In 2026, 73% said Australia’s culturally diverse population has been positive for Australia.

Support for cultural diversity has softened among the Australian public. In 2024, the last time the Lowy Institute polled on this topic, nine in ten Australians (90%) said they saw cultural diversity as either ‘entirely positive’ or ‘mostly positive’. In this year’s Poll, only three-quarters (73%) feel the same way. The number of Australians who say cultural diversity is ‘mostly negative’ increased from 9% in 2024 to 20% in 2026. Those who judge cultural diversity to be ‘entirely negative’ increased from 1% in 2024 to 6% in 2026.