Australia is at a crossroads, facing big national challenges in housing, productivity, trust in politics and the cost of living. Too often, decisions are made without listening to the people who live these realities every day.
AMPLIFY PULSE changes that. We regularly run national polls on the key issues that are top of mind for the nation. Each survey takes the pulse of the country, capturing what people are feeling, fearing and demanding from their leaders.
Together, these snapshots tell an evolving story. Australians are calling for bold reforms, not short-term fixes. They want housing that is affordable, work that is productive and fair, and politics that focuses on solving problems rather than playing games.
By grounding debate in real voices, PULSE ensures the conversation about Australia’s future starts where it should: with the community.
PULSE #3
Findings:
In the lead-up to the Federal Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable in Canberra on 19–21 August, AMPLIFY partnered with YouGov to take the nation’s pulse. Between 1–10 August, a nationally representative survey of 1,501 Australians captured the community's views on productivity reform just days before political leaders gathered.
The findings revealed a striking disconnect between the government’s agenda and the nation's pulse.
Seventy-three per cent had not heard of the roundtable, and six in ten were not confident it would lead to meaningful change.
While two thirds believed productivity reform could create more jobs, most also feared the benefits would flow to employers rather than workers.
Australians identified housing supply as the single most important driver of productivity, placing it ahead of education and training. As Georgina Harrisson, AMPLIFY’s CEO, noted: “Australians are doing it tough — with rising bills, higher housing costs and lower productivity. The government can’t afford to waste this moment on words alone; we need action that delivers real wins in people’s pockets.”
The survey underscores both hope and scepticism. Australians want reform, but they want it grounded in their lived experience and capable of delivering tangible outcomes for households.
Methodology:
- Conducted by YouGov on behalf of AMPLIFY
- Data collection period: 1–10 August 2025
- Sample size: 1,501 Australians, nationally representative by age, gender and location
- Mode: Online survey, recruited from research panel (100%)
- Australian Polling Council compliant
- Full methodology statement (YouGov)
PULSE #2
Findings:
In late May 2025, just weeks before national housing targets and supply challenges dominated winter headlines, AMPLIFY partnered with YouGov to capture community sentiment on housing policy. The survey, completed by 1,511 Australians between 23–30 May, revealed housing as a defining priority for the nation.
One in four Australians (24%) ranked housing as the number one policy area where they want the Federal Government to take bold action.
Affordability was identified as the biggest challenge in local communities, cited by 61% of respondents.
Australians also pointed clearly to solutions. Seventy per cent supported expanding the use of prefab housing, and 57% backed changes to planning rules to allow more homes near public transport and urban centres.
As AMPLIFY CEO Georgina Harrisson said: “It’s unsurprising to see Aussies want bigger and bolder action on housing. There’s been a lack of ambition in national housing for the past three decades, which has led to the housing crisis we’re facing today.”
She emphasised the scale of the task ahead: “The Federal Government has a target to build 1.2 million new homes by 2029, but they won’t meet this target without serious and meaningful changes to building and planning regulations. Prefab housing and a shake-up of planning rules are two ways we can get more homes built more quickly.”
The findings show Australians are ready for ambitious reforms, not incremental measures. They want housing policy to match the urgency of the crisis and deliver solutions that will last for generations.
Methodology:
- Conducted by YouGov on behalf of AMPLIFY
- Data collection period: 23–30 May 2025
- Sample size: 1,511 Australians, nationally representative by age, gender and location
- Mode: Online survey, recruited from research panel (100%)
- Australian Polling Council compliant
- Full methodology statement (YouGov)
PULSE #1
Findings:
In the lead-up to the April 2025 Federal Election, AMPLIFY partnered with YouGov to capture how Australians were feeling about politics, policy, and trust in leadership. The nationally representative survey of 1,505 Australians, conducted 4–9 April, found a public that is engaged but deeply sceptical.
While half of Australians (50%) consider the election day democracy sausage an official part of our democratic tradition, and 42% prefer tomato sauce on top, the humour stopped there. Only 5% of Australians believe politicians are focused on solving the country’s challenges, while 72% believe they are primarily focused on winning votes.
The survey also reflected the weight of financial pressures: just 19% of people reported being better off than a year ago, while almost half (47%) said they were worse off. Housing stood out as a serious election issue, with 56% paying close attention to party announcements on affordability and supply.
As AMPLIFY CEO Georgina Harrisson explained: “We wanted to approach this election with a bit of humour and tradition, but underneath that is a real seriousness about the issues affecting everyday Australians. People are worried about their finances and deeply sceptical about whether politicians are focused on solving real problems.”
She underscored how the community is already showing a path forward: “Earlier this year, we hosted the first ever National AMPLIFICATION on Housing, where everyday people — renters, teachers, tradies, retirees — listened, debated and reached a clear conclusion: we need to build more homes and we need to think bigger.”
The findings make clear that Australians want more than election slogans. They are ready for ambitious reforms that match the scale of today’s challenges, particularly in housing, and will not settle for short-term fixes.
Methodology:
- Conducted by YouGov on behalf of AMPLIFY
- Data collection period: 4–9 April 2025
- Sample size: 1,505 Australians, nationally representative by age, gender and location
- Mode: Online survey, recruited from research panel (100%)
- Australian Polling Council compliant
- Full methodology statement (YouGov)