Coronavirus concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?
21/09 | 07/09 | 24/08 | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | |
Very concerned | 36% | 37% | 40% | 50% | 43% | 36% | 25% | 28% | 27% | 32% | 30% |
Quite concerned | 45% | 45% | 46% | 40% | 44% | 48% | 50% | 45% | 48% | 49% | 49% |
Not that concerned | 15% | 13% | 10% | 7% | 9% | 12% | 21% | 23% | 21% | 15% | 16% |
Not at all concerned | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% |
Base (n) | 1,081 | 1,076 | 1,068 | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 |
- There has been no shift in concern about threat of Covid-19 in the past two weeks with 36% very concerned about the threat (37% in early September).
Federal government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the federal government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
21/09 | 07/09 | 24/08 | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | |
Very poor | 5% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 4% |
Quite poor | 13% | 12% | 11% | 8% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 6% |
Neither good, nor poor | 21% | 22% | 22% | 21% | 20% | 20% | 17% | 16% | 18% | 20% | 16% |
Quite good | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 43% | 42% | 40% | 39% | 43% |
Very good | 21% | 18% | 22% | 24% | 24% | 24% | 27% | 30% | 30% | 28% | 30% |
TOTAL: Poor | 18% | 19% | 17% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 11% |
TOTAL: Good | 61% | 59% | 61% | 63% | 64% | 64% | 71% | 72% | 70% | 68% | 73% |
Base (n) | 1,081 | 1,076 | 1,068 | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 |
- Rating of the Federal Government’s handling of Covid-19 stays steady at 61% rating it very or quite good (59% earlier in the month).
Attitudes to latest Victorian restrictions (VICTORIA ONLY)
Q. On 6 September, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the state’s roadmap for easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the updated restrictions?
TOTAL: AGREE | 21/09 | 10/08 |
I have a good understanding of what I am and am not allowed to do under the current restrictions | 74% | 80% |
The restrictions affecting my area seem appropriate | 60% | 67% |
The restrictions affecting my area will be effective at stopping the spread of Covid-19 | 64% | 63% |
State & federal governments are doing enough to help people and businesses that are negatively affected by the restrictions | 40% | 54% |
The changes won’t have much impact on my own lifestyle | 45% | 46% |
VICTORIA ONLY | TOTAL:
Agree |
TOTAL: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither agree, nor disagree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree |
I have a good understanding of what I am and am not allowed to do under the current restrictions | 74% | 6% | 43% | 31% | 20% | 2% | 4% |
The restrictions affecting my area seem appropriate | 60% | 19% | 29% | 31% | 21% | 9% | 9% |
The restrictions affecting my area will be effective at stopping the spread of Covid-19 | 64% | 10% | 29% | 35% | 26% | 5% | 5% |
State & federal governments are doing enough to help people and businesses that are negatively affected by the restrictions | 40% | 24% | 15% | 26% | 36% | 16% | 8% |
The changes won’t have much impact on my own lifestyle | 45% | 32% | 20% | 25% | 23% | 18% | 15% |
- 74% of Victorians agree they have a good understanding of what they are (and are not) allowed to do under the current restrictions, this hasn’t changed significantly from the 80% who agreed earlier the lockdowns. 60% agree that the restrictions are appropriate and 64% agree that the restrictions are effective at stopping the spread of the virus.
- 40% agree that enough is being done to help people and businesses that are negatively affected by the restrictions, this is lower that the 54% who agreed last month.
Attitudes towards Queensland border closure
Q. To what extent do you support or oppose the Queensland state government decision to close its borders to Victoria, New South Wales and ACT to prevent the spread of Covid-19?
Total | State | |||||
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | ||
Strongly oppose | 13% | 20% | 14% | 10% | 5% | 1% |
Somewhat oppose | 13% | 16% | 13% | 12% | 7% | 7% |
Somewhat support | 31% | 34% | 35% | 20% | 23% | 31% |
Strongly support | 36% | 23% | 29% | 50% | 55% | 54% |
Unsure | 8% | 7% | 10% | 8% | 9% | 7% |
TOTAL: Oppose | 25% | 36% | 26% | 22% | 13% | 8% |
TOTAL: Support | 66% | 57% | 64% | 70% | 78% | 85% |
Base (n) | 1,081 | 352 | 274 | 212 | 85 | 104 |
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | Liberal + National | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
Strongly oppose | 13% | 15% | 10% | 6% | 11% | 19% | 9% | 17% | 8% | 24% |
Somewhat oppose | 13% | 15% | 11% | 14% | 11% | 14% | 9% | 18% | 12% | 15% |
Somewhat support | 31% | 31% | 30% | 40% | 29% | 25% | 35% | 30% | 32% | 24% |
Strongly support | 36% | 33% | 39% | 30% | 39% | 38% | 39% | 31% | 40% | 30% |
Unsure | 8% | 7% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 5% | 8% | 4% | 8% | 7% |
TOTAL: Oppose | 25% | 30% | 22% | 20% | 22% | 33% | 17% | 35% | 20% | 39% |
TOTAL: Support | 66% | 64% | 69% | 70% | 67% | 62% | 74% | 61% | 73% | 54% |
Base (n) | 1,081 | 539 | 542 | 338 | 374 | 369 | 298 | 460 | 115 | 104 |
- Two-thirds (66%) of Australians support the closure of its internal borders. Support for the decision is high in Queensland (70%), WA (85%) and SA (78%) support is lower in NSW (57%).
