Trust in public institutions is a core component of effective public governance in democratic societies, especially as they navigate unprecedented challenges such as digital and environmental transitions. Trust can reduce transaction costs – in governance, in society, and in the economy – and ease compliance with public policies. It can help foster adherence to challenging reforms and programmes with better outcomes. In democracies, robust levels of trust – along with healthy levels of public scrutiny – can help legitimise and protect democratic institutions and norms. Australia exemplifies this through its long history of democratic innovation, a practice that both requires and generates trust. In this context, Australia stands out for its commitment to understanding and strengthening public trust. Through comprehensive national surveys and participation in international initiatives such as the OECD Survey on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions (Trust Survey), Australia demonstrates its dedication to building stronger, more responsive public institutions that serve its citizens effectively.
Australia’s robust democratic framework and positive attitudes towards diversity promote social cohesion. However, the country also grapples with historical legacies and modern challenges, including housing shortages, economic inequality and increasing societal divides. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both the strengths and complexities of Australia's federal system, demonstrating how trust can be tested and reinforced during crises. As the public sector continues its transformation toward more human-centred administration, maintaining the delicate balance between long-term thinking and political responsiveness remains crucial for sustaining public confidence.
The OECD Trust Survey, conducted across 30 OECD countries, provides a comprehensive analysis of how trust operates within democratic systems. It recognises trust as both a vital input for governance and as a key indicator of institutional performance.
This report, Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions in Australia, draws on extensive quantitative data collected through the OECD Trust Survey in 2021 and 2023, complemented by in-depth interviews with Australian stakeholders, including government officials, academics, and civil society representatives during 2024. This methodological approach provides valuable insights into trust levels, citizens' perceptions, and assessments of Australian public institutions, focusing particularly on government competence, notably reliability and responsiveness, and values such as integrity, openness, and fairness.
The findings and recommendations presented in this report aim to support Australian policymakers and public officials in their efforts to enhance trust in public institutions and strengthen democratic governance. This work seeks to contribute to more responsive, reliable, and citizen-centred public institutions that can effectively serve Australian communities while maintaining the trust necessary for democratic resilience. This report is the seventh in-depth country study in the OECD series “Building Trust in Public Institutions” following Korea in 2018, Finland in 2021, Norway in 2022, New Zealand and Brazil in 2023, and Chile in 2024.
The report was approved by the Public Governance Committee on 18 March 2025 and prepared for publication by the Secretariat.