Essential Report
Statements about Covid-19 Outbreak in Aged Care
Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?
| TOTAL: AGREE | TOTAL: DISAGREE | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | Unsure | |
| Authorities failed to prepare an adequate Covid-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities | 77% | 14% | 38% | 39% | 11% | 3% | 9% |
| Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 | 71% | 17% | 32% | 39% | 13% | 4% | 12% |
| Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents | 67% | 19% | 24% | 42% | 13% | 6% | 14% |
| The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector | 70% | 18% | 34% | 26% | 14% | 4% | 12% |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| TOTAL: AGREE | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | Liberal + National | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| Authorities failed to prepare an adequate Covid-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities | 77% | 77% | 77% | 69% | 78% | 83% | 82% | 79% | 79% | 73% |
| Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 | 71% | 73% | 69% | 62% | 70% | 78% | 74% | 74% | 63% | 73% |
| Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents | 67% | 72% | 62% | 69% | 72% | 61% | 68% | 73% | 68% | 58% |
| The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector | 70% | 70% | 70% | 69% | 71% | 70% | 77% | 68% | 85% | 67% |
| Base (n) | 1,068 | 513 | 555 | 317 | 370 | 381 | 313 | 447 | 96 | 118 |
- There is acknowledgement in the community of a range of factors that have contributed to the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities. A majority of people believe that there was insufficient preparation from authorities (77% agreement) and that long-term underfunding of aged care facilities has worsened the impact.
- Similar numbers also agree that the hygiene and care standards in private care homes has contributed to the spread of (71%) and that community transmission from friends and families of residents has also contributed to the spread (67%).
Coronavirus concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?
| 24/08 | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | |
| Very concerned | 40% | 50% | 43% | 36% | 25% | 28% | 27% | 32% | 30% | 33% | 34% |
| Quite concerned | 46% | 40% | 44% | 48% | 50% | 45% | 48% | 49% | 49% | 47% | 49% |
| Not that concerned | 10% | 7% | 9% | 12% | 21% | 23% | 21% | 15% | 16% | 16% | 14% |
| Not at all concerned | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% |
| Base (n) | 1,068 | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 |
- Concern about Covid-19 has eased this week with 40% very concerned about the threat (down from 50% earlier in the month).
Government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the Government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | |
| Very poor | 7% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
| Quite poor | 8% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 7% | 9% | 9% |
| Neither good, nor poor | 21% | 20% | 20% | 17% | 16% | 18% | 20% | 16% | 17% | 16% | 20% |
| Quite good | 40% | 40% | 40% | 43% | 42% | 40% | 39% | 43% | 41% | 39% | 38% |
| Very good | 24% | 24% | 24% | 27% | 30% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 32% | 32% | 28% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 16% | 16% | 16% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 11% | 13% | 14% |
| TOTAL: Good | 63% | 64% | 64% | 71% | 72% | 70% | 68% | 73% | 73% | 71% | 66% |
| Base (n) | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 | 1,093 |
Participants’ rating of the Federal Government’s handling of the crisis remains stable with 63% rating their response as very or quite good.
State Government response to Covid-19
Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| TOTAL: Very/Quite good | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 |
| New South Wales | 61% | 62% | 63% | 70% | 65% | 67% | 62% | 65% | 70% | 70% | 68% |
| Victoria | 49% | 53% | 49% | 67% | 75% | 72% | 71% | 73% | 71% | 71% | 72% |
| Queensland | 68% | 67% | 69% | 64% | 67% | 68% | 69% | 74% | 66% | 70% | 65% |
- Since the start of the outbreak in Victoria last month, the Victorian state government rating has been the lowest of the three most populous states with around half (49% this week) saying the Victorian Government is doing a Very good, or quite good job responding to Covid-19.
- New South Wales has also seen a decrease in rating, moving from 70% in June to 61% this week.
Coronavirus concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?
| 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | |
| Very concerned | 50% | 43% | 36% | 25% | 28% | 27% | 32% | 30% | 33% | 34% | 32% |
| Quite concerned | 40% | 44% | 48% | 50% | 45% | 48% | 49% | 49% | 47% | 49% | 46% |
| Not that concerned | 7% | 9% | 12% | 21% | 23% | 21% | 15% | 16% | 16% | 14% | 18% |
| Not at all concerned | 3% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% |
| Base (n) | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 | 1,093 |
- Concern about Covid-19 has further increased with 50% of Australians ‘very concerned’, up from 43% last month.
- Concern is higher among capital city residents (92%) compared to non-capital city residents (84%), and lower among those likely to vote for an independent or other party at an election (81%) than all other voters (91%).
