Essential Report
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.
Federal government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the federal government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 16/08 | 02/08 | 19/07 | 05/07 | 07/06 | 24/05 | 12/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 | 15/02 | 01/02 | 30/11 | 16/11 | |
| Very poor | 13% | 16% | 13% | 12% | 10% | 6% | 7% | 5% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 6% | 5% |
| Quite poor | 22% | 19% | 19% | 17% | 14% | 12% | 10% | 7% | 8% | 7% | 11% | 8% | 9% |
| Neither good nor poor | 24% | 28% | 23% | 26% | 22% | 25% | 21% | 18% | 24% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 18% |
| Quite good | 32% | 28% | 32% | 33% | 38% | 40% | 40% | 39% | 39% | 42% | 42% | 41% | 41% |
| Very good | 9% | 10% | 14% | 11% | 15% | 18% | 22% | 31% | 23% | 27% | 25% | 26% | 26% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 35% | 35% | 31% | 30% | 24% | 18% | 17% | 12% | 14% | 12% | 14% | 13% | 15% |
| TOTAL: Good | 41% | 38% | 46% | 44% | 53% | 58% | 62% | 70% | 62% | 69% | 67% | 67% | 67% |
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 1,098 | 1,100 | 1,099 | 1,104 | 1,100 | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,074 | 1,109 | 1,092 | 1,034 | 1,010 |
| TOTAL: Good | 16/08 | 02/08 | 19/07 | 05/07 | 07/06 | 24/05 | 12/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 |
| NSW | 34% | 39% | 49% | 44% | 62% | 56% | 66% | 69% | 64% |
| VIC | 37% | 33% | 39% | 40% | 42% | 57% | 55% | 65% | 51% |
| QLD | 44% | 40% | 46% | 48% | 54% | 56% | 63% | 69% | 66% |
| SA | 45% | 48% | 51% | 48% | 58% | 66% | 62% | 78% | 68% |
| WA | 53% | 37% | 51% | 42% | 49% | 56% | 65% | 75% | 66% |
- 41% of people rate the federal government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak as quite good or very good (38% earlier in the month), with 35% rating it as quite poor or very poor (35% earlier in the month).
- Just 9% of people say the response of the federal government has been very good- the lowest recorded since the start of the pandemic.
- Positive rating of the federal government’s handling of Covid-19 has dropped further in NSW and SA compared to earlier this month (down 5% to 34%, and 3% to 45% respectively). This is the lowest recorded rating for both states.
Positive rating has improved in WA (up 16% to 53%).
State government response to Covid-19
Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| TOTAL: Good | 16/08 | 02/08 | 19/07 | 05/07 | 07/06 | 24/05 | 12/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 | 15/02 | 01/02 | 30/11 | 16/11 |
| NSW | 42% | 47% | 54% | 57% | 69% | 68% | 73% | 75% | 72% | 72% | 71% | 76% | 75% |
| VIC | 56% | 54% | 49% | 50% | 48% | 63% | 58% | 62% | 49% | 59% | 61% | 60% | 59% |
| QLD | 66% | 60% | 62% | 61% | 65% | 68% | 72% | 75% | 73% | 76% | 78% | 72% | 71% |
| SA | 68% | 73% | 68% | 67% | 67% | 71% | 75% | 85% | 78% | 79% | 80% | 70% | 76% |
| WA | 87% | 82% | 77% | 86% | 75% | 77% | 84% | 91% | 85% | 88% | 80% | 83% | 82% |
- Amid the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown in NSW, positive rating of the state government’s response to Covid-19 continues to drop, now at 42% from 47% earlier this month.
- Positive rating of the state government in Victoria is at a consistent level with earlier this month (now at 56%, 54% earlier this month), and has improved compared to this time last month (49%).
- Positive rating of the WA government’s handling of Covid-19 has increased to 82%, an improvement from a month ago (77%).
