Australian Trust Hits Decade Low at 5.32, ANU Survey Finds August 2026

Australians trust each other less than at any point this decade, according to a June 2026 ANU survey of 3,500 adults. Interpersonal trust fell to 5.32 on a 0-10 scale, below the pre-COVID level of 5.53 recorded in October 2019. Professor Nicholas Biddle, head of ANU’s School of Politics and International Relations, called the findings worrying. The decline reverses gains made during the pandemic and signals deepening social fracture.

How the survey measured trust

Researchers asked three questions to gauge interpersonal trust. First, whether most people can be trusted or if you must be careful. Second, whether most people would take advantage if given the chance or try to be fair. Third, whether people try to be helpful or mostly look out for themselves. All three measures declined. The sharpest drop was in belief that most people can be trusted.

Who still trusts most in Australia

Trust remains strongest among older Australians, degree holders, and employed workers, Biddle said. Life satisfaction stayed flat at 6.22 out of 10 between March and June 2026. Financial stress also held steady, with 33 per cent finding it difficult or very difficult on their current income in June, down slightly from 34.9 per cent in March.

Trust was higher during COVID-19

The ANU findings reverse a pandemic-era trend that saw interpersonal trust increase during lockdowns. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ General Social Survey from 2025 found only half of Australians felt others could be trusted, compared to 61 per cent in 2020. Political debate about multiculturalism and national identity may be driving the decline, though the survey did not measure those factors directly.

Democracy support remains strong in principle

While Australians are critical of how democracy functions in practice, support for democracy in principle remains strong. Life satisfaction and wellbeing metrics remain stable but at a low base. More Australians were dissatisfied than satisfied with the nation’s direction in 2026, though this remains the lowest dissatisfaction rate since January 2023.

Final Thoughts

The ANU data shows Australians are withdrawing trust from each other at a pace not seen since 2019. For policymakers and business leaders, the implication is clear: social cohesion requires urgent attention. Without intervention, lower trust typically correlates with reduced civic participation and economic cooperation.

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