Australians felt most comfortable with domestic travel and cinemas during the pandemic.
Western Australians reported the highest overall comfort at 4.70 on average.
Comfort levels in NSW and Victoria often dropped sharply during lockdowns.
Social distancing, sourdough making and panic buying – the COVID-19 pandemic changed the lifestyle and behaviour of Australians in many ways. Ongoing restrictions, border closures and virus outbreaks made Aussies reluctant to do everyday activities like shopping and travel.
Finder's COVID Comfort Indicator measured how comfortable Australians felt doing everyday activities while in the midst of the pandemic. Each month, Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker asked respondents how comfortable they felt doing the following:
Travelling overseas
Travelling domestically
Going to the gym
Going to the cinema
Taking public transport
Taking a taxi or Uber
Going to sporting events
Going to a music concert or live play
Comfort was ranked on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is not comfortable at all and 10 is extremely comfortable.
COVID Comfort Indicator by activity
COVID Comfort Indicator
How comfortable Australians feel doing select activities, where 1 = not comfortable at all and 10 = extremely comfortable.
COVID Comfort Indicator
Month
Travelling overseas
Travelling domestically
Going to the gym
Going to the cinemas
Going to sporting events
Going to a music concert / live play
Taking public transport
Taking a taxi / Uber
Dec-20
3.06374502
5.60059761
4.853585657
5.158366534
4.674302789
4.497011952
4.857569721
5.075697211
Jan-21
2.576693227
4.689243028
4.395418327
4.774900398
3.938247012
3.779880478
4.344621514
4.675298805
Feb-21
2.803536346
5.147347741
4.737721022
5.141453831
4.568762279
4.404715128
4.866404715
4.884086444
Mar-21
3.1408867
5.742857143
5.2591133
5.843349754
5.22364532
5.109359606
5.482758621
5.649261084
Apr-21
3.153313551
5.690405539
5.019782394
5.523244313
5.173095945
4.986152324
5.225519288
5.175074184
May-21
2.82
5.596
5.011
5.75
5.035
4.929
5.386
5.538
Jun-21
2.440711462
4.963438735
4.324110672
5.089920949
4.312252964
4.122529644
4.600790514
4.695652174
Jul-21
2.390147783
4.476847291
3.910344828
4.534975369
3.986206897
3.799014778
4.255172414
4.379310345
Aug-21
2.189672294
3.930486594
3.455809335
3.994041708
3.178748759
3.160873883
3.686196624
3.851042701
Sep-21
2.705882353
4.200398804
4.001994018
4.420737787
3.8444666
3.792622134
4.372881356
4.347956132
Oct-21
2.865024631
4.437438424
4.264039409
4.686699507
4.190147783
4.114285714
4.658128079
4.628571429
Nov-21
3.372413793
5.383251232
4.663054187
5.4
4.81773399
4.801970443
5.033497537
5.15862069
Dec-21
2.925962488
4.782823297
4.36130306
4.973346496
4.319842053
4.363277394
4.765054294
4.851924975
Jan-22
2.722
4.443
3.86
4.448
3.847
3.686
4.257
4.361
Feb-22
3.003683241
4.917127072
4.085635359
4.85174954
4.098526703
3.984346225
4.581031308
4.715469613
The data shows Australians were most comfortable with domestic travel and attending cinemas. Taking a taxi or Uber and taking public transport came in third and fourth place. Going to sporting events, the gym, and music concerts or live plays follow closely.
International travel was the activity Australians felt the least comfortable with since December 2020. Many Australians were forced to cancel holidays due to the pandemic. However with the opening of Australia's international borders, the level of comfort Australians have with overseas travel is creeping up.
COVID Comfort Indicator by state
Between December 2020 and February 2022, Western Australia maintained the highest level of overall comfort, with an average index rating of 4.70 out of 10. New South Wales had the lowest ranking overall, with an average of 4.18 since December 2020.
In most states, overall comfort peaked between March and May and dropped between June and August 2021.
