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Celebrating 11 years of the Scanlon Foundation national survey on social cohesion, immigration and population issues
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Eleven years of research in multiculturalism in Australia
Welcome to the Mapping Social Cohesion 2018 microsite, where we present the findings of the eleventh Scanlon Foundation national survey, conducted in July-August 2018.
These findings build on the knowledge gained through the ten earlier surveys (2007, 2009-2017) which provide, for the first time in Australia, consistent annual tracking of public opinion on social cohesion, immigration and population issues.
In 2018 – in addition to the regular interviewer administered telephone survey – the full questionnaire was also administered on the probability-based Life in Australia™ (LinA) panel. To our knowledge, it is the first major survey on social cohesion that has been conducted simultaneously in interviewer administered and self-administered modes.
This microsite presents highlights of the 2018 survey results in the five chapters presented below. To take a closer look at the survey findings, you can download the full report here.
56 substantive and 21 demographics.
Interviewer administered telephone survey and self-administered via the probability-based Life in Australia™ (LinA) panel.
1,500 respondents, interviewer administered, 2,260 respondents, self-administered.
Enabling a nuanced understanding of shifts in public opinion on immigration issues.
The Scanlon Foundation’s Mapping Social Cohesion surveys have been conducted during a period of sustained population growth and increased cultural and ethnic diversity in Australia, as indicated by the 2006 and 2016 census findings.
Australian population increased from 19.9 million in 2006 to 25 million in August 2018.
make up 28% of the total population – the highest proportion among OECD countries with populations of more than 10 million.
meaning they have one or both parents born overseas.
Members of faith groups other than Christian increased from 1.1 million to 2 million from 2006 to 2016.
Factors influencing population growth
Where the overseas-born population lives
A high proportion of the overseas-born in Australia live in capital cities
83%
of the overseas-born population live in capital cities
61%
of the Australian-born population live in capital cities
67%
of the total population live in capital cities
New migrants
Religious, cultural and language diversity
In 2016-17 new migrant arrivals were predominantly from India, China, United Kingdom and Philippines
Download the 2018 Mapping Social Cohesion Report
DownloadOver the last twelve months, immigration policy has been increasingly contested in politics and the media.
In contrast with many polls based on just one, or a small number of questions, the Scanlon surveys’ consistent and comprehensive questionnaire structure enables a nuanced understanding of shifts in public opinion in relation to immigration issues.
The 2018 report finds Australians continue to recognise the benefits of immigration,
despite concerns over population growth.
In 2018, The Scanlon Foundation survey asked if
Immigration intake
Consistent with other surveys and polls conducted throughout the year, the 2018 Scanlon survey found an increase in those concerned by the level of immigration – up 6 percentage points to 43% since 2017.
But in line with the October Fairfax-Ipsos poll, and contrary to many others, it found that the majority of Australians - 52% - still agree that the immigration intake is either ‘about right’ or ‘too low.’
In 2018, The Scanlon Foundation survey asked
52%
of respondents are of the view that the immigration intake was ‘about right’ or ‘too low’
85%
of respondents agree that multiculturalism has been good for Australia
Eight new immigration questions in this year’s survey provide deeper insight into the perceived value of immigration to the nation, and the potential issues influencing public opinion on immigration numbers.
Beyond a narrow focus on the immigration intake, Australians continue to endorse the view that their country is an immigrant nation, and that immigration benefits the country.
Continuing positive outlook on immigration
In 2018, a majority 82% of Australians agree that ‘immigrants improve Australian society by bringing new ideas and cultures,’ and 80% agree with the proposition that ‘immigrants are generally good for Australia’s economy.’
There remains a consistently high level of endorsement of multiculturalism, with 85% agreeing with the proposition that ‘multiculturalism has been good for Australia.’
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked if
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked if
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked if
For the majority, multiculturalism is understood as a two-way process of change
64%
agree that migrants should change their behaviour to be more like Australians
65%
support the notion that Australians should do more to learn about ethnic customs and cultures of migrants
Concerns over population growth
While findings suggest a majority of Australians recognise the value of immigration to the nation, close to five in ten Australians are worried about the impact of immigration on overcrowding cities; housing prices; and government failure to manage population growth.
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
Difference across demographics
Segmenting data on attitudes to immigration by age and education level reveals both stark contrasts, and similarities.
For example, among 18-29 year-olds with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, there is no disagreement with the view that a diverse immigration intake benefits Australia, compared to disagreement from 48% of those aged 65 or above whose highest qualifications are at the trade or apprenticeship level.
The former are also significantly less likely to agree that immigrants increase crime rates (7% compared to 51%), or that the current immigration intake is too high (7% compared to 62%).
Both cohorts, however, hold similar and significant levels of concern about the impact of immigration on house prices, and the environment.
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
Segmenting data on attitudes to immigration by age and education level reveals both stark contrasts, and similarities
Since the abolition of the White Australia policy in 1973, fringe political groups have continued to call for the re-introduction of immigration restriction
Support for discrimination on the basis of religion is slightly higher at 18-29% across different survey modes, but is still a minority view
Support for rejecting the entry of certain migrant groups on the basis of ‘race and ethnicity’ remains a minority view in 2018, in the range of 15-21% across different survey modes
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked if
Within a range of sub-groups considered, majority support for immigration restriction is only found among One Nation supporters.
