Economic expectations post Covid-19
Q. Which of the following is closer to your expectations of what will happen to the economy following the Covid-19 situation?
14/12 | 27/04 | 20/04 | 13/04 | 06/04 | |
The economy will rebound within 2-3 months and grow just as strong or stronger than before Covid-19 | 18% | 13% | 11% | 12% | 11% |
The economy will be impacted for 6-12 months or longer and will stagnate or show slow growth thereafter | 43% | 49% | 47% | 49% | 51% |
Covid-19 will have long lasting impact on the economy and the country will fall into a lengthy recession | 22% | 28% | 30% | 27% | 29% |
Unsure | 17% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 9% |
Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,054 | 1,051 | 1,068 | 1,069 |
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
The economy will rebound within 2-3 months and grow just as strong or stronger than before Covid-19 | 18% | 27% | 10% | 18% | 22% | 15% | 15% | 25% | 13% | 21% | ||
The economy will be impacted for 6-12 months or longer and will stagnate or show slow growth thereafter | 43% | 42% | 44% | 45% | 38% | 47% | 47% | 48% | 46% | 36% | ||
Covid-19 will have long lasting impact on the economy and the country will fall into a lengthy recession | 22% | 18% | 25% | 18% | 25% | 22% | 25% | 17% | 32% | 33% | ||
Unsure | 17% | 13% | 20% | 19% | 15% | 16% | 13% | 10% | 10% | 10% | ||
Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 | ||
- There is now more uncertainty about the future of the economy than earlier in the year. 17% say they are unsure how the economy will rebound following Covid-19, up from 10% in April.
- 18% think the economy will rebound in the next 2-3 months (up from 13% in April) and 22% think Covid-19 will cause a long-term recession (down from 28%).
- However most people think there will be some growth in the economy after 6-12 months (43%).
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. Once a vaccine for Covid-19 becomes available in Australia, how long would you wait before taking it?
14/12 | 10/08 | |
I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible | 43% | 56% |
I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 46% | 35% |
I’d never get vaccinated | 10% | 8% |
Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,010 |
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 | 43% | 53% | 35% | 35% | 41% | 53% | 44% | 48% | 45% | 42% | ||
I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 46% | 41% | 51% | 54% | 48% | 38% | 52% | 43% | 44% | 39% | ||
I’d never get vaccinated | 10% | 6% | 14% | 11% | 11% | 9% | 5% | 8% | 11% | 19% | ||
Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 | ||
- Fewer people say they would get a Covid-19 vaccine immediately than earlier in the year. 43% would get a vaccine as soon as possible, down from 56% in August. 46% would get vaccinated, but just not straight away (up from 35%) and 10% say they would never get vaccinated.
- Those most likely to get the vaccine immediately include men (53%), those aged over 55 (53%).
- Those voting for independent of minor parties are most likely to say they would never get a vaccine (19%).
Size of Christmas gatherings
Q. If you are hosting or attending a Christmas gathering this year, will there be:
Total | Gender | Age Group | |||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |||
More people attending than in previous years | 8% | 14% | 3% | 12% | 12% | 2% | |
About the same amount of people attending | 34% | 33% | 34% | 29% | 32% | 40% | |
Less people attending than in previous years | 24% | 22% | 25% | 32% | 22% | 17% | |
Not sure | 12% | 12% | 13% | 13% | 14% | 11% | |
Not hosting or attending a Christmas gathering this year | 22% | 20% | 24% | 14% | 20% | 31% | |
Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | |
- A quarter of people will be hosting or attending a smaller gathering than usual this Christmas, but more will either be hosting or attending the same size gathering as usual (34%) or more (8%).
Christmas gift spending
Q. When considering your Christmas gift spending this year compared with previous years are you likely to:
Total | Gender | Age Group | |||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |||
Spend more than usual | 13% | 18% | 8% | 16% | 18% | 5% | |
Spend roughly the same as usual | 48% | 51% | 46% | 42% | 45% | 57% | |
Spend less than usual | 31% | 26% | 36% | 30% | 30% | 32% | |
Not sure | 8% | 6% | 11% | 12% | 7% | 6% | |
Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | |
- Just under half of people intend to spend about the same amount as usual on Christmas gifts (48%), but 31% say they will spend less than usual.