Confidence in federal government’s long-term plans
Q. Please indicate which is closest to your view about the federal government’s plan for each of the following issues:
| TOTAL: I’m confident the federal government has a long-term plan, and it’s clear to me what this plan is | Aug’21 | May’21 |
| Minimise the long-term impact of remote learning on children and young people’s education | 18% | – |
| Reduce the national deficit | 18% | 16% |
| Reopen international borders | 21% | 21% |
| Establish quarantine facilities | 23% | 21% |
| Protect children and young people from getting Covid-19 | 25% | – |
| The Covid-19 vaccine rollout | 26% | 25% |
- Since May, the federal government has not convinced any more people it has a long-term plan to deal with the major challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- 26% say they are confident the government has a plan, and it’s clear what it is for the vaccine roll-out (25% in May), 23% are clear on the government’s plans for quarantine facilities (21% in May), and 21% think there is a clear long-term plan to reopen international borders (21% in May).
| I’m confident the federal government has a long-term plan, and it’s clear to me what this plan is | I’m confident the federal government has a long-term plan, but it hasn’t been communicated well | I’m not confident the federal government has a long-term plan | |
| Minimise the long-term impact of remote learning on children and young people’s education | 18% | 39% | 43% |
| Reduce the national deficit | 18% | 40% | 42% |
| Reopen international borders | 21% | 38% | 41% |
| Establish quarantine facilities | 23% | 37% | 40% |
| Protect children and young people from getting Covid-19 | 25% | 37% | 38% |
| The Covid-19 vaccine rollout | 26% | 39% | 35% |
- There is uncertainty about the federal government’s long-term plans, or a perception that these plans have not been communicated clearly to the public.
- 43% of people aren’t confident there is a long-term plan from minimising the long-term impact of remote learning on children and young people’s education. 39% are confident a plan exists but think it hasn’t been communicated well.
- Over a third (35%) are not confident the federal government has a long-term plan for protecting children and young people from getting Covid-19. A further third (39%) are confident a plan exists but think it hasn’t been communicated well.
Personal impact of Covid-19
Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects?:
| TOTAL: Agree | Aug’21 | Apr’20 |
| I have a clear idea of what I can and can’t do under social distancing rules | 75% | 79% |
| Social distancing will probably get easier over time | 56% | 61% |
| I’m able to get more things done around the house | 54% | 61% |
| [Asked only to those currently in paid work] I find I’m able to get more things done for work | 38% | 37% |
| I feel lonelier now, than before the pandemic | 37% | 36% |
| I’m worried by the effects of social distancing on my personal relationships | 34% | 29% |
| [Asked only to those currently in paid work] I’m working longer hours than I used to before the pandemic | 30% | 29% |
| I’m developing stronger friendships with people I can only contact via phone or internet | 28% | 31% |
- Compared to last year, many effects of lockdowns have become no more manageable.
- 38% are able to get more things done around the house (37% in April 2020), and 37% say they feel lonelier than before the pandemic (36% in April 2020).
- However, more people than last year say they are worried about the effect of social distancing on their personal relationships (34%, up from 29%), and fewer people say social distancing will get easier (56%, down from 61%), and they are more productive around the house (54%, down from 61%).
| TOTAL: Agree | TOTAL: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither disagree nor agree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | |
| I have a clear idea of what I can and can’t do under social distancing rules | 75% | 10% | 38% | 37% | 15% | 6% | 4% |
| Social distancing will probably get easier over time | 56% | 17% | 15% | 41% | 27% | 11% | 6% |
| I’m able to get more things done around the house | 54% | 14% | 15% | 39% | 32% | 8% | 6% |
| [Asked only to those currently in paid work] I find I’m able to get more things done for work | 38% | 17% | 12% | 27% | 45% | 11% | 5% |
| I feel lonelier now, than before the pandemic | 37% | 37% | 13% | 24% | 25% | 18% | 20% |
| I’m worried by the effects of social distancing on my personal relationships | 34% | 39% | 10% | 24% | 27% | 22% | 17% |
| [Asked only to those currently in paid work] I’m working longer hours than I used to before the pandemic | 30% | 40% | 9% | 21% | 30% | 23% | 17% |
| I’m developing stronger friendships with people I can only contact via phone or internet | 28% | 30% | 7% | 21% | 42% | 17% | 13% |
Concern about the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns on adults
Q. Thinking about Covid-19 lockdowns across Australia, to what extent are you concerned about the effect of lockdowns on the following?
