Two-thirds of Australians don't want the country's population to reach 36 million by 2050, as forecast by Treasury, an opinion poll shows.
The poll, released today, found 69 per cent of people want the population to be 30 million or less in 40 years time.
"The poll shows Australians are comfortable with some increase in population size but are not in full support of the 36 million projected in the government's intergenerational report," Lowy Institute executive director Michael Wesley said in a statement.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said he's in favour of a "Big Australia".
But last week he bowed to public concern about forecast population growth by appointing Tony Burke as the nation's first ever population minister.
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The opposition this week flagged a cut to Australia's overall immigration intake.
But that suggestion was criticised by business groups, which argued restricting the number of migrants would lead to higher taxes.
The Lowy Institute's poll of 1000 Australians - conducted in early March - shows just four per cent of people want the current population of 22 million reduced. Some 22 per cent of respondents believe the current figure is "the best target population" for 2050.
Forty-three per cent say the country should aim for 30 million.
Another 23 per cent suggest 40 million would be acceptable, while six per cent are happy to see the population reach 50 million over the next 40 years.