New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland hit their lowest level of comfort in August. Western Australia and South Australia, which were relatively sheltered from virus outbreaks and lockdowns at the height of the pandemic, both hit their lowest level of comfort in January 2022.
COVID Comfort Indicator (by state)
COVID Comfort Indicator (by state)
Month - For Trends
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
Dec-20
4.375609756
4.717307692
4.807926829
4.506756757
4.984550562
Jan-21
3.725290698
4.111434109
4.504746835
4.003623188
4.810483871
Feb-21
4.340104167
4.382352941
4.902689873
4.764423077
4.882246377
Mar-21
5.175110132
5.183219178
5.595588235
4.450320513
4.979452055
Apr-21
4.788541667
5.363636364
4.718918919
4.517857143
5.509615385
May-21
4.686611374
5.342027559
5.295454545
4.689102564
4.903225806
Jun-21
4.326298701
3.945696721
4.580745342
4.690878378
4.087328767
Jul-21
3.534090909
4.419186047
3.737804878
4.418831169
4.512681159
Aug-21
2.910649819
3.734716157
3.266369048
3.72
4.29109589
Sep-21
3.677824268
3.883555133
4.187091503
4.363782051
4.580263158
Oct-21
4.08921371
4.144565217
3.959415584
4.177884615
5.168421053
Nov-21
4.635548523
4.767167382
4.867038217
4.599358974
5.165697674
Dec-21
4.520196507
4.374528302
4.630952381
4.25
4.593283582
Jan-22
3.586004274
4.236784141
4.155080214
3.158653846
4.020220588
Feb-22
4.385714286
4.436567164
4.140306122
4.295180723
4.041666667
COVID Comfort Indicator (December 2020 - February 2022 average)
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
Travelling overseas
2.85
3.05
2.69
2.36
2.47
Travelling domestically
4.96
5.11
5.01
4.67
4.46
Going to the gym
4.05
4.49
4.60
4.35
4.86
Going to the cinemas
4.56
5.01
5.19
5.16
5.48
Going to sporting events
4.04
4.42
4.36
4.45
4.84
Going to a music concert / live play
3.93
4.30
4.31
4.29
4.71
Taking public transport
4.58
4.65
4.79
4.40
5.37
Taking a taxi / Uber
4.50
4.72
4.97
4.78
5.42
New South Wales
Those from New South Wales reached their highest level of comfort in March 2021. Across all activities, the indicator reached 5.18 out of 10. In August 2021, the indicator hit its lowest point since December 2020, at 2.91.
COVID Comfort Indicator (New South Wales)
COVID Comfort Indicator (New South Wales)
Month - For Trends
Travelling overseas
Travelling domestically
Going to the gym
Going to the cinemas
Going to sporting events
Going to a music concert / live play
Taking public transport
Taking a taxi / Uber
Dec-20
2.926829268
5.546341463
4.448780488
4.746341463
4.195121951
3.970731707
4.463414634
4.707317073
Jan-21
2.534883721
4.515503876
3.76744186
4.096899225
3.387596899
3.279069767
4.031007752
4.189922481
Feb-21
2.695833333
5.254166667
4.366666667
4.8375
4.125
4.1
4.783333333
4.558333333
Mar-21
3.414096916
5.872246696
5.136563877
5.748898678
5.008810573
4.920704846
5.669603524
5.629955947
Apr-21
2.9875
5.5625
4.7375
5.120833333
4.858333333
4.641666667
5.3625
5.0375
May-21
2.54028436
5.469194313
4.511848341
5.246445498
4.616113744
4.483412322
5.213270142
5.412322275
Jun-21
2.329004329
5.060606061
3.948051948
5.112554113
4.354978355
4.134199134
4.961038961
4.70995671
Jul-21
2.390572391
4.158249158
3.383838384
3.892255892
3.518518519
3.245791246
3.875420875
3.808080808
Aug-21
2.19133574
3.577617329
2.866425993
2.996389892
2.761732852
2.783393502
3.072202166
3.036101083
Sep-21
3.071129707
4.079497908
3.464435146
3.761506276
3.376569038
3.430962343
4.158995816
4.079497908
Oct-21
3.217741935
4.85483871
3.975806452
4.14516129
4.032258065
3.754032258
4.5
4.233870968
Nov-21
3.518987342
5.565400844
4.312236287
5.084388186
4.535864979
4.556962025
4.755274262
4.755274262
Dec-21
3.109170306
5.292576419
4.441048035
4.969432314
4.253275109
4.384279476
4.917030568
4.794759825
Jan-22
2.602564103
4.235042735
3.346153846
3.905982906
3.41025641
3.188034188
4.123931624
3.876068376
Feb-22
3.208163265
5.310204082
4.012244898
4.767346939
4.163265306
4.07755102
4.812244898
4.734693878
Victoria
Victorians report relatively high levels of comfort when the state was not in lockdown. In April 2021, the indicator peaked at an average of 5.36 out of 10. The indicator fell to 3.95 in June as the state entered its fourth lockdown. Victoria had one of the most volatile COVID Comfort Indicator scores over time.
