The environment has catapulted to the top of the list of Australians' biggest worries, leapfrogging cost of living, healthcare and the economy.

When asked to pick the top three biggest issues confronting the nation – out of a potential list of 19 – 41 per cent of participants in an online poll conducted by Ipsos Australia this month put "the environment" in their top three, up 10 percentage points since last month.

Australians' concern about the environment has been slowly rising for the past few years. Credit:Nick Moir, Edwina Pickles, AAP

"Cost of living" and "healthcare" ranked as the equal-second biggest concerns, appearing on the top three lists of 31 per cent of about 1000 people surveyed. The "economy" featured on 25 per cent of lists and "crime" on 21 per cent.

Ipsos social researcher Daniel Evans said the summer's bushfire crisis and continuing drought had focused minds, but environmental concerns had been climbing steadily for half a decade.