Refugee policy

Charts from previous years

• Better party by foreign policy issue

  In 2025, 46% of Australians said the Labor Party would do a better job than the Coalition at when asked about promoting and defending human rights internationally.

  Theme Australian government performance | Asked in

  • 2025
  • 2019
  • 2016
  • 2013

  
• Australian prime ministers and foreign policy

  In 2023, 59% of Australians said a reasonable job when asked about Malcolm Turnbull.

  Theme Australian government performance | Asked in

  • 2023
  • 2016

  
• Immigration and national identity

  In 2022, 68% said Australia’s openness to people from all over the world is essential to who we are as a nation.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2022
  • 2018

  
• Coalition government report card

  In 2021, respondents gave an average rating of 7.6 for managing Australia’s response to Covid-19.

  Theme Australian government performance | Asked in

  • 2021
  • 2015

  
• Attitudes to immigration

  In 2019, 71% disagreed Australian cities are already too crowded.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2019
  • 2016

  
• Border protection and Australia’s reputation

  In 2019, 40% said Australia’s border protection policies make no difference its international reputation.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2019

  
• Nauru and Manus Island policy

  In 2017, 48% said they should never be settled in Australia.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2017

  
• Attitudes to Europe

  In 2016, 90% said agree when asked about Australians and Europeans share many common values and ideals and so Europe will always be important to us.

  Theme Global powers and world leaders | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Australia’s humanitarian policy options

  In 2016, 65% said disagree when asked about Australia’s refugee intake should favour Christians and other religions over Muslims.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Important issues facing Australia

  In 2016, 88% of Australians said a very important issue when asked about education.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Asylum seeker policy

  In 2014, 71% of Australians said agree when asked about the government should turn back boats when it is safe to do so.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Australia’s population

  In 2014, 42% of Australians said when asked about 30 million people.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2014
  • 2010

  
• Reasons for reducing immigration

  In 2014, 88% of Australians said major reason when asked about we should train our own skilled people, not take them from other countries.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Attention on the asylum seeker issue

  In 2013, 54% of Australians said too much attention when asked about by media.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2013

  
• Australian responses to Asia’s growth

  In 2013, 60% said very important when asked about do more to assist Australian businesses to succeed in Asian markets.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2013
  • 2012

  
• Unauthorised asylum seekers

  In 2013, 51% of Australians said very concerned.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2013
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009

  
• Views of offshore processing

  In 2013, 34% of Australians said strongly in favour.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2013

  
• Criteria for new migrants

  In 2012, 70% of Australians said not important when asked about their race.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Important criteria for new migrants

  In 2012, 34% said having similar values to Australians.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Reasons for reducing Chinese investment

  In 2012, 96% said agree when asked about China is seeking to buy Australian mining and agricultural companies and these need to be kept in Australian hands.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Skilled worker visas

  In 2012, 37% of Australians said somewhat in favour.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Arguments about unauthorised asylum seekers

  In 2011, 92% said agree when asked about it is dangerous for unauthorised asylum seekers to come to Australia by boat as they might be badly injured or killed during the boat trip.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2011

  
• Goals of Australian foreign policy

  In 2011, 81% said very important when asked about protecting the jobs of Australian workers.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • and 2 more

  
• Indian student attacks

  In 2010, 46% of Australians said damaged a little.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• Performance of the Rudd Government

  In 2010, respondents gave an average rating of 7.2 for maintaining a strong alliance with the United States.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• Australia’s influence under the Rudd Government

  In 2009, 35% of Australians said partly agree.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2009

  
• International reputation after election

  In 2008, 46% of Australians said stayed the same.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Temporary migrant worker schemes

  In 2007, 58% of Australians said agree when asked about temporary migrant worker schemes are good because they help people from poor countries to earn a bit more money.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2007