Australians say they support multiculturalism but a new survey reveals that a third think asylum seekers arriving by boat should not be allowed to settle in the country.
The Mapping Social Cohesion report says the proportion of people who say asylum-seeker boats should be turned back has risen from 23 per cent in 2010 to 33 per cent this year.
Just 18 per cent say asylum seekers who reach Australia by boat should be able to apply for permanent residency, although that leaps to 70 per cent among those who vote Greens.
The report, which covers attitudes to multiculturalism, immigration, trust in politicians and discrimination, also says reported experience of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnic origin or religion has increased to the highest level since surveys began in 2007.
But the report's author, Monash University professor Andrew Markus, says 84 per cent of respondents still say multiculturalism has been good for Australia.
"The high level of support of multiculturalism was most surprising as there was not a strong support for immigration, particularly in some regional areas," Prof Markus said.
The survey also found Australians' trust in government is declining, with just a quarter of people agreeing that Canberra's politicians can be trusted.
It showed that people rank doctors, hospitals, police and television news as more trustworthy than political parties.
The report will be launched at Melbourne's Immigration Museum on Monday, when a panel will discuss the findings.
