Australia divided on migration issues

Australia is a deeply divided nation on migration issues, a new survey shows.

The Australian Institute for Progress conducted an online survey of 1349 people which found Australians are "talking past each other" on the subject.

The report found the most divisive areas of immigration policy were the way Australia deals with refugees and immigration from Islamic countries.

"Left-wing voters are humanitarian and see immigration almost entirely in terms of refugee policy," spokesman Graham Young said.

Right-wing voters tend to be utilitarian and see immigration almost entirely in terms of the benefits of increased size and economic capacity that skilled and targeted immigration can bring.

KEY FINDINGS

* 69 per cent Australians support high rates of immigration.

* Liberal and non-Green minor party voters more likely to support a decrease in the migration intake.

* Labor and Greens voters more likely to favour increased migration citing a need to accept more refugees.

* Non-Greens minor party and coalition voters strongly opposed on balance to Muslim immigration.

* Those opposed to increasing immigration were more likely to cite a perceived failure of immigrants to assimilate, along with environment issues, welfare costs, housing and infrastructure shortages.