Most voters say Abbott won't be leader

A new poll shows a majority of voters believe it's unlikely Tony Abbott will remain prime minister by the next election.

Most voters don't believe Tony Abbott will be Liberal leader by the 2016 election, a poll suggests. (AAP)

Most voters don't believe Tony Abbott will be Liberal leader by the 2016 election, a new survey suggests.

The latest Essential poll published on Tuesday found 51 per cent thought it unlikely Mr Abbott would still be prime minister at the election.

Only 29 per cent said it was likely and 20 per cent expressed no view.

Among Liberal and National voters, 50 per cent said he would be leader, while 29 per cent said it was unlikely.

Asked the same question of Labor leader Bill Shorten, 47 per cent said it was likely he would remain leader, while 20 per cent believed there would be a change.

Labor was considered most likely (46 per cent) to win the election, while 27 per cent of voters felt the coalition would retain office.

Among coalition voters, 16 per cent thought Labor was most likely to win the election, while 64 per cent were confident of a coalition win.

The Essential poll gave Labor a 52-48 two-party preferred lead over the government, down one point from last week.