The federal government faces a public backlash if it pushes ahead with a tax on bank deposits in the May budget.
Treasurer Joe Hockey is taking a fresh look at a Labor government idea of a 0.05 per cent levy on deposits up to $250,000.
The levy would fund government guarantees on deposits, put in place in case of bank failure.
An Essential poll of 1008 voters has found 58 per cent oppose the levy, with only 14 per cent in support.
The opposition goes across the political spectrum, with 57 per cent of both Labor and coalition voters against it.
Two-thirds of voters believed customers would ultimately pay the levy despite it being imposed on the banks themselves.
Opposition was strongest among voters aged over 45.
The poll was commissioned by the Customer Owned Banking Association, which represents credit unions, building societies, mutual banks and friendly societies.
"The tax burden on bank accounts is already unfairly high, as noted in the government's tax discussion paper released last week. The levy will make this worse," COBA chief Mark Degotardi said.
Mr Degotardi said the government should instead consider the findings of its financial system inquiry, which advised against the levy.
The inquiry called for banks to raise their capital holdings to reduce the chance of them failing.
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