Forty per cent of Australians hold an unfavourable view of the United States and most of those say it is due to President George W Bush, a comprehensive opinion poll has found.

The Lowy Institute has released its annual survey of Australian public opinion on foreign policy and global affairs.

Mr Bush is due to arrive in Australia next week for APEC, just as his friend, Prime Minister John Howard, prepares for an election.

But the Lowy poll shows many Australians disapprove of Mr Bush.

However 60 per cent of people continue to hold a favourable view of the US.

Among those who do not, most cite Mr Bush and American foreign policy as the reasons why.

Of all the external threats to Australia, climate change causes the most concern, with 55 per cent of people very worried about it.

That rates well above fears for international terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism.