Australians are increasingly concerned about many security threats, especially risks related to artificial intelligence (AI), economic security, disinformation and foreign interference, according to new research from the National Security College (NSC) at The Australian National University (ANU).
The weaponisation of artificial intelligence was rated as the leading threat to Australia’s national security – followed by a severe economic crisis and disruption to critical supplies – out of 15 security concerns that could potentially arise over the next decade.
That’s according to early findings from two nationally representative surveys of more than 12,000 Australians, led by NSC. Respondents were asked to rate the seriousness of emerging risks to Australia’s future security such as technological advancements, a terrorist attack, violent unrest in Australia, a foreign military attack on the nation, and more.
The surveys were conducted by the Social Research Centre using their Life in Australia panel. The data for the two surveys was collected in November 2024 and July 2025.
According to the research, Australians are becoming increasingly worried about AI, with 77 per cent of respondents saying they are concerned by the potential for the technology to be used to attack Australian people and businesses.
Meanwhile, 73 per cent of Australians are worried about the deliberate spread of false information to mislead the Australian public and harm their interests.
Foreign interference was also rated as a top national security concern among Australians, with 72 per cent of respondents saying they are concerned that a foreign country will interfere with Australia’s politics, government, economy or society in the next 10 years.
The researchers found 75 per cent of Australians perceive a severe economic crisis as a ‘moderate’ to ‘major’ threat to our country, whereas 74 per cent of people are concerned about a potential disruption to critical supplies due to a crisis overseas.
“Our research suggests that Australians generally have a sound and responsive understanding of the worsening security landscape we find ourselves in,” Professor Rory Medcalf AM, Head of the National Security College, said.
The researchers found public anxiety about national security issues is on the rise. In July 2025, half of the respondents agreed (36 per cent) or strongly agreed (14 per cent) with the statement: “I am worried about Australia’s national security”. This represents an eight per cent increase between November 2024 and July 2025.
The survey also asked Australians what they want the Government to prioritise over the next five years.
More than one-in-three Australians (35 per cent) said safe and peaceful communities should be the country’s top priority, followed by the need to increase Australia’s economic prosperity (26 per cent), upholding Australia’s democratic rights and freedoms (23 per cent), and strengthening Australia’s security (15 per cent).
“The priority of peaceful and safe communities provides a valuable point of national convergence in confronting times,” Professor Medcalf said.
The National Security College commissioned the surveys as part of a larger Community Consultations project, which also involved conducting interviews with hundreds of Australians from across the country, from metropolitan, regional and rural areas, as well as a public submissions process.
The initiative is intended to inform a truly national conversation on Australia’s future security and provide a better idea of how Australians perceive national security and what it means to them.
The researchers will release their findings in full in a major new report that will be launched at the NSC’s Securing our Future: a ready and resilient Australia conference, to be held at ANU on 24-25 March 2026.