COVID Comfort Indicator (Victoria)
COVID Comfort Indicator (Victoria)
Month - For Trends
Travelling overseas
Travelling domestically
Going to the gym
Going to the cinemas
Going to sporting events
Going to a music concert / live play
Taking public transport
Taking a taxi / Uber
Dec-20
3.242307692
5.642307692
4.846153846
5.092307692
4.619230769
4.465384615
4.834615385
4.996153846
Jan-21
2.643410853
4.720930233
4.395348837
4.713178295
3.891472868
3.701550388
4.224806202
4.600775194
Feb-21
2.889705882
5.102941176
4.452205882
4.783088235
4.441176471
4.308823529
4.588235294
4.492647059
Mar-21
3.059360731
5.949771689
5.328767123
6.01826484
5.264840183
5.132420091
5.278538813
5.433789954
Apr-21
3.55
5.909090909
5.422727273
5.995454545
5.736363636
5.454545455
5.377272727
5.463636364
May-21
2.984251969
6.003937008
5.417322835
6.263779528
5.618110236
5.417322835
5.405511811
5.625984252
Jun-21
2.557377049
4.68442623
4.069672131
4.487704918
3.983606557
3.737704918
4.012295082
4.032786885
Jul-21
2.906976744
4.948837209
4.260465116
5.106976744
4.36744186
4.362790698
4.795348837
4.604651163
Aug-21
2.371179039
4.205240175
3.868995633
4.262008734
3.3930131
3.35371179
4.148471616
4.27510917
Sep-21
2.851711027
4.262357414
3.996197719
4.254752852
3.798479087
3.771863118
4.076045627
4.057034221
Oct-21
3.239130435
4.669565217
4.169565217
4.534782609
4.052173913
4.02173913
4.247826087
4.22173913
Nov-21
3.643776824
5.557939914
4.450643777
5.248927039
4.64806867
4.587982833
4.879828326
5.120171674
Dec-21
3.132075472
4.894339623
4.350943396
4.796226415
4.271698113
4.267924528
4.728301887
4.554716981
Jan-22
3.233480176
4.889867841
4.04845815
4.647577093
4.13215859
3.947136564
4.440528634
4.555066079
Feb-22
3.388059701
5.264925373
4.313432836
5.007462687
4.097014925
4.003731343
4.649253731
4.768656716
Queensland
The COVID Comfort Indicator in Queensland peaked in March 2021, with an average ranking of 6.0 out of 10. Due to multiple snap lockdowns, Queensland's COVID Comfort Indicator is relatively volatile, hitting a low of 3.27 out of 10 in August 2021.