Download the 2018 Mapping Social Cohesion Report
DownloadThe Scanlon Foundation survey seeks to determine the issues that are of greatest concern in the community.
Since 2010, the first question in the survey has been open-ended. It asks:
‘What do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?
In the nine surveys between 2010 and 2018, respondents have consistently given first rank to issues related to the economy, unemployment and poverty.
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
Terrorism and national security mentioned by 7-10% of people between 2015 – 2017, had dropped to just 1% in July-August 2018 when the surveys were conducted, though recent incidents and arrests in Melbourne may have since influenced their ranking.
Concern over immigration and population does not rank in the top three problems in 2018 (mentioned by 7% of respondents in 2018)
Indigenous issues, and women’s or gender equality issues are both mentioned by just 0.3% of respondents
Download the 2018 Mapping Social Cohesion Report
DownloadThe Scanlon Foundation’s surveys provide the only annual tracking of attitudes to the functioning of the Australian government since 2007.
Since 2010 the survey has recorded a large measure of consistency, albeit at a low level of confidence in the political system.
The 2018 survey was conducted from 9 July to 11 August, a period of heightened political instability
But in contrast with negative commentary in sections of the media on the Turnbull government during this period, the 2018 Scanlon Foundation survey did not register a low point in government fortunes.
Trust in government to ‘do the right thing for the Australian people’ ‘almost always’ or ‘most of the time’ was at a low level (30%) in 2018, but there had been no significant change in this level over the previous four years.
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
System of government
When respondents were asked if ‘the system of government we have in Australia works fine as it is, needs minor change, needs major change, or should be replaced’, 37% in the interviewer administered survey indicated that the system ‘needs major change’ or ‘should be replaced’.
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
28%
think the system of government needs major change, an increase from 23% in 2014
14-16%
think the system of government works fine as it is
10-11%
think the system of government should be replaced
Change in attitudes following the Liberal leadership spill
In the July-August round of surveying, 43% of Life in Australia panellists indicated that the system ‘needs major change’ or ‘should be replaced’ (slightly higher than the 37% indicated by respondents in the interviewer administered survey during the same period).
Following the vote by the parliamentary Liberal Party which defeated Prime Minister Turnbull on 23 August, the September 2018 wave of the Life in Australia panel tested change in public opinion in relation to system of government.
The September survey found that the proportion of the view that the system ‘needs major change’ or ‘should be replaced’ went up by five percentage points to 48% following the Liberal leadership spill – close to half the sample.
When a range of sub groups are considered, those most likely to agree that the system of government ‘needs major change’ or ‘should be replaced’ are those who intended to vote for One Nation, those ‘struggling to pay bills,’ and those whose highest completed education was at the ‘Trade or Apprenticeship’ level.
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
Download the 2018 Mapping Social Cohesion Report
DownloadFollowing a decade of surveying, the 2017 Scanlon Foundation survey identified some negative trends which had the potential to undermine Australia’s future social cohesion.
But the 2018 survey does not provide additional negative evidence, rather, findings indicate stability across key indicators of social cohesion.
90%
feel a ‘great’ or ‘moderate’ sense of belonging in Australia
85%
indicate they are happy with life in Australia
74%
agree that Australia is a land of economic opportunity where in the long run, hard work brings a better life
72%
indicate satisfaction with their financial situation
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
In relation to social cohesion at the neighbourhood level, a majority 81% in 2018 agree that people in their local area ‘are willing to help their neighbours;’ and 74% agree that their local area ‘is a place where people from different national or ethnic groups get on well together.’
Steady concerns
In line with 2017 findings, the 2018 national survey found concern over becoming a victim of crime was indicated by a minority of respondents at 33%.
But in Victoria, where there have been a number of violent incidents and attention in sections of the media to alleged out-of-control ‘Sudanese youth gangs’, concern about crime was at 41%, ten percentage points higher that in New South Wales and twelve percentage points higher than in Queensland.
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
While reported experience of discrimination ‘because of skin colour, ethnic origin or religion’ remains relatively high at 19% in 2018, it has not increased since 2016.
In 2018, the Scanlon Foundation survey asked
Looking ahead
When thinking about the future, the number of Australians who expected that their lives would be ‘the same’ or ‘improved’ in three or four years grew from 77% in 2017, to 83% in 2018.
Given the magnitude of change which has tested Australia’s social cohesion since 2007 – the Global Financial Crisis, declining manufacturing industry, heightened cost of living, sustained population growth, increasing cultural and ethnic diversity, political instability with six Prime Ministers in ten years – Australians remain overwhelmingly supportive of the multicultural character of their nation and of the value of immigration.
Some two-thirds of respondents affirm that Australians should learn from the cultures of new arrivals, but equally that new arrivals should embrace Australian values.
Over the course of a period of dramatic change, the Scanlon Foundation research has found that a large majority of Australians have demonstrated a remarkable resilience and optimism about the future.
Download the 2018 Mapping Social Cohesion Report
Download