Launch of First National Australian Muslim Poll
The Office of Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia (OSECI), in partnership with Deakin University, is proud to announce the launch of the Australian Muslim Poll.
This landmark initiative represents the Australia’s first annual, nationally representative social research project dedicated to capturing the diverse experiences, perspectives, attitudes, and wellbeing of Muslims across the country. As the first study of its kind commissioned by OSECI, the Poll will establish a robust evidence base to inform national policy, support community-led programs, and contribute to more informed public discourse with high-quality, data-driven insights on Muslim experiences in Australia.
Building a National Evidence Base
Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Mr Aftab Malik explains that “the primary goal of the Australian Muslim Poll is to establish a robust and repeatable snapshot of the Australian Muslim community. By tracking trends in social experiences, aspirations, and challenges over 2026 and 2027, the project will bridge existing research gaps and identify the specific factors that shape the lives of Muslims across the wider Australian landscape.”
A National Research Partnership
The project will be delivered by a multidisciplinary partnership between Deakin University and Griffith University, bringing together the nation's premier scholars in migration, social inclusion, and Islamic and Muslim studies. The project draws on expertise from leading Australian researchers, including Professor Fethi Mansouri (Deakin University) and Professor Halim Rane (Griffith University), whose work on Islam, Muslim communities, and social cohesion has contributed significantly to public understanding and policy debates in Australia.
To ensure the highest standards of accuracy, the team will employ a mixed-methods approach that combines a nationally representative survey with qualitative case studies based on engagements with Muslim communities. This methodology will provide both statistical data and rich contextual explanations of the diverse experiences of Muslim communities throughout Australia.
Project co-lead, Professor Fethi Mansouri, Founding Director of the Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, emphasised the transformative potential of the poll:
"The Australian Muslim Poll is a landmark initiative that finally provides a robust, evidence-based foundation for understanding the lived realities of Muslim communities in Australia. By moving beyond anecdotal evidence to a nationally representative data, the Australian Muslim Poll will create an enduring national evidence infrastructure for policymakers and community leaders to help address systemic challenges and foster a more inclusive society."
The findings from the first cycle of the Australian Muslim Poll are expected to be disseminated through public launch events, webinars, and policy briefings in late 2027.
About Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia
Aftab Malik is Australia’s first-ever Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. He is also a designated UN Alliance of Civilisations’ expert on global Muslim affairs and spent almost a decade working in the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. Mr Malik has worked with senior global leaders, multilateral institutions and policymakers since the aftermath of September 11, bringing long-term perspective to some of the most complex questions around identity, security and public discourse. His work spans research, advisory and published commentary, positioning him as a key voice in contemporary debates on Islamophobia and global affairs.
About Deakin University
Deakin University is home to the Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation (formerly ADI), Australia’s leading social science research institute, recognised for its national leadership in migration, multiculturalism, citizenship, and Islamic studies.