• New DemosAU polling finds Australians divided on the national benefits of data centres
• See our report for more information

Australians remain unconvinced about the benefits of expanding data centres, but the issue does not yet generate the levels of hostility seen in the US, new DemosAU research shows.

The Capital Brief/DemosAU poll found 30% of Australians believe the development of more data centres will be good for Australians, compared with 32% who believe it will be bad. A substantial 38% remain neutral or unsure, leaving the national result finely balanced at net -2%.

However, attitudes become considerably more negative when Australians are asked about a data centre being built in their own area.

Just 23% would support a local data centre, compared with 44% who would oppose it and 33% who are unsure. By comparison, 49% support new apartment blocks being built locally and 25% oppose them, while a nuclear power plant attracts 20% support and 55% opposition.

The results suggest electricity prices are likely to be one of the biggest barriers to community acceptance.

More than two-thirds of Australians, 68%, believe a data centre built in their area would increase electricity prices, including 30% who believe prices would increase significantly. Six in ten believe pollution would increase.

Australians do see potential economic benefits. Almost half believe a local data centre would increase long-term jobs (48%) and economic growth (47%). But only 20% believe it would improve local quality of life, compared with 44% who expect quality of life to decline.

Attitudes also vary significantly across different sections of the community.

Higher-income Australians are considerably more positive, with those earning $125,000 or more recording a net positive rating of +16. University-educated Australians are net +7, while people earning under $45,000 are net -11.

Attitudes also differ significantly by geography. Inner metropolitan Australians record a net +8 rating towards more data centres, compared with an even result in outer metropolitan areas and -15 among regional and rural Australians.

Politically, the issue shows a divide between supports of established major parties and their opponents on the left and right. Coalition voters are the most positive at net +25, followed by Labor voters at +12. Greens voters are net -17 and One Nation voters net -16.

About the poll

The poll of 1,562 Australian voters was conducted via internet panels between 18 and 20 August 2026. The effective sample size after weighting was 754, with an effective margin of error of +/- 3.6%.