Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia.
Which of the following best describes your situation?
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine /
I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine |
75% | 74% | 75% | 63% | 73% | 86% | 77% | 81% | 74% | 61% | ||
I’ve booked my vaccination and am waiting to get my first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine | 9% | 10% | 8% | 16% | 9% | 2% | 7% | 9% | 10% | 8% | ||
I will get vaccinated but haven’t booked my vaccination yet | 10% | 9% | 11% | 15% | 10% | 6% | 13% | 6% | 10% | 8% | ||
I’d never get vaccinated | 7% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 5% | 3% | 4% | 6% | 23% | ||
Base (n) | 1,094 | 539 | 555 | 341 | 368 | 385 | 366 | 397 | 101 | 130 | ||
State | |||||
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine /
I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine |
83% | 77% | 67% | 60% | 70% |
I’ve booked my vaccination and am waiting to get my first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine | 7% | 9% | 8% | 15% | 11% |
I will get vaccinated but haven’t booked my vaccination yet | 4% | 8% | 16% | 12% | 14% |
I’d never get vaccinated | 6% | 6% | 9% | 13% | 4% |
Base (n) | 348 | 277 | 211 | 89 | 111 |
- Uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine continues to increase, with 75% having received at least a first dose. A further 9% are waiting to receive a first dose they have already booked in.
- Overall, 7% of people say they do not intend to get a vaccine, but this is highest among those intending to vote for a minor party at 23% (e.g. One Nation or UAP) or an independent candidate at the next federal election.
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia.
Which of the following best describes your situation?
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine /
I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine |
69% | 72% | 66% | 53% | 67% | 86% | 65% | 80% | 67% | 57% | ||
I’ve booked my vaccination and am waiting to get my first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine | 11% | 10% | 12% | 20% | 11% | 4% | 13% | 10% | 13% | 9% | ||
I will get vaccinated but haven’t booked my vaccination yet | 14% | 13% | 15% | 20% | 15% | 7% | 16% | 8% | 16% | 18% | ||
I’d never get vaccinated | 6% | 6% | 6% | 8% | 7% | 3% | 6% | 2% | 4% | 15% | ||
Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 367 | 389 | 103 | 145 | ||
State | |||||
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine /
I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine |
75% | 66% | 72% | 59% | 63% |
I’ve booked my vaccination and am waiting to get my first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine | 12% | 15% | 6% | 10% | 10% |
I will get vaccinated but haven’t booked my vaccination yet | 9% | 14% | 14% | 26% | 19% |
I’d never get vaccinated | 5% | 6% | 8% | 4% | 8% |
Base (n) | 352 | 274 | 217 | 89 | 111 |
- 69% of people say they’ve had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 11% say they’ve booked their Covid-19 vaccination and are waiting for their first dose.
- 14% say they will get vaccinated but haven’t booked an appointment yet.
- Those most likely to say they’ve had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine include men (72%), those aged over 55 (86%), Coalition voters (80%), those in NSW (75%) and Queenslanders (72%).
- 20% of people aged 18-34 have booked their vaccination and are waiting for their first dose. However, a further 20% say they haven’t booked their vaccination yet (20%).
- Only 6% of people now say they would never get vaccinated – the lowest number recorded this year.
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine – Adults
Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia.
Once a vaccine becomes available to you, how long would you wait before taking it?
16/08 | 02/08 | 19/07 | 05/07 | 07/06 | 10/05 | 26/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 | 18/01 | 14/12 | 10/08 | |
I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible / I’ve already been vaccinated / I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine / I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine | 68% | 64% | 63% | 51% | 52% | 44% | 42% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 43% | 56% |
I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 24% | 25% | 27% | 33% | 36% | 42% | 42% | 40% | 40% | 47% | 46% | 35% |
I’d never get vaccinated | 8% | 11% | 11% | 16% | 13% | 14% | 16% | 12% | 10% | 11% | 10% | 8% |
Base (n) | 1,100 | 1,098 | 1,100 | 1,099 | 1,104 | 1,092 | 1,090 | 1,124 | 1,074 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,008 |
- The vaccine rollout continues to progress, with 68% who have either received a vaccine, or would do so as soon as possible.
- A quarter (24%) now would wait to receive a vaccine (down from 47% in January).
- 8% say they would never get vaccinated (11% earlier in August).
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine – Children
Q. It has recently been announced that children aged 12-15 with underlying health conditions can receive the Pfizer vaccine in Australia once enough vaccines are available.
Once a vaccine becomes available to your child(ren), how long would you wait before getting them to take it?
[Asked only to those with dependent children in the household]
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
I’d get my child(ren) vaccinated as soon as possible | 50% | 54% | 46% | 43% | 46% | 74% | 54% | 54% | 44% | 35% |
I’d get my child(ren) vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 41% | 39% | 42% | 44% | 46% | 19% | 37% | 41% | 45% | 52% |
I’d never get my child(ren) vaccinated | 10% | 7% | 12% | 14% | 8% | 7% | 9% | 5% | 11% | 12% |
Base (n) | 392 | 168 | 224 | 122 | 206 | 64 | 144 | 132 | 38 | 45 |
State | |||||
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA* | WA* | |
I’d get my child(ren) vaccinated as soon as possible | 58% | 49% | 50% | 31% | 31% |
I’d get my child(ren) vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 30% | 46% | 41% | 58% | 54% |
I’d never get my child(ren) vaccinated | 12% | 4% | 8% | 11% | 16% |
Base (n) | 123 | 94 | 84 | 31 | 41 |
*Caution: Small base sizes
- Half of parents say would have their children vaccinated as soon as they are eligible, while 41% would not do it straight away. 10% say they would never vaccinate their children against Covid-19.
