Require people to prove they are vaccinated before entering public venues (e.g. restaurants, entertainment venues) 63% 66% 60% 60% 59% 70% 65% 70% 64% 45%
    Base (n) 1,098 537 561 341 372 385 371 402 90 128
    • Most people support the prioritisation of Pfizer vaccines for people with high-risk medical conditions or occupations (75%).
    • 72% would support a requirement for people travelling interstate to prove they are vaccinated, and 63% would support requiring people to prove they are vaccinated before entering public venues.
    • Support for all these measures is higher among people aged over 55 than those aged under 55.
  • Aug, 2021

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    Importance for workers to be prioritised to be vaccinated against Covid-19

    Q. Thinking about the safety and welfare of Australians, how important to you is it that each of the following workers are prioritised to be vaccinated against Covid-19?

      TOTAL: Extremely important + Very important TOTAL:

    Not that important + Not at all important

    Extremely important Very important Fairly important Not that important Not at all important
    Emergency services workers (e.g. firefighters, police, paramedics) 86% 6% 70% 16% 8% 3% 3%
    Healthcare workers 86% 5% 71% 15% 9% 3% 2%
    Aged and disability care workers 85% 5% 68% 17% 10% 3% 3%
    Quarantine and border workers 84% 5% 66% 18% 11% 2% 3%
    Teachers and teachers’ aides 79% 7% 49% 30% 14% 4% 3%
    Essential retail workers (e.g. supermarket workers, pharmacy workers) 77% 7% 48% 29% 16% 4% 3%
    Social and support services workers (e.g. family violence and sexual assault workers, community housing workers) 77% 6% 50% 27% 17% 3% 3%
    Transport, postal and warehousing workers (e.g. Couriers, food delivery workers) 75% 8% 42% 33% 17% 5% 3%
    Early childhood educators 74% 8% 46% 29% 17% 5% 3%
    Construction workers 52% 17% 26% 26% 31% 12% 5%
    • Most people say it is extremely important for emergency service workers (70%), healthcare workers (71%), aged and disability care workers (68%), and quarantine and border staff (66%) to be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccines.
    • About half (49%) say it is extremely important for teachers and teacher’s aides to be prioritised for vaccines, and 46% think the same for early childhood educators.
    • The importance of vaccinating those working in education is similar to essential retail workers (48% extremely important), social and support services workers (50%), and transport, postal and warehousing workers (42%).
  • Aug, 2021

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    Views towards proportion of Australian population vaccinated against Covid-19 required for reopening international borders and removing Covid-19 restrictions

    Q. What proportion of the Australian population do you think should be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (i.e. received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine) before Australia reopens its international borders and removes all restrictions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    70% or less 29% 30% 28% 41% 30% 18% 31% 29% 30% 36%
    80% or more 62% 62% 61% 46% 60% 76% 62% 66% 56% 54%
    Unsure 10% 8% 11% 13% 10% 6% 8% 6% 14% 10%
    Base (n) 1,098 537 561 341 372 385 371 402 90 128
    • Most people think more than 80% of the population should be vaccinated before international borders are reopened (62%).
  • Aug, 2021

    Views towards Great Barrier Reef being in danger of long-term damage

    Q. As you may be aware, the Great Barrier Reef is a UN world heritage site. The UN’s educational, scientific and cultural organisation (UNESCO) recently recommended that the Great Barrier Reef should be put on its list of places that are “in danger”.

    Do you think the Great Barrier Reef is in danger of long-term damage?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Yes definitely 46% 44% 48% 50% 47% 42% 56% 33% 69% 43%
    Yes probably 31% 31% 30% 31% 32% 29% 30% 36% 24% 29%
    Probably not 9% 9% 8% 8% 6% 12% 5% 12% 3% 11%
    Definitely not 4% 5% 4% 2% 2% 9% 2% 8% 0% 8%
    Unsure 10% 10% 10% 9% 13% 8% 7% 10% 5% 9%
    TOTAL: Yes definitely + Yes probably 77% 75% 78% 81% 79% 71% 87% 70% 93% 72%
    TOTAL: Probably not + Definitely not 13% 14% 12% 10% 8% 21% 6% 21% 3% 19%
    Base (n) 1,098 537 561 341 372 385 371 402 90 128

     

      State
    NSW VIC QLD SA WA
    Yes definitely 47% 49% 40% 56% 37%
    Yes probably 30% 28% 31% 29% 39%
    Probably not 8% 8% 11% 5% 12%
    Definitely not 5% 3% 9% 1% 3%
    Unsure 11% 11% 9% 9% 8%
    TOTAL: Yes definitely + Yes probably 77% 78% 71% 85% 77%
    TOTAL: Probably not + Definitely not 13% 11% 20% 6% 15%
    Base (n) 352 276 220 86 111
    • The majority of people think the Great Barrier Reef is in danger, with 46% saying it definitely is and 31% saying it probably is.
    • Those most likely to think the reef is in danger include those aged 18-34 (81%), Greens voters (93%) and Labor voters (87%)
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