Essential Report
What people worry about
Q. To what extent are you concerned about the following issues?
I worry about this all the time | I often worry about this | I sometimes worry about this | It’s not something I worry about | |
Health of myself and family | 27% | 35% | 31% | 7% |
My ability to pay for basics | 27% | 29% | 25% | 19% |
Impact of climate change | 21% | 30% | 28% | 21% |
Crime in my community | 19% | 31% | 35% | 16% |
Threat of terrorism | 19% | 26% | 36% | 19% |
My job security | 16% | 22% | 20% | 41% |
- Family health (27%) and affording the basics (27%) are the things worrying Australians most frequently.
- Job security is less of a concern, with 41% saying this is not something they worry about.
I WORRY ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME | Total | Vote Labor | Vote Liberal / National | Vote Greens | NET: Vote Other |
Health of myself and family | 27% | 31% | 19% | 29% | 38% |
My ability to pay for basics | 27% | 29% | 19% | 29% | 37% |
Impact of climate change | 21% | 24% | 14% | 42% | 19% |
Crime in my community | 19% | 18% | 17% | 10% | 29% |
Threat of terrorism | 19% | 18% | 22% | 6% | 26% |
My job security | 16% | 17% | 13% | 17% | 18% |
- 31% of Labor voters say they worry about their, and their family’s health all the time, and 21% say they always worry about being able to pay for the basics.
- Coalition voters say they worry about the threat of terrorism all the time (22%), this is more than any other concern.
I WORRY ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME | Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ |
Health of myself and family | 27% | 24% | 30% | 27% | 29% | 26% |
My ability to pay for basics | 27% | 24% | 29% | 29% | 29% | 22% |
Impact of climate change | 21% | 21% | 21% | 27% | 23% | 14% |
Crime in my community | 19% | 18% | 19% | 15% | 21% | 20% |
Threat of terrorism | 19% | 17% | 20% | 19% | 17% | 19% |
My job security | 16% | 17% | 15% | 22% | 20% | 8% |

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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