In a world where democracies are increasingly facing challenges like civic disengagement, political polarisation, the spread of disinformation and concerns about the integrity of public institutions, Australia’s commitment to democratic principles is more crucial than ever. Signing the Luxembourg Declaration on Building Trust and Reinforcing Democracy in November 2022 was a significant step for Australia. To deepen our understanding of public sentiment towards democracy, the Australian Public Service Commission launched the Survey of Trust and Satisfaction in Australian Democracy in June 2023, engaging a nationally representative sample of 5,000 Australians, followed by a second wave with 1,000 people in November 2023.

The findings paint a nuanced picture of democracy in Australia. Most Australians highly value and are satisfied with their democratic system. The vast majority say living in a democratic country is important to them, and three in five people indicate they are satisfied with the way democracy works in the country. Yet, this appreciation is coupled with concerns. Nearly half of Australians aren’t confident the country is on the right democratic path and perceive widespread corruption in democratic institutions and processes. Despite these pressures, there is a resilient desire to strengthen our democracy – four in five Australians believe it is worth trying to fix the problems our democracy may have.

Key findings:

• Most Australians value living in a democracy and are satisfied with the way democracy works in the country.
• The vast majority of Australians hold the fundamental values of democracy in high regard.
• There is a high degree of variation in trust levels towards public institutions.
• Australians who report greater confidence in their civic knowledge are more likely to have high levels of satisfaction with how democracy is working.