Google and Bunnings named as brands most trusted by Aussies

Bunnings and technology giant Google have topped a list of the most trusted brands in Australia, while Centrelink was named as having the worst reputation.

Australia's love of technology saw tech brands dominate the most coveted positions in the Brand Institute of Australia's annual report.

Google was first, with Bunnings a close second.

Samsung and Apple rounded out the top four of 100 companies with the healthiest reputations.

In the battle of the retail giants, Woolworths in 6th beat Coles in 11th spot while Kmart came in at 19^th ahead of Aldi in 20^th.

The report was based on a survey of 2000 consumers who were questioned about brand image, operations, products and services, social responsibility, innovation, communication, financial performance and customer values. 

This year, the big four banks have all dropped down the list as the fallout continues in the wake of the Banking Royal Commission.

Bendigo Bank took out 55th place before the big four was lead by Westpac in 56^th, CBA  61^st, ANZ 70^th and NAB 73^rd.

IGA was the only bank to place in the top half of the list, coming in 44^th position.

But it was Centrelink who came in dead last position after a damaging year of revelations about its disastrous debt recovery program, known as robodebt.

"At any given moment, the immediate consciousness of Australians is filled with a variety of brands and companies," The Brand Institute CEO Associate Professor Karl Treacher said.

"The reputation of these organisations has a profound and direct effect on how well they perform."

"For the most part our findings matched our expectations, with Google and Apple leading the pack and a number of brands with recent PR issues struggling at the bottom," Assoc Prof Treacher says.