Essential Report
Coronavirus concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?
| 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | 27/04 | |
| Very concerned | 36% | 25% | 28% | 27% | 32% | 30% | 33% | 34% | 32% | 39% |
| Quite concerned | 48% | 50% | 45% | 48% | 49% | 49% | 47% | 49% | 46% | 44% |
| Not that concerned | 12% | 21% | 23% | 21% | 15% | 16% | 16% | 14% | 18% | 13% |
| Not at all concerned | 3% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3% |
| Base (n) | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 | 1,093 | 1,054 |
| State | |||||||
| Total | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | ||
| Very concerned | 36% | 42% | 46% | 25% | 33% | 26% | |
| Quite concerned | 48% | 46% | 45% | 49% | 44% | 55% | |
| Not that concerned | 12% | 8% | 8% | 19% | 21% | 13% | |
| Not at all concerned | 3% | 3% | 1% | 6% | 1% | 7% | |
| Base (n) | 1,054 | 320 | 281 | 226 | 82 | 98 | |
- Concern about Covid-19 has increased from last month. In June 25% said they were very concerned about the threat of Covid-19 – this has increased to 36% this week.
- Concern is highest in Victoria (46% are very concerned) and NSW (42%), while lower in Queensland (25% and Western Australia (26%).
Coronavirus concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?
| 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | 27/04 | 20/04 | |
| Very concerned | 25% | 28% | 27% | 32% | 30% | 33% | 34% | 32% | 39% | 44% |
| Quite concerned | 50% | 45% | 48% | 49% | 49% | 47% | 49% | 46% | 44% | 43% |
| Not that concerned | 21% | 23% | 21% | 15% | 16% | 16% | 14% | 18% | 13% | 11% |
| Not at all concerned | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 2% |
| Base (n) | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 | 1,093 | 1,054 | 1,051 |
Specific covid-19 concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about these possible impacts of the Covid-19?
| NET: CONCERNED (VERY/SOMEWHAT) | 20/04 | 13/04 |
| The Australian economy as a whole | 87% | 85% |
| General unemployment if companies are forced out of business | 83% | 79% |
| The physical health of close family members | 74% | 73% |
| The impact on my superannuation, savings or investments | 67% | 63% |
| My close family members’ mental health | 64% | 61% |
| My physical health and catching the virus | 64% | 62% |
| My economic situation if I lose my job or have less work | 59% | 58% |
| My ability to buy food and essential items if stores run out | 58% | 58% |
| Children’s development by missing out on school | 56% | 52% |
| My mental health as a result of social distancing | 50% | 47% |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 1,068 |
- Economic issues are seen as most concerning when thinking about the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis. 87% say they are concerned (very/somewhat) about the economy as a whole and 83% are concerned about general unemployment.
- Those aged 18-34 were more likely than other age groups to be concerned about the impact on their mental health (67% to 43%), and that of their families (74% to 601%).
- Concern for children is highest among those in households with dependent children (62% are very or somewhat concerned).
Concern about household expenses
Q. How concerned or unconcerned are you about the current costs of each specific expense for your household?
| Total concern-ed | Total not concern-ed | Very concern-ed | Not at all concern-ed | Don’t know | House-hold does not have this expense | Total concern-ed July 2014 | Very concern-ed July 2014 | |||
| Electricity | 72% | 25% | 34% | 7% | 2% | 1% | 80% | 49% | ||
| Health or medical (includes health insurance) | 67% | 24% | 31% | 6% | 3% | 5% | 76% | 42% | ||
| Food and groceries | 65% | 33% | 25% | 8% | 2% | * | 70% | 29% | ||
| Transport (petrol, car, public transport) | 60% | 36% | 22% | 8% | 2% | 1% | 74% | 35% | ||
| Water | 52% | 40% | 18% | 10% | 3% | 6% | 63% | 29% | ||
| Mortgage or rent | 48% | 32% | 21% | 12% | 3% | 17% | 53% | 26% | ||
| Home insurance | 48% | 37% | 18% | 8% | 4% | 10% | 61% | 27% | ||
| Gas | 43% | 32% | 16% | 9% | 2% | 22% | 54% | 27% | ||
| Internet | 42% | 54% | 12% | 14% | 2% | 1% | 47% | 19% | ||
| Telephone | 39% | 56% | 12% | 16% | 3% | 2% | 51% | 20% | ||
| Education | 38% | 35% | 17% | 12% | 2% | 25% | 51% | 26% |
The household expenses of most concern were electricity (72% concerned), health or medical (67%), food and groceries (65%) and transport (60%).
Since this question was asked in July last year, levels of concern about household expenses has dropped for all items. However, there has been little change in the ranking of issues of concern.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- 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
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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