Australians want subs built locally: poll

Most Australians want the nation's next fleet of submarines built locally - even if it costs more.

A Lowy Institute poll shows only 26 per cent believe the 12 new submarines - the winning bidder for which is due to be announced on Tuesday - should be built at the best possible price even if they're built overseas.

That's against 70 per cent who don't care if it costs more and just want a mainly local build.