Two in three Australians worried about ‘national security’ and perceptions of underpreparedness widespread: new national study
Source: https://nsc.anu.edu.au/ Parent: https://www.anu.edu.au/future-security
Australians are increasingly concerned about the country’s security environment, and most feel the nation is underprepared for the threats it faces, according to new research by NSC.
The research showcases Australian attitudes to national security, risk and resilience, generated from nationally representative surveys, deliberate focus groups, consultations and written submissions.
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\ The National Security College is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government and The Australian National University.
Off
[InkLab
22 March 2026
No worries? Australian attitudes to national security, risk and resilience
This landmark report by NSC draws on nationally representative surveys involving more than 20,000 Australians to refelect a whole-of-nation threat perception.
- Community consultations
- Climate Change
- Defence
- Military
- Conflict
- AI
- Disinformation & Media Manipulation
- Economic crisis
- social cohesion](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/research/no-worries-australian-attitudes-national-security-risk-and-resilience)
[NSC/InkLab
22 March 2026
Voices from across Australia: Community Consultations Engagement Report
Drawing on in-person consultations across the country and 100 written submissions, this report captures how Australians understand national security in their own words.
- Community consultations
- Climate Change
- Defence
- Military
- Conflict
- AI
- Disinformation & Media Manipulation
- Economic crisis
- social cohesion](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/research/voices-across-australia-community-consultations-engagement-report)
[Image by Caseyjadew, Adobe Stock
22 March 2026
First Nations’ perspectives on national security
This report by Pascale Taplin summarises discussions with several First Nations people of northern Australia, including the Torres Strait, about their attitudes towards national security.
- Community consultations
- First Nations
- Indigenous Peoples
- Torres Strait
- National security](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/research/first-nations-perspectives-national-security)
[###
Academic study
Educating the next generation of national security professionals.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/academic-study-nsc)
[###
Executive and professional development
Expanding the capabilities of Australia's national security workforce.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/executive-and-professional-development)
[###
Policy and engagement
Developing ideas and networks for better public policy outcomes.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/policy-engagement-nsc)
## Upcoming programs and events
On
Svitlana, Adobe stock
Thu, 26 Feb - Tue, 30 Jun 2026
[### Evidence for educators: professional development program for teachers
This program of 1-hour sessions will provide secondary teachers with expert insights on critical strategic issues, fostering informed classroom discussions and supporting professional development.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/event/course/evidence-educators-professional-development-program-teachers)
Image: Amtec Photos on Flickr
Mon, 16 Mar - Fri, 27 Mar 2026
[### Succeeding on the frontline: executive development for middle managers (EL1 and equivalent)
Middle managers are on the frontline of policymaking and are often called upon to navigate the complexities of national security policy – a growing challenge in an accelerating world of change.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/event/course/succeeding-frontline-executive-development-middle-managers-el1-and-equivalent)
NASA
Mon, 13 Apr - Tue, 14 Apr 2026
[### Deep impact: space and Australia’s national interests
This program critically analyses the implications of military, commercial and security activities in space and the challenges to global space governance.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/event/course/deep-impact-space-and-australias-national-interests)
Adobe Stock
Tue, 14 Apr - Wed, 15 Apr 2026
[### Blue Pacific: neighbours under threat
This program introduces participants to the Blue Pacific and provides expert commentary on the historical relationships between Australia and its Pacific neighbours.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/event/course/blue-pacific-neighbours-under-threat)
## Latest analysis and insight
On
Voices from across Australia: Community Consultations Engagement Report
Drawing on in-person consultations across the country and 100 written submissions, this report captures how Australians understand national security in their own words.
No worries? Australian attitudes to national security, risk and resilience
This landmark report by NSC draws on nationally representative surveys involving more than 20,000 Australians to refelect a whole-of-nation threat perception.
First Nations’ perspectives on national security
This report by Pascale Taplin summarises discussions with several First Nations people of northern Australia, including the Torres Strait, about their attitudes towards national security.
Beyond the checkpoint: managing Australia’s border as a strategic economic and national security asset
In this Occasional Paper, Mike Outram argues that Australia must reconceptualise its border as a strategic asset and modernise its governance, systems and partnerships to manage risk and resilience.
Can we make good decisions today, if we’re not thinking about tomorrow?
On
[Adobe stock
13 February 2026
Security industry has key frontline public safety role
Anthony Bergin | The Australian](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/opinion/security-industry-has-key-frontline-public-safety-role)
[Wikimedia Commons
04 February 2026
This is the PM’s chance to reset relations with Israel – will he take it?
Anthony Bergin | The Australian](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/this-is-the-pms-chance-to-reset-relations-with-israel-will-he-take-it/news-story/da0145a6dac5fd8e6e1efa3db2934302)
[Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
01 February 2026
Lonely reign after Xi Jinping’s military purge leaves him with just one ally
Rowan Callick | The Australian](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/opinion/lonely-reign-after-xi-jinpings-military-purge-leaves-him-just-one-ally)
[Bio Brawl, SubStack
23 January 2026
The failing economics of biosecurity
Rhett Marchant and Dirk van der Kley | Bio Brawl](https://dirkvanderkley.substack.com/p/the-failing-economics-of-preventing)
## The National Security Podcast
On
The National Security Podcast
18 March 2026
What is driving the war in Iran – and what comes next?
In this episode, Beth Sanner and Dr Rodger Shanahan join Justin Burke to discuss the drivers of the Iran war, and examine the broader implications for regional and global security.
05 March 2026
Plotting a through line: February 2026 Geopolitics Update
In this episode, Justin Burke speaks with Euan Graham and Gorana Grgić to discuss the through lines on the surprising geopolitical events that ushered in 2026, imagining a world without the US at its center.
The National Security Podcast
19 February 2026
Modernising Australia's border security
In this episode, Mike Outram joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss the need for Australia to reconceptualise its borders as strategic assets, the threats posed by transnational crime, and the economic benefits of modern border management.
The National Security Podcast
05 February 2026
Why organised crime is now a national security threat
In this episode, Heather Cook joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the evolving landscape of transnational crime and its implications for national security in Australia.
Our network comprises of a combination of multidisciplinary academic experts, experienced professionals and policy leaders with extensive practical experience.
[### Leadership
Rory Medcalf at Securing our Future conference. Image: NSC](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/nsc-experts#section-29671)
[### Staff
Lorraine Morgan at Securing our Future](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/nsc-experts#section-29668)
[### Affiliated experts
Ian Kemish at 'Securing our Future'. Image: NSC](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/nsc-experts#section-30417)
On
[NSC
Community Consultations
NSC's Community Consultation findings offers a whole-of-nation vision of Australian attitudes to national security, risk and resilience.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/cc)
[Image: Adobe Stock
Genes and geopolitics
An ANU research cluster is exploring economic, geopolitical and security implications that stem from genetic engineering.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/genes-and-geopolitics)
[### Women in National Security
WiNS is a signature activity of the National Security College, focused on improving gender equality and representation across national security.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/women-national-security)
[Securing our Future globe
'Securing our Future' 2024
This was a security conference for the nation, presented by the ANU National Security College in April 2024, with more than 400 participants and 100 speakers.](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/securing-our-future)