A new report finds 61 per cent of Australians have trust in public services. 

The findings - based on monthly surveys of around 1,000 people - suggest trust increased “significantly” during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that people are more likely to trust the public service when they use it.

The Australian Taxation Office had the highest level of trust, at 81 per cent, while Centrelink was ranked lowest at 63 per cent.

Migrant Australians appear more likely to trust the APS, with 59 per cent of people born in Australia saying they trust the APS, compared to 68 per cent for people born overseas.

Women’s trust in the APS is about 10 points lower than men’s.

“Media commentary on women’s safety and Parliamentary safety in early 2021 may have influenced both men and women’s trust to significantly decline in June 2021, and account for women’s decline being twice that of men,” the report says. 

People in regional areas appear to trust the APS less than those in metro areas (56 per cent vs 63 per cent).

The report also surveyed satisfaction, and found that 73 per cent of people are satisfied with the service they receive, and that public servants are seen as acting professionally and treating people with respect.

The Australian Taxation Office was also the top-rated agency for satisfaction, with an 82 per cent satisfaction rate, while the lowest-ranked agency of those covered was the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with 58 per cent satisfaction.

The full report is accessible here.