For more than two decades, the annual poll has revealed how Australians feel about the world and their place in it. The 2026 Poll reports the results of a nationally representative survey on: global powers and world leaders; relations in the Indo-Pacific; safety and threats; defence and security; economic security; climate change and societal issues.

Australia is experiencing a housing crisis. A 2025 survey was designed to document the lived experience of people affected by the crisis. This report presents the findings of the survey and the themes that emerge from respondents’ experiences. It shows how housing insecurity intersects with income inadequacy, energy hardship and declining housing quality.

People are in poverty when they lack the resources necessary to live within socially acceptable living standards. This report identifies 23 essential items considered universally as things nobody should have to go without, and measured how many people lack these items because they cannot afford them. The results highlight the impact of economic hardship on...

This report looks at trends in wealth inequality over the past twenty years and finds that: the wealthiest Australians hold 90 times the wealth of those with the least; this has been fuelled by tax breaks for superannuation and housing investments, and high house prices have fuelled inequality and locked many people out of housing...

The Life Chances Study followed 167 infants from two inner-Melbourne suburbs from birth until early 2024. Over the course of the study, researchers have identified multiple and intersecting social policy, infrastructure and service improvements that could make a difference to the life chances of those living with economic insecurity and disadvantage. This report provides a...