Research done for SBS by research agency Pollinate canvassed the views of 2000 people on different aspects of what it means to be an Australian today.
The research looked at what Australians want, what drives us and how these attitudes differ between first generation migrants and Australians who were born here.
Part of the research looked at 16 different language groups - consisting of three generations of families who talked about how they felt about Australia and how these attitudes differed between generations.
Strategy Manager with the Brand Partnerships team at SBS John Turnbull, says the research revealed first generation migrants felt more optimistic about their lives in Australia than people born here.
"We spoke to them about how they felt about a number of markers including whether they felt they had a bright future. The difference there was about 15-20 per cent. Migrants felt they had a bright future as opposed to people who were born here. The fact that got the life that they always worked for that was a really nice marker there was a really pronounced difference, that the people who had worked so hard to get here really appreciated the environment they had."
The research also explored changes to traditional notions of Australian identity.
It found those who held traditional views on a range of issues were 13 per cent less anxious about the future than those who considered themselves progressive.
As for those born in Australia the research found higher levels of anxiety about the future than first generation migrants.
Non migrants were 11 percent less likely to feel secure about the future or to trust others. John Turnbull explains.
"Australian born people tend to be a little less trusting of people they meet. And related to that not as optimistic for the future. And in fact there is an anxiety that is going through the Australian born community and a bit of a separation from the Australian identity. And it's around those big Australian events like Australia Day like Anzac Day. The complexity that goes around those can make it difficult for people who understand the breadth of the issues to really celebrate them. The good thing about migrants is that they don't necessarily have all that baggage there about invasion day. They can just go out there and really celebrate being Australian."
Peter Doukas is the Chair of the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW which provides advocacy, education, and community development on behalf of established and newly migrant groups.
He isn't surprised by the findings - saying he has observed similar attitudes in his daily dealings with various ethnic communities.
But he cautions optimism isn't always shared by some groups.
"We deal with communities who have had their big waves of migration much earlier so in the 50s and 60s as well as more recent arrivals. There is an energetic nature to first generation migrants and their kids. We do see that. We do see a bit of a problem with new arrivals, especially those of a refugee background. And some of the rhetoric that floats around now, it spawns a bit of fear and cynicism in them. But generally they are quite energetic and quite happy to be here."
Mr Doukas says with anti-immigrant sentiment sweeping Europe.
But he adds the results of the survey indicate the resilience of the Australian brand of multiculturalism.
"It may be a feel good article but I think it's very important because having people who have arrived recently being happy, having people that are here who have just moved to Australia being energetic and willing to contribute is one of those things that differentiates us from those countries in Europe which are seeing a real reaction to multiculturalism."
A higher percentage of migrants surveyed saw assisting their children to reach their potential as important - 53 per cents compared to 40 per cent for Australian born people.
A well paid job was also significantly more important to first generation migrants.
Associate Professor from the University of Adelaide Alex Reilly is an expert in the areas of migration and citizenship.
He says migrants are more likely to embrace a range of employment opportunities and be more entrepreneurial than those born in Australia.
It's also concerning that people born in Australia are less optimistic about the future.
Associate Professor Reilly says complacency needs to be tackled by our education system to ensure Australia remains competitive.
"I think it's a real concern for us in terms of how we're educating children. There's not doubt that from post world war two times in Australian have been booming - and people have gotten very used to having a high standard of living. Having work that is at a manageable level in terms of how many hours need to be worked to have that standard of living. And as we become more involved in the global world and there a places where people are prepared to work far harder to not have such a high standard of living, then unfortunately perhaps Australia is going to get caught up in that and it's going to be harder to maintain the expectation that we have grown up with in the future."
He says Australian researchers continue to explore changing migration patterns here and around the world.
"I think there is a general recognition that migrants contribute a lot this country. On the other hand we have a great deal of concern and fear around refugees even though refugees are ultimately really good economic contributors to the country as well. So there are different attitudes in different ways and there are lot of people trying to unpack what is going on there."
