This report examines Australians' trust in their public institutions and explores ways to strengthen that trust. Trust in public institutions has become increasingly critical for effective democratic governance, especially when tackling challenges such as digital transformation and climate change. 

Through comprehensive analysis of trust levels and drivers across institutions, this report provides key insights for both policymakers and citizens, while benchmarking Australia's performance against other OECD countries. It highlights institutional strengths and areas of improvement, supporting Australia's efforts to strengthen democratic governance and ensure responsive and effective public institutions that benefit all Australians.

Key findings

• Australia ranks mid-range among OECD countries, with trust levels in government remaining relatively stable compared to other nations.
• While trust peaked in the mid-2000s and declined afterwards, it levelled out around 2020.
• While Australia's multicultural heritage strengthens its democratic resilience, it grapples with economic disparities and the lingering effects of colonialism.
• In the 2010s, the public sector underwent changes, which affected its capacity and public perception, and growing tensions between political responsiveness and institutional independence.
• The COVID-19 pandemic later tested Australia's federal system, though it also showcased effective crisis management capabilities.
• Despite an overall increase in trust in the Australian federal government across all population groups between 2021 and 2023, significant disparities persist and have even widened in some cases.
• Trust levels are consistently lower among several socio-economic and demographic groups.