Essential Report
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%).
Resignation of Berejiklian and need for ICAC
Q. Thinking about Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier, which 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 | ||
Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me more supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 47% | 54% | 40% | 46% | 44% | 50% | 59% | 41% | 56% | 46% |
Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me less supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 21% | 21% | 21% | 25% | 21% | 18% | 16% | 31% | 14% | 26% |
Unsure | 32% | 25% | 39% | 29% | 35% | 32% | 25% | 28% | 30% | 28% |
Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- Overall, the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian has strengthened the support for a federal ICAC. 47% say they are now more supportive, with 21% less supportive and 32% unsure.
Total | State | ||
NSW | All other states | ||
Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me more supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 47% | 48% | 45% |
Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me less supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 21% | 29% | 16% |
Unsure | 32% | 23% | 38% |
Base (n) | 1,097 | 352 | 691 |
- While greater support for a federal ICAC due to Berejiklian’s resignation is consistent between NSW and other states (48% to 45%), opposition is higher in NSW (29% to 16%).

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
Sign up for updates
Receive the Essential Report in your inbox.Essential Tags
2PP
Abbott
ALP
Anthony Albanese
Approval of opposition leader
Approval of Tony Abbott
asylum seekers
Australian economy
Bill Shorten
Carbon Tax
climate change
coronavirus
covid-19
economy
Education
Election
EMC
environment
ER
Essential Media
Essential Report
Federal Budget
Federal Government
federal politics
Gillard
Greens
Julia Gillard
kevin rudd
Labor
Labor Party
Liberal
Liberal Party
Liberals
mining
Nationals
Opposition leader
peter lewis
Polling
polls
Prime Minister
Scott Morrison
tony abbott
two party preferred
voting
Voting intention
Recent Comments
