The Sky News Pulse / YouGov poll has revealed the biggest issue facing Australians is cost of living, dominating concerns across age, gender and political lines.

The cost of living was ranked the number one issue by 41 per cent of voters, ahead of immigration and housing, both on 10 per cent, and healthcare on 8 per cent.

Other concerns included climate change, government debt, wealth inequality, job security, national security, and pensions.

Top five issues facing AustraliaCost of living

The cost of living was the clear top priority for voters, appearing most often as the number-one concern across most demographic groups.

The issue was particularly dominant among 35–49 and 50–64 year-olds, as well as parents with children under the age of 18.

Cost pressures hit households at all income levels, but particularly those earning less than $100,000.

Most voters did not know which party was in the best place to manage the cost-of-living crisis, with 31 per cent unsure of their views.

Labor led all political parties with 25 per cent seeing them as best suited to handle cost of living, followed by the Coalition on 22 per cent and One Nation on 13 per cent.

Immigration

Immigration has emerged as the equal second most-cited issue for voters, with 10 per cent of people listing it their main concern.

The issue of immigration resonated most strongly with older voters, regional and working class voters, who also said One Nation was best placed to manage it.

Supporters of conservative parties — especially One Nation — overwhelmingly saw immigration as the number one national issue.

According to the data, 29 per cent of voters selected One Nation as the best party to handle immigration.

That was ahead of the Labor Party with 20 per cent support, Coalition on 19 per cent and the Greens at 8 per cent. Twenty-four per cent of voters were unsure.

Housing affordability

Housing affordability was ranked voters’ equal second-highest concern, alongside immigration, with 10 per cent of people listing it their biggest worry.

The housing crisis ranked especially high for renters, with 17 per cent listing it their biggest anxiety.

Inner metropolitan voters (12 per cent), and younger voters aged 18-34 (13 per cent) were also more likely to be concerned about housing affordability.

Most voters did not know who they thought was best placed to address the housing crisis (35 per cent).

Twenty-two per cent picked Labor, followed by the Coalition on 18 per cent and One Nation with 15 per cent.

Health care

Healthcare ranked as the fourth priority for all voters (8 per cent), but was a particular concern for among voters aged 65 and older (12 per cent), and women (10 per cent).

The Labor Party was overwhelmingly ranked as the best party to address healthcare, having recently launched 1800 Medicare and opened more Urgent Care Clinics.

Thirty-one per cent of people backed Labor to address healthcare, followed by the Coalition on 20 per cent and One Nation on 12 per cent.

Climate change

Climate change ranks lower overall, with 7 per cent naming it as their top concern — but it remains a defining issue for key constituencies.

Among Greens voters, nearly one in four (23 per cent) said there was no more important issue.

Climate change also resonated more strongly with those on higher-incomes, with 10 per cent of those earning over $100,000 and 11 per cent earning over $150,000 placing it first.

When it comes to party handling, the Greens dominated on 28 per cent, ahead of Labor on 20 per cent, One Nation on 12 per cent and the Coalition on 11 per cent.

Political backdrop

The poll, conducted between February 17–24, showed the Coalition making a modest recovery after months of internal instability.

The Coalition lifted three points to 22 per cent on the primary vote, though it still trailed One Nation on 24 per cent (down four points) and Labor on 29 per cent (down one).

On a two-party-preferred basis, Labor led the Coalition 53–47, narrowing by one point. Against One Nation, Labor led 56–44.