In 2010, 38.5 per cent of female voters backed a growing population but this has now fallen to 28.2 per cent. Over the past year, the nation's population has grown by 390,500 of which 61 per cent was from net overseas migration. But with growing public concern about Australia's immigration intake, the government is considering a reduction in the current cap of 190,000. The planned intake for the 2019-20 financial year, to be set in the April budget, is expected to be closer to 160,000. Already, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has signalled a reduction in the number of migrants brought into the country, saying he had heard "loud and clear" that city roads were clogged, "the buses and trains are full". Scott Morrison has signalled a cut in Australia's migration intake in response to concerns about the nation's cities. Credit:John Veage

It appears much of the drop in support for more Australians has been driven by issues in our major cities which have largely absorbed the 2.5 million increase in the nation's population since 2010. Almost nine out of 10 surveyed agreed that the high cost of housing was a reason to limit Australia's population growth. Eighty-five per cent also believed the nation's cities were over-crowded and there was too much traffic. Another concern among those surveyed was around labour shortages. About 90 per cent of those quizzed agreed that Australia should "train our own skilled people, not take them from other countries". Lead researcher Nicholas Biddle said with two-thirds of Australians believing the country has enough residents, the lived experience of many people was influencing their view towards immigration.

Loading "Australians are more likely to support population growth if it increases our skills base, mitigates the impacts of an ageing population and increase our economic prosperity," Associate Professor Biddle said. "But they do not want population growth to cause crowding, affordability or job security issues nor at the expense of our natural environment." The poll was conducted late last year, just as house prices were falling in most major capital cities with Sydney property down by more than 11 per cent. The poll is at odds with an Ipsos poll taken in October last year for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age which showed 52 per cent of respondents backing the idea of keeping or increasing the number of immigrants. Forty-five per cent supported a reduction in the nation's migrant intake.

Responding to the ANU poll, Coalition voters were the least likely to support a higher population while Greens voters were the most open to the idea, but even amongst them support was less than 50 per cent. People aged between 25 and 34 showed the highest support for more Australians, at more than 41 per cent. The lowest support was among people aged between 45 and 54, at less than 25 per cent. The survey also found large differences based on ethnic background. Just a quarter of Australian-born people supported a larger population, almost half the rate of those born in a non-English speaking country. Just under 40 per cent of those from an English-speaking nation backed a larger population. The government is considering a way to encourage immigrants to live in rural and regional areas, with some country towns crying out for skilled workers. The poll showed this was more popular among urban Australians than those living in areas that would be home to new residents.

Support among Coalition and Greens voters for the policy was about 75 per cent but among Labor voters it was 10 percentage points lower. Loading Professor Biddle said while the survey showed growing opposition to migration, those quizzed were not driven by cultural issues. He said there was substantially more support for migration on the grounds of broadening Australia's cultural diversity, almost double the rate for those who believed the nation was already too culturally diverse. According to Professor Biddle, Australians had a series of serious concerns about a growing population.