COVID Comfort Indicator (Queensland)
COVID Comfort Indicator (Queensland)
Month - For Trends
Travelling overseas
Travelling domestically
Going to the gym
Going to the cinemas
Going to sporting events
Going to a music concert / live play
Taking public transport
Taking a taxi / Uber
Dec-20
2.93902439
5.62195122
5.012195122
5.231707317
4.823170732
4.62195122
5.079268293
5.134146341
Jan-21
2.613924051
5.006329114
4.85443038
5.310126582
4.373417722
4.183544304
4.601265823
5.094936709
Feb-21
2.759493671
5.455696203
5.056962025
5.835443038
4.987341772
4.721518987
5.132911392
5.272151899
Mar-21
3.272727273
5.951871658
5.85026738
6.203208556
5.786096257
5.56684492
5.935828877
6.197860963
Apr-21
2.92972973
5.578378378
4.843243243
5.291891892
4.686486486
4.697297297
4.708108108
5.016216216
May-21
2.882352941
5.893048128
5.497326203
6.176470588
5.096256684
5.122994652
5.882352941
5.812834225
Jun-21
2.527950311
5.310559006
4.633540373
5.453416149
4.391304348
4.341614907
4.875776398
5.111801242
Jul-21
2.091463415
4.414634146
3.792682927
4.384146341
3.682926829
3.396341463
3.859756098
4.280487805
Aug-21
1.880952381
3.827380952
3.172619048
3.952380952
3.017857143
3.047619048
3.404761905
3.827380952
Sep-21
2.431372549
4.503267974
4.411764706
5.026143791
3.869281046
3.790849673
4.738562092
4.725490196
Oct-21
2.253246753
3.935064935
3.967532468
4.603896104
3.727272727
3.88961039
4.636363636
4.662337662
Nov-21
3.152866242
5.343949045
4.923566879
5.515923567
4.675159236
4.770700637
5.178343949
5.375796178
Dec-21
2.994047619
5.005952381
4.714285714
5.202380952
4.404761905
4.595238095
5.071428571
5.05952381
Jan-22
2.786096257
4.481283422
4.299465241
4.77540107
4.021390374
4.042780749
4.390374332
4.443850267
Feb-22
2.862244898
4.852040816
3.979591837
4.933673469
3.867346939
3.846938776
4.31122449
4.469387755
South Australia
The COVID Comfort Indicator was the least volatile in South Australia. Interestingly, South Australia had the second-lowest comfort ranking, with an average of 4.31. Going to the cinema is the activity South Australians felt most comfortable with, ranking 5.16 out of 10 on average since December 2020.
COVID Comfort Indicator (South Australia)
COVID Comfort Indicator (South Australia)
Month - For Trends
Travelling overseas
Travelling domestically
Going to the gym
Going to the cinemas
Going to sporting events
Going to a music concert / live play
Taking public transport
Taking a taxi / Uber
Dec-20
2.635135135
5.567567568
4.540540541
4.959459459
4.972972973
4.297297297
4.22972973
4.851351351
Jan-21
2.260869565
4.275362319
4.130434783
5.246376812
4.057971014
3.666666667
4.144927536
4.246376812
Feb-21
2.871794872
4.602564103
5.243589744
5.705128205
5.08974359
4.461538462
4.961538462
5.179487179
Mar-21
1.961538462
4.641025641
4.512820513
5.692307692
4.743589744
4.641025641
4.294871795
5.115384615
Apr-21
2.545454545
5.025974026
4.376623377
5.168831169
4.948051948
4.545454545
4.87012987
4.662337662
May-21
2.371794872
4.897435897
4.692307692
5.717948718
4.782051282
4.833333333
4.858974359
5.358974359
Jun-21
2.310810811
5.094594595
4.608108108
5.716216216
5.013513514
4.716216216
4.824324324
5.243243243
Jul-21
2.350649351
4.727272727
4.662337662
5.25974026
4.61038961
4.454545455
4.376623377
4.909090909
Aug-21
2.053333333
4.52
4.026666667
4.813333333
3.253333333
3.64
3.533333333
3.92
Sep-21
2.384615385
4.243589744
4.666666667
5.025641026
4.397435897
4.474358974
4.653846154
5.064102564
Oct-21
2.435897436
4.423076923
4.269230769
4.897435897
4.076923077
4.115384615
4.525641026
4.679487179
Nov-21
2.307692308
4.666666667
4.538461538
5.525641026
5.179487179
5.076923077
4.551282051
4.948717949
Dec-21
2.448717949
4.5
4.179487179
4.884615385
4.346153846
4.384615385
4.487179487
4.769230769
Jan-22
1.948717949
4.051282051
3.051282051
3.666666667
2.884615385
2.756410256
3.282051282
3.628205128
Feb-22
2.445783133
4.771084337
3.759036145
5.072289157
4.43373494
4.289156627
4.397590361
5.192771084
Western Australia
Western Australians had the highest average level of comfort with all activities except domestic and international travel since December 2020. Going to the cinemas (5.48) and taking a taxi or Uber (5.42) were the activities they felt most at ease with on average. The COVID Comfort Indicator peaked in April, with a ranking of 5.51 out of 10 across all activities.
