World · East Asia & Pacific · 10 hrs ago
Australian survey finds rising immigration concerns and steady social cohesion
The Scanlon Foundation and Australian National University surveyed more than 10,000 Australians about social cohesion and their views of the country.
In 2026, 59% said immigration was too high, up from 33% in 2023, while support for multiculturalism fell to 76% but remained a majority view.
The national social cohesion score stayed at 78 out of 100, even though 62% said cohesion had declined in recent years.
Cost of living was the top concern, named by 36% of respondents, and many were worried about a global economic downturn.
The survey found One Nation supporters reported greater financial stress and distrust in government, alongside weaker local connections and greater pessimism.
Negative views of Muslims rose to 43%, and negative views of Jewish people rose to 18%, both higher than in 2022.
The researchers said these trends raise concerns for social cohesion and for Muslim and Jewish Australians’ safety and sense of belonging.
Australia’s social cohesion index remained at 78 out of 100, even as economic strain and distrust increased.
The Scanlon Foundation’s latest report found that cost of living was the most-cited issue facing the country, named by 36% of respondents.
More Australians said immigration levels were too high, while support for multiculturalism declined but remained the view of a majority.
The report also found worsening negative attitudes towards Muslim and Jewish people.
More than 10,000 people took part in the survey, conducted by the Scanlon Foundation with the Australian National University.
- Who
- The Scanlon Foundation and the Australian National University surveyed more than 10,000 Australians.
- What
- The latest Scanlon report found social cohesion had held steady overall, alongside greater economic strain and shifts in attitudes.
- When
- The report was published on November 4, 2026, in the Guardian; the SMH gives November 5 as its publication date.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- The survey examined Australian social cohesion and attitudes amid worsening economic conditions and other recent events.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Scanlon Foundation began tracking Australian attitudes and social cohesion.
The share of Australians with negative attitudes towards Muslims was 29%, according to the report.
The Hamas attacks preceded a rise in negative attitudes towards Muslims, the report said.
The share saying immigration was too high was 33%, and support for multiculturalism was 89%.
The latest survey found the social cohesion index at 78 out of 100, with 59% saying immigration was too high and 76% agreeing multiculturalism was good for Australia.
- Social cohesion index
- 78 out of 100
- Survey size
- More than 10,000 Australians
- Top issue
- Cost of living, cited by 36%
- Immigration too high
- 59% in 2026, up from 52% in 2025 and 33% in 2023
- Multiculturalism good for Australia
- 76% in 2026, down from 83% in 2025 and 89% in 2023
- Negative attitudes towards Muslims
- 43% in 2026, up from 29% in 2022
3 sources
What people are saying
People are clearly under pressure with economic pressures, there’s discontent and distrust, people are blaming immigration … but we don’t necessarily see a permanence to that
Much of the recent deterioration has been driven by One Nation supporters.
Both patterns are of concern for social cohesion, and mostly importantly, for the safety and sense of belonging for Muslim and Jewish Australians.