The Real Concerns Report 2025

• Australians’ concern level ahead of the election has risen to an index score of 61.9
• Financial issues, including cost of living and economic uncertainty, remain the top concern for over half (52%)
• Almost all Australians (91%) are concerned about the rising cost of living, including general expenses and utilities, while 84 per cent worry about instability in the global economy
• Rising cost of living concerns are felt more strongly by women (94%) compared to men (89%)

Feeling the pressure this election year? You’re not alone. New research reveals rising concern among Aussies as the 2025 federal election approaches – from growing scepticism around political news and social media to the rise of AI-generated misinformation.

The latest Real Concerns Report 2025 shows a clear increase in national anxiety compared to previous election years. These concerns stem from a mix of economic instability, global uncertainty, and shifting trust in leadership – all of which are shaping how Australians feel about the future.

The third instalment of the Real Concerns Report examines how Aussies rate their concerns across key areas – including finances, health, climate change, technology, work, and government – producing an average concern score out of 100. According to the findings, Australians’ election-related concern level has climbed to an index score of 61.9, up from 59.7 in 2022 and 44.5 in 2019.

Greatest overall concerns for Australians in 2025

• Financial concerns (e.g. cost of living, economic stability, financial security) – 52%
• Health concerns (e.g. cost of staying healthy, safety) – 13%
• State of the nation (e.g. political stability, transparency, international relations) – 13%
• Climate change and environment (e.g. environmental legacy, local impact) – 11%
• Work and education (e.g. job security, work–life balance, stress) – 7%

Financial anxieties: The elephant in the room

The rising index score – up 17 points since 2019 – reflects growing unease about the future. And front and centre? Financial stress. Nearly all Aussies (91%) are worried about the rising cost of living, from groceries to electricity, while 84% are concerned about instability in the global economy.

Women (94%) are more likely than men (89%) to report at least reasonable concern. Younger generations – especially Gen Y – and parents with children at home also report heightened worry.

• Emergency expenses: 76% fear they wouldn’t have enough to cover unexpected costs
• Housing affordability: 77% say it’s a concern, rising to 86% among Gen Y
• Retirement planning: 78% are concerned about having enough put away for the future

Beyond the bottom line: Health, environment and the future of work

It’s not just about everyday bills. Even the cost of staying healthy is starting to bite. Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) Aussies say the rising cost of living healthier is a concern – particularly women (91%) and those in regional, rural, and remote areas (39% report very strong concern).

Access to healthcare is also front of mind, with 85% of Aussies concerned about the availability of sufficient infrastructure, including hospitals and aged care.

• 91% of women say they’re concerned – compared to 79% of men
• 39% of Baby Boomers and older express very strong concern
• 33% of regional Aussies share the same strong concern

Meanwhile, the mental health crisis worries 83% of respondents – again, more so among women.

Aussies are also concerned about their surroundings:

• Local wildlife extinction: 83% are worried
• Environmental legacy for future generations: 79%
• Degrading environment impacting quality of life: 78%

Navigating a world of uncertainty: Global instability and political transparency

Beyond financial pressures, many Aussies are increasingly uneasy about the broader state of the world. Global conflict, political instability, and a perceived lack of transparency in leadership are fuelling a deeper sense of uncertainty ahead of the election.

• 88% of Aussies are concerned about international relations and global instability
• 85% worry about government transparency and integrity
• 84% are concerned about ineffective leadership within political parties

These concerns reflect more than just frustration – they signal a growing anxiety about where the country is headed and who is steering the ship.

The rise of misinformation: Can we trust what we see?

This year’s federal election is taking place in an information landscape that looks vastly different from even just a few years ago. Misinformation, deepfakes, and AI-generated content are no longer fringe concerns – they’re front and centre in shaping how Aussies consume news and form opinions.

Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) Aussies are concerned that deepfakes and AI-altered images make it harder to distinguish fact from fiction. A similar proportion (86%) are worried about the rapid spread of misinformation online. As trust in traditional and digital news sources declines, 68% say it’s now harder to trust news and information compared to two years ago, and 66% feel more sceptical of political news than in past election years.

In response, nearly 4 in 5 (77%) say they are now fact-checking political news at least sometimes. Their approach is increasingly intentional, drawing on a range of methods:

• Checking multiple news sources (59%)
• Assessing the credibility of outlets (40%)
• Reviewing official sources like government statements or reports (38%)
• Discussing political news with friends, family or colleagues (38%)

The shift isn’t just limited to how Aussies verify information – it’s also changing how they interact with digital platforms. A growing number are consciously avoiding content designed to mislead or inflame.

To avoid misinformation, many have adjusted their online habits by:

• Avoiding clickbait or sensationalist headlines (41%)
• Relying on trusted news sources (36%)
• Reading beyond the headline before forming opinions (35%)
• Blocking or unfollowing unreliable sources (33%)

While misinformation remains a major concern, these figures show that Aussies are actively rising to meet the challenge – taking steps to stay informed, protect themselves, and make more confident decisions.

To help Aussies navigate today’s complex information landscape, Dr Marian-Andrei Rizoiu, Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, shares his top tips for spotting misinformation and staying informed:

• Diversify your news sources beyond social media bubbles – Our research shows that relying solely on social media for news severely narrows your perspective. Within these echo chambers, certain details are consistently filtered out, and the tone tends to be more negative, creating a distorted view of reality. Solution: Visit your preferred news outlet's main page directly. According to our findings, most traditional news sources provide reasonably balanced coverage regardless of their political leaning.
• Apply the "too good to be true" test – We've all received messages from friends or family sharing surprising "facts" or novel connections that seem plausible but unusual. These claims often have hallmarks of misinformation: they explain complex events simply, reference obscure documents, or align perfectly with existing beliefs. Solution: Take a moment to verify before sharing. A quick web search will often reveal whether a claim is legitimate. Scanning search results can quickly identify if something is widely recognised or disputed. You can also use AI assistants to compile information but always apply your own critical judgment.
• Combat information overload strategically – Modern misinformation doesn't need to be believable – its power lies in volume. Research shows that the sheer amount of misleading content overwhelms our capacity to fact-check everything, and repeated exposure increases acceptance. Solution: Limit your exposure to information firehoses. Instead of continuous scrolling through algorithmically curated feeds, establish boundaries such as dedicated time limits for social media or using news aggregators that provide curated highlights rather than endless streams.