Provides a series of detailed surveys on social cohesion, immigration and population issues.

This report presents the findings of the eighth Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion national survey, conducted in June-July 2015. The report builds on the knowledge gained through the seven earlier Scanlon Foundation national surveys (2007, 2009-2014) which provide, for the first time in Australian social research, a series of detailed surveys on social cohesion, immigration and population issues.

Together with Scanlon Foundation local area and sub-group surveys, fifteen surveys with over 25,000 respondents have been conducted since 2007. The project also tracks the findings of other Australian and international surveys on population and social cohesion issues.

Key findings

• The Scanlon-Monash Index of Social Cohesion (SMI) has moved in the strongest positive direction since the Index was established in 2007, although it is still at a relatively low level.
• The Scanlon Foundation survey asks respondents for their view of 'the most important issue facing Australia today'; change has occurred in the ranking of national security and social issues, which are now both second ranked (the economy remains first).
• Concern over immigration remains at the lowest level recorded by the Scanlon Foundation surveys; attitudes towards asylum seekers arriving by boat are also little changed since 2014.
• The high level of support for the proposition that 'multiculturalism has been good for Australia' has been maintained.
• There are significant differences in attitudes of young adults, the middle-aged and older Australians, evident in response to questions on national identity and cultural diversity.
• Significant difference is also evident across Australia’s regions. There is lower support outside capital cities for immigration, resettlement opportunities for asylum seekers and cultural maintenance. Difference in attitude is also evident in comparison of Australia’s major cities.