The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

  • May, 2021

    Concern about military conflict with China

    Q. In the past month, diplomatic tensions between Australia and China have increased, with Australia investing $750M to improve Australian Defence Force training facilities in the Northern Territory and Defence Minister Peter Dutton saying that a war with China over Taiwan should not “be discounted”.

    To what extent are you concerned about Australia engaging in a military conflict with China in the near future?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Extremely concerned 18% 18% 18% 11% 21% 21% 18% 18% 23% 17%
    Very concerned 21% 22% 21% 20% 23% 21% 21% 21% 22% 27%
    Fairly concerned 36% 32% 39% 43% 29% 36% 38% 35% 25% 36%
    Not very concerned 19% 21% 17% 19% 20% 18% 19% 18% 25% 19%
    Not at all concerned 6% 8% 5% 7% 7% 5% 4% 8% 5% 1%
    TOTAL: Concerned 39% 40% 39% 31% 44% 41% 39% 39% 45% 44%
    TOTAL: Not concerned 25% 28% 22% 26% 27% 23% 23% 26% 31% 21%
    Base (n) 1,092 536 556 340 372 380 371 400 109 111
    • 39% of Australians are concerned about Australia engaging in a military conflict with China in the near future, with 18% extremely concerned. 36% are fairly concerned, and a quarter (25%) are not concerned.
    • Those 18-34 are less likely to be concerned about this than older cohorts (31% to 44% of those 35-54 and 41% those over 55).
  • Apr, 2021

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    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?

      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 42% 47% 50% 42% 43% 56%
    I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away 42% 40% 40% 47% 46% 35%
    I’d never get vaccinated 16% 12% 10% 11% 10% 8%
    Base (n) 1,090 1,124 1,074 1,084 1,071 1,010
    • With the rocky start to the nationwide Covid-19 vaccine rollout, 42% of Australians now say they would get vaccinated as soon as possible or they’ve already been vaccinated. This is a drop from last month (47%) and a return to levels at the start of this year / end of last year.
    • About the same proportion of people as last month say that would get vaccinated but not straight away (42%).
    • 16% now say they would never get vaccinated, the highest proportion since first recording data in August last year.
      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible / I’ve already been vaccinated 42% 49% 36% 33% 39% 53% 43% 52% 33% 35%
    I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away 42% 40% 44% 44% 44% 38% 45% 39% 50% 33%
    I’d never get vaccinated 16% 12% 20% 23% 17% 9% 13% 10% 17% 33%
    Base (n) 1,090 539 551 359 289 442 362 414 95 114
    • Those most likely to get the vaccine immediately or already be vaccinated include men (49%) and those aged over 55 (53%) – however for the latter group this is a notable drop from last month (was 60%).
    • Those voting for independent or minor parties are the most likely to say they would never get vaccinated (33%) – another significant increase since last month (20%).
  • Apr, 2021

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    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?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-29 30-49 50-69 70 and over Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    I would be willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine 37% 48% 27% 28% 31% 40% 61% 35% 47% 32% 31%
    I would be willing to get the AstraZeneca vaccine but not the Pfizer vaccine 3% 4% 2% 6% 4% 1% 2% 4% 4% 3% 0%
    I would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine 27% 25% 28% 26% 29% 29% 16% 31% 28% 26% 22%
    I would not be willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine 14% 11% 18% 15% 15% 15% 11% 13% 10% 14% 30%
    Unsure 19% 12% 25% 25% 21% 15% 11% 17% 11% 24% 18%
    Base (n) 1,090 539 551 250 327 339 174 362 414 95 114
    • 37% would be willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine, however, nearly a third (27%) say they would only be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine. 14% would not be willing to get either vaccine, and 19% are unsure. Only 3% would get the AstraZeneca vaccine but not the Pfizer vaccine.
    • Men are much more likely than women to be willing to get either vaccine (48% to 27% respectively); as women are more unsure (25% to 12% men).
    • Willingness to get either vaccine increases with age – while 28% of those 18-29 would be willing to receive either vaccine, this increases to 61% of those 70 and over.
    • Coalition voters are more likely to get either vaccine (47% to 35% Labor, 32% Greens and 31% minor and independent party voters).
    • Despite the recommendation against the AstraZeneca vaccine only applying to under 50s, those 50-69 are on par with those under 50 in terms of their willingness to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine. The proportion of those who would only be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine and not the AstraZeneca vaccine is consistent across all age groups under 70 – 26% of those 18-29, 29% of those 30-49, 29% of those 50-69 compared to 16% of those 70 and over would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine only.
  • Apr, 2021

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    Confidence in Covid-19 vaccine rollout

