Labor and One Nation level on 28% in latest Guardian Essential poll

Labor and One Nation are level on 28% of the primary vote each, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. The Coalition is on 23%. The primary vote is the share of people who name a party as their first choice, before any preferences are counted. The poll surveyed 1,087 Australians.

In the September poll, Labor was on 29% and One Nation on 25%. The Coalition was on 22%. Labor has therefore slipped a point since September, while One Nation has risen three points and the Coalition one.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's approval rating is 38%, up one point. Disapproval rose two points to 56%, which is equal to the highest level recorded since he became prime minister in 2022. His net approval, which is approval minus disapproval, is -18. In August, disapproval was also 56%, when his approval was 35% and his net approval was -21.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor's approval is 35% and his disapproval is 40%, for a net approval of -5. In September, he recorded 31% approval and 43% disapproval.

Asked about the direction of the country, 61% said it was on the wrong track and 25% said it was on the right track. The wrong-track figure was 38% in May 2023, 46% in October 2025 and 54% in January. It has not dipped below 50% since, according to the same poll.

Asked what was driving the rising cost of living, 32% named government spending. Another 24% pointed to the war in the Middle East, and 19% named supermarket price gouging.

On which party could be trusted to "ensure the economy works in the interests of everyday Australians", Labor led on 32%, ahead of One Nation on 29%.

In late September, more than half of Australians said they wanted the country's migrant intake lowered, in a separate Guardian Essential poll. The October poll was taken after an alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines.