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How the public perceives the Australian Defence Force and the operations that the military has conducted, and continues to conduct, on behalf of the Australian people, is a critical context for any defence debate. Despite this, there is little systematic data on Australian public opinion on these important issues. The War Studies Research Group conducted surveys at the beginning of 2025 to assess public attitudes and produced three reports unpicking what the results mean.

The first survey assessed public attitudes towards the Australian Defence Force, including knowledge of the ADF, trust in the institution and the ADF’s future. An interim report was produced in April 2025, in the lead up to the Federal Election. The full report was published in June 2025.

The second survey assessed public attitudes towards, and understanding of, Australian military history. This report reveals the degree to which the Australian public understand the country’s military past, so often discussed in the national conversation. The report was published in June 2025.