    Q. As vaccinations against Covid-19 are rolled out across Australia, how confident are you in each of the following?

    That the rollout of vaccinations against Covid-19 in Australia…

    TOTAL: Confident 26/04 01/03 01/02
    … are being done efficiently 43% 68% 68%
    … are being done safely 63% 73% 72%
    … will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country 52% 64% 58%
    Base (n) 1,090 1,074 1,092
    • With the issues affecting the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, now just over half are confident it will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country (52% from 64% last month).
    • Additionally, less than half of Australians are confident the rollout is being done efficiently (43% from 68% last month) and two-thirds are now confident that it is being done safely (63% from 73% last month). 
    TOTAL: Confident Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    … are being done efficiently 43% 46% 41% 50% 43% 39% 39% 56% 32% 32%
    … are being done safely 63% 68% 59% 57% 58% 74% 61% 74% 64% 52%
    … will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country 52% 60% 44% 53% 46% 57% 49% 64% 56% 36%
    Base (n) 1,090 539 551 359 289 442 362 414 95 114
    • While confidence in the Covid-19 rollout has dropped across all demographics, the confidence of those 35-54, has been hit the hardest. Last month, 61% of those aged 35-54 were confident the rollout will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country, now 46% are confident this is the case. This trend is also reflected in confidence in the rollout’s efficiency (was 64%, now 43%) and safety (was 69%, now 58%).
    • Coalition voters are still the most confident that the vaccine rollout is being done efficiently (56%), safely (74%), and will be effective and stopping Covid-19 within the country (64%).
  • Apr, 2021

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    Satisfaction with speed of Covid-19 vaccine rollout

    Q. Which of the following best describes your view on how quickly Australians are being vaccinated against Covid-19?

    They are being vaccinated…

      This week

    26/04

    		 Two weeks ago 12/04
    … much more quickly than I would like 11% 13%
    … a bit more quickly than I would like 9% 8%
    … at about the right speed 21% 19%
    … a bit more slowly than I would like 26% 25%
    … a lot more slowly than I would like 19% 27%
    Unsure 14% 9%
    TOTAL:  More quickly than I would like 19% 20%
    TOTAL:  More slowly than I would like 45% 52%
    Base (n) 1,090 1,368

     

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    … much more quickly than I would like 11% 13% 9% 16% 13% 4% 9% 11% 9% 19%
    … a bit more quickly than I would like 9% 10% 7% 13% 11% 3% 10% 10% 8% 5%
    … at about the right speed 21% 23% 20% 26% 19% 19% 17% 27% 18% 18%
    … a bit more slowly than I would like 26% 25% 27% 23% 19% 36% 30% 29% 24% 17%
    … a lot more slowly than I would like 19% 20% 19% 9% 18% 30% 24% 17% 20% 23%
    Unsure 14% 9% 19% 14% 20% 8% 10% 6% 20% 18%
    TOTAL:  More quickly than I would like 19% 23% 16% 29% 24% 7% 19% 21% 17% 25%
    TOTAL:  More slowly than I would like 45% 45% 45% 32% 36% 66% 54% 45% 45% 39%
    Base (n) 1,090 539 551 359 289 442 362 414 95 114
    • 45% now think Australians are being vaccinated against Covid-19 more slowly than they would like, a drop from two weeks ago (52%), as more participants are unsure about the speed of the vaccination rollout (14% this week, 9% two weeks ago).
    • The proportion of participants who think Australians are being vaccinated more quickly than they would like is on par with last fortnight (19% this week, 20% two weeks ago).
    • Those over 55 are still more likely than younger cohorts to think the vaccine rollout is progressing more slowly than they would like (66% compared to 36% of 35-54 and 32% those 18-34 years old).
    • Labor voters are also still the most likely voters to think the vaccine rollout is progressing more slowly than they would like (54% compared to 45% Coalition voters, 45% Greens voters and 39% independent and minor party voters).
  • Apr, 2021

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    Party most responsible for slow vaccine rollout

    Q. Which do you think is MOST responsible for Australians being vaccinated more slowly than you would like?

    [Asked only to those who think Australians are being vaccinated against Covid-19 a bit / a lot more slowly than they would like]

      This week

    26/04

    		 Two weeks ago 12/04
    The federal government 48% 42%
    State and territory governments 8% 7%
    International supply chains 18% 24%
    Unavoidable delays in the production of vaccines 16% 18%
    Unsure 11% 8%
    Base (n) 505 713

     

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    The federal government 48% 54% 41% 43% 54% 46% 59% 32% 64% 47%
    State and territory governments 8% 9% 7% 12% 10% 6% 5% 12% 6% 7%
    International supply chains 18% 17% 18% 13% 12% 22% 11% 28% 5% 14%
    Unavoidable delays in the production of vaccines 16% 14% 17% 23% 11% 15% 14% 21% 13% 12%
    Unsure 11% 6% 16% 9% 13% 10% 10% 7% 12% 20%
    Base (n) 505 262 243 112 102 291 200 196 40 44
    • Almost half of those who say Australians are being vaccinated more slowly than they would like think the federal government is most responsible for this (48% up from 42% two weeks ago).
    • 18% place the onus on international supply chains (a drop from 24% two weeks ago), followed by 16% (on par with 18% a fortnight ago) who feel unavoidable delays in the production of vaccines are the main reason for the slow progress of the vaccine rollout in Australia.
    • Only 8% think state and territory governments are most responsible and 11% are unsure.
    • Those most likely to place responsibility on the federal government for Australians being vaccinated more slowly than they would like include men (54%), Greens (64%) and Labor voters (59%).
    • Coalition voters are the most likely to think international supply chains are most responsible for the delays (28%, compared to 10% of all other voters).
  • Apr, 2021

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    Time to return to normal

    Q. Thinking about the future, how long do you think it will take for the following to occur?

    APRIL 2021 Within the next six months Seven months up to one year One to two years More than two years Never
    The Covid-19 vaccine rollout will be completed in Australia 7% 23% 42% 21% 7%
    Quarantine will no longer be required after international travel 8% 15% 37% 31% 9%
    The housing market will return pre-pandemic levels 16% 17% 30% 22% 15%
    International travel will be allowed without restriction 7% 14% 32% 40% 8%
    Unemployment will return to pre-pandemic levels 10% 20% 34% 27% 9%
    Australia will pay off its national debt 5% 8% 11% 42% 34%

     

    JULY 2020 Within the next six months Seven months up to one year One to two years More than two years Never
    A Covid-19 vaccine will be developed 9% 21% 43% 20% 6%
    Quarantine will no longer required after international travel 7% 17% 38% 32% 6%
    The housing market will return pre-pandemic levels 7% 15% 35% 38% 5%
    International travel will be allowed without restriction 6% 14% 36% 38% 6%
    Unemployment will return to pre-pandemic levels 6% 13% 27% 48% 6%
    Australia will pay off its national debt 5% 6% 14% 53% 23%
    • Current expectations of when the Covid-19 vaccine rollout will be completed in Australia mirrors expectations in July 2020 of when a Covid-19 vaccine will be developed. The largest cohort (42%) think the rollout will be completed in one to two years, reflecting the 43% last July who thought a Covid-19 vaccine would be developed in one to two years.
    • People are now more optimistic that the housing market will return to pre-pandemic levels, with 16% who currently think this will happen within the next six months, compared to the 7% who thought this last July.
    • People are also now more hopeful that unemployment will return to pre-pandemic levels, with 20% now thinking this could happen in seven months up to one year (20%) or one to two years (34%).
    • However, over a third (34%) now think Australia will never pay off its national debt, with the majority (42%) thinking this will take more than two years.
    • Current expectations of when quarantine will no longer be required after international travel and when international travel will be allowed without restriction also align with expectations last July, with most people thinking this will take one to two years or more than two years.
  • Apr, 2021

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    Performance of Scott Morrison

    Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Scott Morrison is doing as Prime Minister?

    Apr’21 End Mar’21 Mid Mar’21 Feb’21 Jan’21 Dec’20 Nov’20 Oct’20 Sep’20 Aug’20 Jul’20 Jun’20 May’20
    TOTAL: Approve 54% 57% 62% 65% 61% 62% 66% 63% 64% 66% 63% 65% 64%
    TOTAL: Disapprove 37% 35% 29% 28% 30% 28% 25% 27% 28% 23% 27% 26% 27%
    Don’t know 9% 8% 8% 7% 9% 11% 9% 10% 8% 11% 10% 8% 9%
    Base (n) 1,368 1,100 1,124 1,109 1,084 1,071 1,010 1,082 1,076 1,010 1,054 1,059 1,093

     

      Total Federal Voting Intention
    Labor Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Strongly approve 19% 8% 40% 12% 13%
    Approve 34% 28% 49% 24% 22%
    Disapprove 21% 29% 6% 26% 32%
    Strongly disapprove 16% 28% 2% 28% 24%
    Don’t know 9% 7% 3% 10% 9%
    TOTAL: Approve 54% 36% 88% 36% 34%
    TOTAL: Disapprove 37% 57% 8% 55% 56%
    Base (n) 1,368 483 471 123 165

     

    TOTAL: Approve 12 Apr’21 29 Mar’21 15 Mar’21 Feb’21 Jan’21 Dec’20 Nov’20
    Men 61% 65% 65% 65% 62% 68% 65%
    Women 46% 49% 59% 65% 59% 56% 67%
    TOTAL: Disapprove              
    Men 32% 30% 28% 28% 32% 25% 28%
    Women 42% 40% 30% 28% 29% 30% 23%
    • The Prime Minister’s approval rating has dropped to 54% (from 65% in February). This is the lowest rating seen in the last 12 months.
    • Disapproval of the PM among women has increased to 42%, from 28% in February.
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