- Intention to vaccinate their children as soon as possible is highest among parents who are men (54%), those aged over 55 (74%), and Labor and Coalition voters (54% respectively). Parents in NSW are most likely to vaccinate their children as soon as possible (58%).
Support for mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations
Q. Some have suggested that Covid-19 vaccinations should be mandatory for workers in occupations with a high Covid-19 transmission risk (e.g. healthcare, aged and disability care, education).
To what extent would you support or oppose mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for workers in occupations with a high Covid-19 transmission risk?
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
Strongly support | 52% | 53% | 51% | 40% | 49% | 65% | 54% | 57% | 47% | 45% |
Somewhat support | 23% | 23% | 22% | 29% | 23% | 17% | 23% | 24% | 24% | 22% |
Neither support nor oppose | 15% | 14% | 15% | 19% | 15% | 11% | 14% | 10% | 19% | 18% |
Somewhat oppose | 5% | 6% | 4% | 7% | 5% | 2% | 5% | 4% | 6% | 2% |
Strongly oppose | 6% | 4% | 8% | 5% | 8% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 14% |
TOTAL: Support | 75% | 76% | 73% | 69% | 72% | 82% | 77% | 82% | 72% | 67% |
TOTAL: Oppose | 10% | 9% | 12% | 12% | 13% | 7% | 9% | 8% | 9% | 15% |
Base (n) | 1,100 | 538 | 562 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 376 | 384 | 116 | 122 |
- Three-quarters of people would support the introduction of mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for workers in occupations with a high Covid-19 transmission risk, with just 10% opposing.
- Support is highest among those aged over 55 (82%). Over half of both Coalition and Labor voters would strongly support the introduction of mandatory vaccines for high-risk workers (57% and 54%).
State | |||||
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
Strongly support | 59% | 50% | 56% | 36% | 43% |
Somewhat support | 22% | 21% | 19% | 32% | 28% |
Neither support nor oppose | 11% | 16% | 17% | 19% | 18% |
Somewhat oppose | 4% | 5% | 3% | 6% | 7% |
Strongly oppose | 5% | 8% | 5% | 7% | 5% |
TOTAL: Support | 80% | 71% | 75% | 68% | 71% |
TOTAL: Oppose | 9% | 13% | 8% | 13% | 11% |
Base (n) | 352 | 277 | 219 | 87 | 109 |
Responsible party for managing mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations
Q. If Covid-19 vaccinations became mandatory for workers in occupations with a high Covid-19 transmission risk, which of the following do you think should be responsible for managing this compliance?
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
The federal government | 39% | 42% | 35% | 38% | 39% | 39% | 40% | 40% | 41% | 35% |
State governments | 30% | 29% | 31% | 32% | 31% | 27% | 30% | 31% | 25% | 29% |
Employers | 31% | 29% | 34% | 30% | 30% | 34% | 30% | 29% | 34% | 37% |
Base (n) | 1,100 | 538 | 562 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 376 | 384 | 116 | 122 |
State | |||||
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
The federal government | 35% | 42% | 37% | 46% | 39% |
State governments | 34% | 26% | 31% | 27% | 29% |
Employers | 31% | 32% | 31% | 27% | 32% |
Base (n) | 352 | 277 | 219 | 87 | 109 |
- More people think the federal government should be responsible for managing vaccine compliance among high-risk works (39%) than state governments (30%), or individual employers (31%).
Views towards workplace Covid-19 vaccination programs
Q. Some employers are asking the government to allow workplace vaccination programs where employees can get a Covid-19 vaccine at work (in the same way employees can get flu shots at work).
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
The government should indemnify employers who provide Covid-19 vaccinations to their employees through workplace vaccination programs | 68% | 68% | 68% | 58% | 68% | 77% | 69% | 72% | 66% | 59% |
If employers insist their employees get vaccinated against Covid-19 through workplace vaccination programs, employers should be the ones liable if anything goes wrong | 32% | 32% | 32% | 42% | 32% | 23% | 31% | 28% | 34% | 41% |
Base (n) | 1,100 | 538 | 562 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 376 | 384 | 116 | 122 |
- The majority of people think the government should indemnify employers who provide Covid-19 vaccinations to their employees through workplace vaccination programs (68%). This is over twice as many who think that employers should be the ones liable if anything goes wrong through workplace vaccination programs.
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia.
Once a vaccine becomes available to you, how long would you wait before taking it?
02/08 | 19/07 | 05/07 | 07/06 | 10/05 | 26/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 | 18/01 | 14/12 | 10/08 | |
I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible / I’ve already been vaccinated / I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine / I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine | 64% | 63% | 51% | 52% | 44% | 42% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 43% | 56% |
I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 25% | 27% | 33% | 36% | 42% | 42% | 40% | 40% | 47% | 46% | 35% |
I’d never get vaccinated | 11% | 11% | 16% | 13% | 14% | 16% | 12% | 10% | 11% | 10% | 8% |
Base (n) | 1,098 | 1,100 | 1,099 | 1,104 | 1,092 | 1,090 | 1,124 | 1,074 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,008 |
- The vaccine rollout continues to progress, with 64% who have either received a vaccine, or would do so as soon as possible.
- A quarter (25%) now would wait to receive a vaccine (down from 47% in January).
- Consistent with last month, 11% say they would never get vaccinated.

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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