In July 2021, amid limited vaccine eligibility and supply, seven in ten (73%) of Australians claim to be at least partially vaccinated (28%) or planning to have a vaccine when it becomes available to them (45%, including 32% who definitely plan to). This suggests public sentiment is on track to meet the 70% vaccination rate set by national cabinet for leaving lockdowns largely behind but falls short of the 80% vaccination rate required for relaxing border restrictions and other measures.
True Issues is a research tool to assist Australian businesses to understand where their issues truly sit within the contemporary issues landscape. This poll was conducted as an online survey between 15th – 19th July among a representative national sample of 1,000 Australians aged 18+ years.
The balance of opinion is evenly split among those still undecided (4%) or needing more information (10%) and those who do not plan to have a vaccine (14%, including 8% who definitely do not plan to).
Positively, while Australians’ willingness to be vaccinated remains highest among older age groups, it is now at a strong majority across all age cohorts.
There are mixed views, however, about offering incentives to encourage vaccination: 47% agree (a higher 54% in NSW), 27% disagree and 23% are neutral.
A majority (55%) of Australians agree those who are fully vaccinated should have more freedom from restrictions than those who are not. Travel-related privileges are most favoured for people who are fully vaccinated, such as home quarantine after overseas trips (32%, a higher 44% in WA), regional or interstate travel when borders are closed (27%) or overseas travel to any country for any reason (25%). Around one in four adults (26%) also believe vaccinated people should be allowed to attend indoor activities and entertainment such as gyms, theatres, concerts, restaurants or bars during staged restrictions.
There is also limited support for other potential privileges during staged restrictions, such as undertaking non-essential activities (23%), attending major public events such as football matches or concerts (21%), going mask-free (18%) and not having to follow curfews or restrictions on gatherings (20%) or self-isolate after contact with a COVID-19 case (19%).
This was an excerpt from our latest True Issues report, to read the full report, click the link below.
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