A majority of respondents (55 per cent) rated the legal system – Australia’s framework of laws and justice processes – as either good or very good. But despite that positive assessment, the Rule of Law Survey has also identified widespread concern about the ability of the legal system to deliver on the goal of equal treatment under the law.

It found overwhelming support for the equal protection of rights (93 per cent) and that level of support is broadly reflected across the political spectrum of voters in all states, age groups and employment categories.

Those polled believe the most important goal of the legal system should be to ensure everyone has the same rights, freedoms and opportunities (79 per cent) rather than the same social and economic outcomes (16 per cent).

But fewer than half (47 per cent) believe the legal system is actually providing equal treatment for everyone regardless of background.

One of the clearest findings was a strong belief in every state and across the political spectrum that the legal system favours some groups over others.

These findings have implications for those in government who are largely responsible for the design of the nation’s legal system.

They suggest that the community’s overall positive view of the legal system is being eroded by concern that certain identity groups are receiving favoured treatment which is unavailable to the general community.

The special Rule of Law Education Centre, Australian Legal Studies & Civics Teacher Confidence Survey2025 was conducted online on Thursday February 27, 2025 to Tuesday March 3, 2025, with a cross-section of 411 teachers across Australia. Recipients were contacted via The Rule of Law Education Centre Mailing List and Facebook Groups for Teachers where teacher completed an online survey. 

When asked, as a part of your teaching qualification, if they undertook any formal training specifically for teaching of Legal Studies, Commerce or Civics, respondents were evenly split with 52% having undertaken formal training specifically for teaching Legal Studies, Commerce or Civics compared to 48% of respondents who have done no formal training for teaching Legal studies, Commerce or Civics.

 In the survey, over 50% of respondents feel very or extremely confident in teaching a wide range of civic and legal concepts.

Of respondents who are not extremely confident in being able to teach a wide range of subjects (about two-thirds), there were two main reasons as to why they lacked confidence:

Over 36% of respondents revealed they had not received any formal training in the areas they have been teaching or had limited exposure to the civics concepts they are now teaching. As a result, they have been learning on the job. 

The next most relevant explanation was that teachers found that current contemporary issues make it difficult to facilitate respectful debate in the classroom.

This need for greater teacher training is further underscored by responses to what would increase their confidence. T33%t found that more education in fundamental civic and legal concepts would boost their confidence and 32% found having more skills to guide respectful discussions and debates would boost their confidence.

Over 50% of respondents use the internet, including social media and read online newspapers daily as their source of news. Interestingly, nearly half of respondents hardly ever or never get their news from podcasts.