The annual Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion survey for 2016 also says that support for multiculturalism remains high at 83 per cent, and over 90 per cent of respondents felt a sense of belonging in Australia.
It finds that over the course of the last six surveys there has been no significant shift in negative opinion towards Muslims which remains between 22-25 per cent.
Just 34 per cent of respondents think the immigration intake is too high - less than in any year since research began in 2007.
Professor Andrew Markus from Monash University in Melbourne, says when people were asked if they supported an overseas humanitarian program, 80 per cent said 'yes' they support it, but when it came to boat arrivals, that proportion goes down to 32 per cent.
Almost a quarter of all young males showed no interest in the federal election, compared to 7 per cent of young women.