Coronavirus concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?
| 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | 27/04 | |
| Very concerned | 43% | 36% | 25% | 28% | 27% | 32% | 30% | 33% | 34% | 32% | 39% |
| Quite concerned | 44% | 48% | 50% | 45% | 48% | 49% | 49% | 47% | 49% | 46% | 44% |
| Not that concerned | 9% | 12% | 21% | 23% | 21% | 15% | 16% | 16% | 14% | 18% | 13% |
| Not at all concerned | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3% |
| Base (n) | 1,058 | 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 | 43% | 48% | 47% | 36% | 40% | 38% | |
| Quite concerned | 44% | 43% | 43% | 47% | 46% | 48% | |
| Not that concerned | 9% | 7% | 7% | 10% | 11% | 9% | |
| Not at all concerned | 4% | 2% | 3% | 7% | 3% | 6% | |
| Base (n) | 1,058 | 352 | 239 | 220 | 88 | 110 | |
- Concern about Covid-19 has increased again – two weeks ago 36% of participants were very concerned about the threat of Covid-19 which has increased to 43%.
- Concern is highest in New South Wales (48% are very concerned) and Victoria (47%), while states where Covid-19 cases aren’t increasing are less concerned (36% very concerned, QLD; 40% SA, 38% WA).
State Government response to Covid-19
Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| All States | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | 27/04 |
| Very poor | 7% | 7% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
| Quite poor | 11% | 11% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 9% |
| Neither good, nor poor | 18% | 18% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 20% | 17% | 17% | 16% | 18% | 17% |
| Quite good | 36% | 36% | 41% | 38% | 39% | 38% | 38% | 39% | 39% | 38% | 41% |
| Very good | 28% | 28% | 28% | 33% | 32% | 30% | 35% | 33% | 34% | 31% | 30% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 18% | 17% | 13% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 11% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 13% |
| TOTAL: Good | 65% | 64% | 69% | 71% | 71% | 68% | 73% | 72% | 73% | 70% | 70% |
| Base (n) | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 | 1,093 | 1,054 |
| TOTAL: Good | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | 27/04 |
| NSW | 62% | 63% | 70% | 65% | 67% | 62% | 65% | 70% | 70% | 68% | 63% |
| VIC | 53% | 49% | 65% | 75% | 72% | 71% | 73% | 71% | 71% | 72% | 77% |
| QLD | 67% | 69% | 64% | 67% | 68% | 69% | 74% | 66% | 70% | 65% | 67% |
| SA | 76% | 79% | 79% | 76% | 79% | 70% | 84% | 80% | 78% | 76% | 77% |
| WA | 82% | 77% | 75% | 77% | 84% | 79% | 83% | 86% | 83% | 79% | 76% |
| VICTORIA ONLY | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | 27/04 |
| Very poor | 13% | 14% | 8% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Quite poor | 17% | 12% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 7% | 9% | 10% | 11% | 8% | 6% |
| Neither good, nor poor | 17% | 25% | 22% | 13% | 16% | 17% | 16% | 15% | 15% | 17% | 14% |
| Quite good | 34% | 32% | 38% | 39% | 38% | 39% | 37% | 38% | 34% | 32% | 40% |
| Very good | 19% | 17% | 26% | 36% | 34% | 33% | 36% | 33% | 37% | 40% | 37% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 30% | 26% | 13% | 11% | 12% | 11% | 11% | 14% | 14% | 11% | 9% |
| TOTAL: Good | 53% | 49% | 65% | 75% | 72% | 71% | 73% | 71% | 71% | 72% | 77% |
| Base (n) | 239 | 281 | 261 | 275 | 275 | 275 | 275 | 267 | 275 | 275 | 272 |
- Victoria’s rating of their State Government’s performance is still well below their results in June and is steady during the last fortnight (53%).
- South Australia (76%) and Western Australia (82%) have the highest state government ratings for handling the crisis.
Government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the Government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | 27/04 | |
| Very poor | 6% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
| Quite poor | 11% | 10% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 7% | 9% | 9% | 9% |
| Neither good, nor poor | 20% | 20% | 17% | 16% | 18% | 20% | 16% | 17% | 16% | 20% | 17% |
| Quite good | 40% | 40% | 43% | 42% | 40% | 39% | 43% | 41% | 39% | 38% | 44% |
| Very good | 24% | 24% | 27% | 30% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 32% | 32% | 28% | 26% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 16% | 16% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 11% | 13% | 14% | 13% |
| TOTAL: Good | 64% | 64% | 71% | 72% | 70% | 68% | 73% | 73% | 71% | 66% | 70% |
| Base (n) | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 | 1,093 | 1,054 |
- Participants’ rating of the Federal Government’s handling of the crisis is stable from last fortnight, with 64% rating the response as good (either very or quite good).
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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