Trust in Australian politicians falls to 30.5%, lowest in a year
Trust in federal politicians dropped from 35.9 per cent to 30.5 per cent in one year, the 2026 McKinnon Index reveals.
Trust in Australia's political leaders has plunged to its lowest level, with fewer than half of voters feeling they have a real say in government. The 2026 McKinnon Index found trust in federal politicians fell from 35.9 per cent to just 30.5 per cent in a single year, while trust in state and territory politicians dropped six percentage points to 32.7 per cent.
Almost three-quarters of Australians now believe the country has become more divided over the past year. A striking divide has emerged between university graduates and those who finished school at high school level.
Just 39.7 per cent of high school educated Australians are satisfied with democracy, compared with 59 per cent of graduates. Graduates also show much stronger confidence in elections, with almost three-quarters trusting outcomes, compared with fewer than half of Australians with a high school education or below.
- 30.5% (down from 35.9%)
- Federal politicians trust
- 32.7%
- State and territory politicians
- 39.7%
- High school graduates satisfied
- 59%
- University graduates satisfied
Why it mattersDeclining faith in politicians threatens social cohesion and democratic engagement, while educational attainment now determines political confidence more than income.
AustraliaPolitical divisions are deepening across Australia, with young people more willing to abandon friendships over different views and some expressing openness to extreme measures.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
