Essential Report
Necessity of mandatory vaccinations in specific situations
Q. In your opinion, should being vaccinated against Covid-19 be mandatory in the following circumstances?:
Yes | No | Unsure | |
For health workers to work at hospitals, clinics, etc. | 83% | 12% | 5% |
For aged and disability care workers to work at care facilities | 82% | 14% | 5% |
For passengers to go on flights | 77% | 17% | 7% |
For teachers and teachers’ aides to work at schools | 74% | 19% | 7% |
For spectators to attend sports events | 69% | 22% | 9% |
For patrons to visit hospitality and entertainment venues | 68% | 22% | 10% |
For employees to work at their workplace | 62% | 24% | 14% |
For students to attend school | 58% | 26% | 16% |
For customers to shop at retail stores | 58% | 30% | 12% |
- A high majority of people think being vaccinated against Covid-19 should be mandatory for health workers (83%), aged and disability care workers (82%), flight passengers (77%), and teachers and teacher’s aides (74%) – at least three quarters of people think mandatory vaccinations are necessary in each case.
- Around two thirds think mandatory vaccinations are necessary for sports events spectators (69%), hospitality and entertainment venue patrons (68%), and employees going into workplaces (62%).
- Over half think being vaccinated against Covid-19 should be mandatory for students to attend school, and for retail store customers (58% respectively).
TOTAL: Yes | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
For health workers to work at hospitals, clinics, etc. | 83% | 81% | 85% | 74% | 81% | 93% | 84% | 91% | 77% | 68% | ||
For aged and disability care workers to work at care facilities | 82% | 78% | 85% | 70% | 79% | 94% | 84% | 87% | 83% | 66% | ||
For passengers to go on flights | 77% | 73% | 80% | 63% | 74% | 90% | 81% | 81% | 76% | 62% | ||
For teachers and teachers’ aides to work at schools | 74% | 72% | 76% | 61% | 69% | 90% | 78% | 80% | 69% | 58% | ||
For spectators to attend sports events | 69% | 70% | 68% | 55% | 68% | 82% | 72% | 76% | 63% | 53% | ||
For patrons to visit hospitality and entertainment venues | 68% | 69% | 66% | 56% | 65% | 80% | 72% | 74% | 62% | 51% | ||
For employees to work at their workplace | 62% | 63% | 60% | 50% | 60% | 74% | 62% | 71% | 56% | 48% | ||
For students to attend school | 58% | 60% | 56% | 52% | 56% | 65% | 61% | 63% | 58% | 43% | ||
For customers to shop at retail stores | 58% | 59% | 56% | 48% | 57% | 66% | 57% | 67% | 53% | 43% | ||
Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 367 | 389 | 103 | 145 | ||
- In each instance, those aged 18-34 and minor/independent party voters are the least likely to think being vaccinated against Covid-19 should be mandatory.
- While those over 55 are generally more likely to think mandatory vaccinations are necessary in each circumstance, their view is especially pronounced for health workers (93%), aged and disability care workers (94%), flight passengers (90%), and teachers and teachers’ aides (90%).
- Coalition voters are the most likely voters to think mandatory vaccinations are necessary for employees to work at their workplace (71% to 58% all other voters).
- There is no difference between those who have and don’t have dependent children in views towards whether mandatory vaccinations are necessary for students to attend school.

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
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- 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
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