COVID Comfort Indicator (Western Australia)
COVID Comfort Indicator (Western Australia)
Month - For Trends
Travelling overseas
Travelling domestically
Going to the gym
Going to the cinemas
Going to sporting events
Going to a music concert / live play
Taking public transport
Taking a taxi / Uber
Dec-20
2.865168539
5.078651685
5.101123596
5.831460674
4.943820225
5.157303371
5.348314607
5.550561798
Jan-21
2.193548387
4.451612903
5.338709677
5.532258065
5.129032258
4.709677419
5.64516129
5.483870968
Feb-21
2.637681159
5.15942029
5.362318841
5.420289855
4.695652174
4.797101449
5.492753623
5.492753623
Mar-21
2.520547945
5.068493151
5.068493151
5.520547945
5.02739726
5.136986301
5.547945205
5.945205479
Apr-21
2.784615385
5.984615385
5.569230769
6.107692308
5.907692308
5.8
6.123076923
5.8
May-21
2.532258065
4.967741935
4.725806452
5.290322581
5.14516129
5.080645161
5.887096774
5.596774194
Jun-21
2.328767123
4.178082192
4.424657534
4.684931507
3.98630137
3.561643836
4.602739726
4.931506849
Jul-21
2.086956522
4
4.376811594
5.507246377
4.826086957
4.623188406
5.376811594
5.304347826
Aug-21
1.98630137
3.97260274
4.315068493
5.301369863
4.164383562
4.178082192
5.342465753
5.068493151
Sep-21
2.178947368
3.905263158
4.652631579
5.547368421
4.789473684
4.589473684
5.4
5.578947368
Oct-21
2.568421053
3.978947368
5.652631579
6.357894737
5.536842105
5.431578947
5.894736842
5.926315789
Nov-21
3.244186047
4.895348837
5.313953488
5.953488372
5.395348837
5.255813953
5.686046512
5.581395349
Dec-21
2.402985075
3.865671642
4.791044776
5.462686567
4.925373134
4.746268657
5.089552239
5.462686567
Jan-22
2.117647059
3.720588235
4.205882353
4.955882353
4.014705882
3.794117647
4.485294118
4.867647059
Feb-22
2.530864198
3.641975309
4.074074074
4.728395062
4.185185185
3.827160494
4.62962963
4.716049383
Methodology
Data was obtained from Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker, an ongoing nationally representative survey of 1,000 Australians each month.
The survey asks respondents to rank their level of comfort with each activity on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being not comfortable at all and 10 being extremely comfortable.
Due to small sample sizes, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT have been excluded from state-by-state comparisons but are included in the overall indicator.
The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics, an SAP company.
Sophie Wallis is a senior insights analyst with a passion for data storytelling. She spends her time turning complex data into digestible stories and uncovering new consumer trends. When she isn't working, you'll find her planning her next overseas holiday or bingeing on a big novel. Sophie has a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Melbourne.
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