Government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the Government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
07/09 | 24/08 | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | |
Very poor | 8% | 6% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% |
Quite poor | 12% | 11% | 8% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 7% |
Neither good, nor poor | 22% | 22% | 21% | 20% | 20% | 17% | 16% | 18% | 20% | 16% | 17% |
Quite good | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 43% | 42% | 40% | 39% | 43% | 41% |
Very good | 18% | 22% | 24% | 24% | 24% | 27% | 30% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 32% |
TOTAL: Poor | 19% | 17% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 11% |
TOTAL: Good | 59% | 61% | 63% | 64% | 64% | 71% | 72% | 70% | 68% | 73% | 73% |
Base (n) | 1,076 | 1,068 | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 |
- Participants’ rating of the Federal Government’s handling of Covid-19 crisis slips for the fourth consecutive week. From a high of 73% positive rating in May, 59% now say the Government’s handling has been good.
State Government response to Covid-19
Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
TOTAL: Good | 07/09 | 24/08 | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 |
NSW | 57% | 59% | 61% | 62% | 63% | 70% | 65% | 67% | 62% | 65% | 70% |
VIC | 50% | 47% | 49% | 53% | 49% | 65% | 75% | 72% | 71% | 73% | 71% |
QLD | 66% | 73% | 68% | 67% | 69% | 64% | 67% | 68% | 69% | 74% | 66% |
SA | 74% | 65% | 72% | 76% | 79% | 79% | 76% | 79% | 70% | 84% | 80% |
WA | 87% | 84% | 86% | 82% | 77% | 75% | 77% | 84% | 79% | 83% | 86% |
- Positive rating of the NSW Government’s continues to slide, with another -2%pts movement this week to 57%. This is down from a high of 70% in June.
- Positive rating of the Victorian Government remains steady at 50%, though the majority of this survey was completed before the announcement of the lock-down extension in Victoria on Sunday 6th
- Positive rating of the Queensland state government’s handing dropped to 66% this week from 73% a fortnight ago.
Expected restriction levels
Q. In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, what do you expect will happen to the restriction levels in your local area over the next two months?
07/09 | 24/08 | |
I expect restrictions will become tighter | 15% | 39% |
I expect no change to the restrictions | 43% | 39% |
I expect restrictions will have eased | 42% | 22% |
Base (n) | 1,076 | 1,058 |
State | ||||||
Total | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
I expect restrictions will become tighter | 15% | 19% | 9% | 20% | 10% | 9% |
I expect no change to the restrictions | 43% | 46% | 31% | 48% | 42% | 53% |
I expect restrictions will have eased | 42% | 35% | 60% | 32% | 48% | 38% |
Base (n) | 1,076 | 352 | 275 | 215 | 88 | 99 |
- A general expectation of an easing of restrictions in the next two months suggests Australians feel the worst effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have passed. Just 15% think tighter restrictions will be required in the next two months and 42% expect an easing of restrictions.
- The expectation of easing restrictions is highest in Victoria (60%), as this state currently has the strictest requirements. The majority of this survey was completed before the announcement of the lock-down extension in Victoria on Sunday 6th
Responsibility for Covid-19 Outbreak in Aged Care
Q. In your opinion, who is most responsible for the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?
07/09 | 24/08 | |
Federal Government | 31% | 28% |
State or Territory governments | 28% | 30% |
Aged Care providers | 41% | 42% |
Base (n) | 1,076 | 1,068 |
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | Liberal + National | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
Federal Government | 31% | 36% | 27% | 37% | 35% | 22% | 42% | 23% | 34% | 34% |
State or Territory governments | 28% | 29% | 28% | 37% | 27% | 23% | 26% | 33% | 31% | 17% |
Aged care providers | 41% | 36% | 45% | 26% | 38% | 55% | 32% | 44% | 35% | 49% |
Base (n) | 1076 | 524 | 552 | 326 | 365 | 385 | 321 | 390 | 108 | 138 |
- Responsibility for the outbreaks in aged care is shared between Federal and state governments, an aged care providers. Consistent with results a fortnight ago, 42% say the providers hold the most responsibility (42% in last poll), 31% identify the Federal government (no change from 28%) and 28% the state governments (from 30%).
- Women, people aged over 55 and Coalition voters are most likely to hold aged care providers responsible, while Labor voters are more likely to say the Federal government has the most responsibility (42%).

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
- Federal government response to Covid-19
- State government response to Covid-19
- Confidence in Labor government handling of Covid-19 pandemic
- Satisfaction with speed of Covid-19 vaccine rollout
- Party most responsible for slow vaccine rollout
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