Ipsos’ Indigenous Issues 2025 report has warned reconciliation efforts in Australia are facing significant headwinds as public interest slides from 56% in 2023 to 47% this year.

The trend was accompanied by a noted decrease in support for reconciliation initiatives, including the perceived importance of a Treaty and Voice to Parliament. Alongside the decline in interest was an 8-point uptick in decided uninterest in Indigenous issues. The decline in Australians’ interest in Indigenous issues is at the lowest levels recorded since 2021.

Support for symbolic gestures, such as Acknowledgements of Country and the use of traditional place names, is also on the decline. Acknowledgement of Country support has fallen from 44% in 2024 to 39% in 2025, while use of traditional place names was down 3% to 35% over the same time period.

Yet there is a noticeable shift towards favouring tangible actions and policies over symbolic initiatives. More than one third (34%) of Australians believe the government should do more for First Nations people. This sentiment is more pronounced among younger Australians aged 18-29, with 45% advocating for increased government action.

The report also identifies ‘modern racism’ as a significant obstacle, contributing to resistance against initiatives supporting First Nations people. These beliefs not only fuel resistance to initiatives supporting First Nations people but also create a distorted perception of how widely shared these opinions are, Ipsos said.

Changing the date of Australia Day remains unpopular, with 46% opposing the change and 23% in favour. Among younger Australians, 35% support changing the date.

Ipsos conducted the study via its online research panel, engaging 942 participants representing the adult Australian population.

“The Indigenous Issues report comes amid ongoing turbulence in Australian Indigenous affairs following the 2023 Voice to Parliament Referendum. Many Australians appear to be experiencing fatigue around Indigenous issues, with interest and support for key initiatives declining,” Nonie Finlayson, Ipsos Australia Public Affairs Research Director, said.

“However, the strong engagement of younger generations offers hope for the future of reconciliation efforts. Their higher levels of interest, cultural sensitivity and support for government action suggest focusing on youth engagement could help reinvigorate the reconciliation agenda. There is a desire for building meaningful connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, focusing on tangible actions and policies, with less support for initiatives that are seen to be symbolic.”

The report underscores the generational divide in attitudes towards Indigenous issues, with younger Australians showing more interest and support compared to older generations. This demographic trend suggests a potential shift in future public opinion and policy focus, driven by the engagement and advocacy of younger Australians.