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  • Oct, 2021

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    Views towards immigration

    Q. The NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet recently called for an increase in Australia’s immigration levels.

    To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

      TOTAL:

    Agree

    		 TOTAL:

    Disagree

    		 Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither agree nor disagree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree
    Increasing immigration levels would add more pressure on the housing system and infrastructure 63% 11% 31% 32% 25% 8% 4%
    Immigration is vital for Australia’s business and economy 51% 20% 18% 33% 29% 11% 9%
    Increasing immigration levels would equip businesses with the skilled workers they need to reopen as Covid-19 restrictions are eased 50% 22% 16% 33% 28% 13% 9%
    Increasing immigration levels would help to address Australia’s growing skills shortages as the population ages 49% 22% 14% 35% 29% 13% 9%
    Increasing immigration levels would create more competition for jobs and slow wage growth 48% 21% 18% 30% 31% 13% 7%

     

    TOTAL: Agree Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Increasing immigration levels would add more pressure on the housing system and infrastructure 63% 62% 64% 54% 65% 70% 66% 65% 59% 64%
    Immigration is vital for Australia’s business and economy 51% 54% 48% 53% 50% 50% 56% 54% 60% 39%
    Increasing immigration levels would equip businesses with the skilled workers they need to reopen as Covid-19 restrictions are eased 50% 52% 47% 50% 47% 51% 54% 52% 56% 42%
    Increasing immigration levels would help to address Australia’s growing skills shortages as the population ages 49% 51% 46% 48% 46% 52% 53% 51% 57% 39%
    Increasing immigration levels would create more competition for jobs and slow wage growth 48% 51% 45% 50% 50% 46% 51% 48% 45% 51%
    Base (n) 1,781 875 906 533 601 647 636 610 157 220
    • Older cohorts are more likely to agree than younger groups that increasing immigration levels would add more pressure on the housing system and infrastructure. 70% of those over 55 agree with this statement, compared to 65% of those aged 35-54 and 54% of those aged 18-34. Agreement with this statement is consistent across voters.
    • Men are more likely than women to agree that immigration is vital for Australia’s business and economy (54% to 48% respectively).
    • Minor and independent party voters are least likely to agree that immigration is vital for Australia’s business and economy (39%), that increasing immigration levels would equip businesses with the skilled workers they need (42%), and help to address Australia’s growing skills shortages as the population ages (39%).
    TOTAL: Agree People who say the levels of immigration have been

    too low

    		 People who say the levels of immigration have been

    about right

    		 People who say the levels of immigration have been

    too high
    Increasing immigration levels would add more pressure on the housing system and infrastructure 47% 62% 76%
    Immigration is vital for Australia’s business and economy 74% 60% 34%
    Increasing immigration levels would equip businesses with the skilled workers they need to reopen as Covid-19 restrictions are eased 77% 58% 34%
    Increasing immigration levels would help to address Australia’s growing skills shortages as the population ages 75% 56% 34%
    Increasing immigration levels would create more competition for jobs and slow wage growth 47% 48% 53%
    Base (n) 277 645 694
    • Those who think immigration levels have been too high in the past decade are less likely to agree with the benefits and business need for immigration.
    • Those who think immigration levels have been too low are more likely to agree that immigration is vital for business and economy (74% to 60% ‘about right’ and 34% ‘too high’), and that increasing immigration levels would equip businesses with the skilled workers they need (77% to 58% and 34%), and help to address Australia’s growing skills shortages as the population ages (75% to 56% and 34%).
    • Those who think the levels are too high are more likely to think increasing levels would add more pressure on the housing system and infrastructure (76% to 47%).
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