Shopping Australian made this Christmas
Q. How likely are you to give Australian made gifts this year, compared with previous years?
Total | Gender | Age Group | |||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |||
Much more likely | 18% | 22% | 15% | 15% | 24% | 16% | |
Somewhat more likely | 34% | 34% | 34% | 32% | 32% | 38% | |
Somewhat less likely | 12% | 14% | 10% | 20% | 10% | 6% | |
Much less likely | 7% | 6% | 7% | 9% | 6% | 5% | |
Not sure | 29% | 24% | 35% | 25% | 28% | 35% | |
Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | |
- Just over a third of people (34%) are somewhat more likely to give Australian made gifts this year compared with previous years, and 18% say they are much more likely to do this.
Who is favoured by changes to industrial relations laws
Q. Generally speaking, when Federal Liberal-National Coalition Governments make changes to industrial relations laws, do you think they tend to favour employers and businesses, employees or strike a balance between the two?
Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
The changes tend to favour employers and businesses | 52% | 64% | 41% | 71% | 53% |
The changes tend to favour employees | 17% | 14% | 19% | 16% | 18% |
The changes tend to strike a balance between the two | 31% | 22% | 40% | 13% | 29% |
Base (n) | 1,071 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 |
- Over half of people think changes made to industrial relations laws made by a Liberal-National government tend to favour businesses and employers (52%), while just 17% think they favour employees.
- Coalition voters are most likely to say changes made by a Coalition government strike a balance (40%), but 41% think changes favour businesses and 19% employees.
Expectations of outcomes from changes to industrial relations laws
Q. The Federal Government has announced new workplace reforms requiring employers to offer permanent employment to casual workers who have been with the same employer for a year and have had regular shifts for six months during that time.
Do you expect these changes to industrial relations laws will be good or bad for the following?
TOTAL:
Very good / Quite good |
Neither good nor bad | TOTAL:
Very bad / Quite bad |
Don’t know | |
Big businesses | 41% | 34% | 12% | 14% |
Small businesses | 35% | 33% | 19% | 12% |
Employees | 48% | 24% | 17% | 12% |
People looking for work | 39% | 28% | 20% | 13% |
People in casual work | 51% | 20% | 17% | 12% |
TOTAL: Very good / Quite good | Total | Federal Voting Intention | |||
Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
Big businesses | 41% | 44% | 42% | 41% | 44% |
Small businesses | 35% | 40% | 39% | 30% | 34% |
Employees | 48% | 43% | 57% | 49% | 48% |
People looking for work | 39% | 39% | 42% | 37% | 37% |
People in casual work | 51% | 44% | 42% | 41% | 44% |
- The proposed changes to the industrial relations laws are expected to be good news for those in casual work (51% think the changes will be very good, or quite good), and employees (48%).
- It is expected that there will be less benefit to small businesses (35% think the changes will very or quite good) and those looking for work (39%) as a result of the changes.
Views towards changes to industrial relations laws and casual workers
Q. According to the Fair Work Commission, “A casual employee does not have a firm commitment in advance from an employer about how long they will be employed for, or the days (or hours) they will work. A casual employee also does not commit to all work an employer might offer. For example, an employee who works to a roster that could change each week and can refuse or swap shifts is casual.”
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
The law should be changed now to make it easier for casual workers to become permanent employees if they want to, so they have greater certainty in their lives | 57% | 56% | 59% | 52% | 57% | 62% | 59% | 56% | 55% | 67% | ||
Now is not the right time to make changes to the rules for casual workers, because economic uncertainty means there needs to be as much flexibility in the workplace as possible | 43% | 44% | 41% | 48% | 43% | 38% | 41% | 44% | 45% | 33% | ||
Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 | ||
- Views are split on whether this is the right time to change the industrial relations laws regarding casual workers. While the majority think the laws should be changed (57%), there is a sizeable minority (43%) who believe now is not the right time to make these changes.

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Download this week's ReportEssential Report
Two Party Preferred:
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Top Federal Government priorities for 2021
- Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
- Perceptions of change in the standard of living for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Changing views towards Australia Day
- Support towards a separate national day
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