| TOTAL: Concerned | Aug’21 | Jul’21 |
| My financial situation | 54% | – |
| My mental wellbeing | 51% | 50% |
| My physical health | 50% | – |
| [Asked only to those currently in paid work] My risk of unemployment or reduced hours | 48% | – |
| My personal relationships | 43% | 39% |
| [Asked only to those currently in paid work] My work-life balance | 43% | 49% |
- The effect of lockdowns is not getting any easier on people’s mental health, with 51% saying they are concerned with their mental wellbeing (50% in July 2021). 43% say they are concerned for their personal relationships (39% in July 2021), and 43% of people in employment are concerned about their work-life balance (49% in July 2021).
| TOTAL: Concerned | TOTAL:
Not Concerned |
Very concerned | Moderately concerned | Not that concerned | Not concerned at all | |
| My financial situation | 54% | 46% | 21% | 33% | 28% | 18% |
| My mental wellbeing | 51% | 49% | 21% | 30% | 30% | 19% |
| My physical health | 50% | 50% | 16% | 34% | 32% | 17% |
| [Asked only to those currently in paid work] My risk of unemployment or reduced hours | 48% | 52% | 17% | 30% | 28% | 24% |
| My personal relationships | 43% | 57% | 14% | 29% | 34% | 22% |
| [Asked only to those currently in paid work] My work-life balance | 43% | 57% | 13% | 30% | 37% | 20% |
- The biggest cause of concern for people is their financial situation (54%). Around half are concerned for their mental wellbeing (51%) and physical health (50%).
- 48% of those in employment are concerned that the lockdowns will result in unemployment or reduced hours.
Concern about the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns on children
Q. And now thinking about Covid-19 lockdowns and their impact on children, to what extent are you concerned about the effect of lockdowns on the following?
[Asked only to those with dependent children in the household]
| TOTAL: Concerned | Aug’21 | Jul’21 |
| My child(ren) missing out on socialising (with their friends, peers, teachers, etc.) | 69% | – |
| My child(ren)’s mental wellbeing | 65% | 59% |
| My child(ren) falling behind in their learning at school | 61% | 55% |
| My child(ren) developing behavioural issues | 51% | 49% |
| Base (n) | 392 | 433 |
- Parents’ concern for the impact of lockdowns on children has increased since July.
- 65% are now concern for their children’s wellbeing (59% in July), and 61% are concerned their children are falling behind at school (55% in July).
| Asked only to those with dependent children in the household (n=392) | TOTAL: Concerned | TOTAL:
Not Concerned |
Very concerned | Moderately concerned | Not that concerned | Not concerned at all |
| My child(ren) missing out on socialising (with their friends, peers, teachers, etc.) | 69% | 31% | 34% | 35% | 16% | 15% |
| My child(ren)’s mental wellbeing | 65% | 35% | 31% | 34% | 18% | 17% |
| My child(ren) falling behind in their learning at school | 61% | 39% | 30% | 31% | 18% | 21% |
| My child(ren) developing behavioural issues | 51% | 49% | 23% | 27% | 26% | 23% |
| Asked only those with school-aged children, teenagers, or older dependent children in the household (n=275) | ||||||
| My child(ren)’s readiness for life beyond school (e.g. university, work) | 58% | 42% | 29% | 30% | 20% | 22% |
| My child(ren) suffering from exam stress exacerbated by lockdowns | 56% | 44% | 21% | 34% | 19% | 25% |
- The greatest concern for parents is their children missing out on socialising (69%), followed by children’s mental wellbeing (65%).
- Among parents with school-aged children, teenagers or older dependent children, 58% are concerned that the lockdowns will affect their children’s readiness for life beyond school, and 56% are concerned about extra exam stress.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Federal government response to Covid-19
- State government response to Covid-19
- Views towards reopening international borders
- Views towards state border closures
- Comprehension and confidence in PM’s plan to ‘safely reopen’ Australia
- Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
- Necessity of mandatory vaccinations in specific situations
- Views towards easing restrictions for fully vaccinated people
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