Metadata
Title
Two in three Australians worried about ‘national security’ and perceptions of underpreparedness widespread: new national study
Category
general
UUID
3fb469b31b714642aa1c1673f3738870
Source URL
https://nsc.anu.edu.au/
Parent URL
https://www.anu.edu.au/future-security
Crawl Time
2026-03-23T09:42:53+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown 
# 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.

[Read more](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/news/two-three-australians-worried-about-national-security-and-perceptions-underpreparedness)

[Explore the reports](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/cc#:~:text=and%20communities%20alike.-,EXPLORE%20THE%20REPORTS,-No%20worries%3F)

### [What we offer](#section-418)

### [Upcoming programs and events](#section-12452)

### [Publications](#section-12472)

### [NSC Futures Hub](#section-12458)

### [In the news](#section-29505)

### [Podcast](#section-30125)

### [Our community](#section-12465)

### [Initiatives](#section-45531)

### [Stay connected](#section-31059)

\
The National Security College is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government and The Australian National University.

[## Featured](#section-29504)

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)

[## What we offer](#section-418)

[### 

### 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](#section-12452)

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)

[Register your interest](https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A//forms.office.com/r/LgkK7DJ4Dx&data=05%7C02%7Ctanuj.parakh%40anu.edu.au%7Cdd7a28387f8342e8f2b208de6d09ac9c%7Ce37d725cab5c46249ae5f0533e486437%7C0%7C0%7C639068085530097099%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vyarmELsyWKonFG%2BMEWiqrqIcBerd2ePdt85OuV6sJ8%3D&reserved=0)

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)

[Enrol](mailto:epd.nsc@anu.edu.au)

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)

[Enrol](mailto:epd.nsc@anu.edu.au)

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)

[Enrol](mailto:epd.nsc@anu.edu.au)

[View all](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/executive-and-professional-development#section-29405)

[## Latest analysis and insight](#section-12472)

On

## [Voices from across Australia: Community Consultations Engagement Report](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/research/voices-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](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/research/no-worries-australian-attitudes-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](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/research/first-nations-perspectives-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](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/research/beyond-checkpoint-managing-australias-border-strategic-economic-and-national-security)

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.

[View all](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/publications-nsc)

[## NSC Futures Hub](#section-12458)

Can we make good decisions today, if we’re not thinking about tomorrow?

[Learn more](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/nsc-futures-hub)

[Contact us](mailto:futureshub.nsc@anu.edu.au)

[## In the news](#section-29505)

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)

[View all](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/publications-nsc#section-29434)

[## The National Security Podcast](#section-30125)

On

The National Security Podcast

18 March 2026

## [What is driving the war in Iran – and what comes next?](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/podcast/what-driving-war-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.

[Listen now](https://shows.acast.com/the-national-security-podcast/episodes/what-is-driving-the-war-in-iran-and-what-comes-next)

[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/348itEXrEB3cAAKMlizmow)

[Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-is-driving-the-war-in-iran-and-what-comes-next/id1395131021?i=1000755892505)

05 March 2026

## [Plotting a through line: February 2026 Geopolitics Update](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/podcast/plotting-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.

[Listen now](https://shows.acast.com/the-national-security-podcast/plotting-a-through-line-february-2026-geopolitics-update)

[Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-national-security-podcast/id1395131021?i=1000753159484)

[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kUNqNI788ptEMyrGoiXTK?si=Vl1JhMCJRmGnGmyrkjnn0g)

The National Security Podcast

19 February 2026

## [Modernising Australia's border security](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/podcast/modernising-australias-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.

[Listen now](https://shows.acast.com/the-national-security-podcast/modernising-australias-border-security)

[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/741Q2soRlPAERYiG349BAQ)

[Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/modernising-australias-border-security/id1395131021?i=1000750427520)

The National Security Podcast

05 February 2026

## [Why organised crime is now a national security threat](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/podcast/why-organised-crime-now-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.

[Listen now](https://shows.acast.com/the-national-security-podcast/episodes/why-organised-crime-is-now-a-national-security-threat)

[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4tnj1zzbHQZ2NuHeVFprqX)

[Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-national-security-podcast/id1395131021)

[View all](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/publications-nsc#section-30011)

[## Our community](#section-12465)

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)

[## Initiatives](#section-45531)

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)

[View all](https://nsc.anu.edu.au/initiatives)

[## Stay connected](#section-31059)

[Sign up to our mailing list](http://eepurl.com/gU-iwX)