A significant shift in Australian public opinion in favour of celebrating Australia Day on 26 January is recorded in a new poll by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), reflecting growing fatigue among citizens over the prolonged debate surrounding the national day’s date.
According to the 2026 survey, 76 per cent of Australians support celebrating Australia Day on 26 January, marking a clear increase from 69 per cent in 2025 and 63 per cent in 2024. At the same time, only one in ten Australians actively oppose the date, down from 14 per cent last year and 17 per cent two years ago.
The findings challenge the widespread perception that younger Australians are strongly opposed to 26 January. On the contrary, Australians aged 18–24 now support retaining the date at higher levels than the general population, both in terms of the national day itself and broader measures of national pride.
Notably, 89 per cent of those aged 18–24 say they are proud to be Australian, a figure significantly higher than among middle-aged Australians. Similarly, 83 per cent of young respondents believe Australia has a history to be proud of, compared with just 62 per cent among those aged 35–44.
Daniel Wild, Deputy Executive Director of the IPA, said the results highlight a desire for unity and stability within Australian society. “Australians are tired of toxic debates from the past that were designed to divide us,” he said. “Australia Day remains a moment that can bring the nation together.”
Wild also pointed to the broader social context, arguing that following the recent attacks in Bondi, the need for shared national symbols and cohesion has become even more important. “26 January can and should be a day of healing for a deeply wounded nation,” he said.
The human dimension of the debate was reflected in the views of Nadia Muller, who migrated from South Africa and has lived in Turramurra for the past six years with her husband Johan and their three children. For the Muller family, Australia Day represents gratitude and belonging.
“We love this country and we love the holiday,” she said, explaining that the family plans to spend the long weekend camping outdoors. She described Australia as a place that has offered safety, peace and a strong sense of community — something her family did not experience previously. With a smile, she added that her children have fully embraced the Australian lifestyle, including beetroot on their hamburgers.
Muller said she struggles to understand objections to the national day. “I don’t understand what the complaint is about such a great day,” she said. “For us, it’s about gratitude and celebrating our new life here.”
Overall, the IPA poll suggests that despite years of political and cultural controversy, a growing majority of Australians want to move beyond division and reaffirm Australia Day as a celebration of shared identity and national unity.
