A fifth of Australian are in favour of the country having higher levels of migration and almost half support existing levels, a new poll has found.

Some 22% of people questioned for the Newspoll survey said that they favour an intake higher than the current 190,000 immigrants that arrived last year.

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22% of those surveyed favour a higher intake of immigrants​

24% of respondents, most of whom were young, high earners and living in cities, said they would back an even higher intake.

A breakdown of the poll figures shows that it is immigrants from Europe that are most favoured, with 26% of Australian saying they would be happy to see more people from European countries.

Some 18% said they would like to see more immigrants arrive from Asian countries and 20% said they supported the arrival of more people from Africa.

In contrast, just 14% of Australians want to see more Muslim migrants, and 37% favour a decrease in the number of immigrants.

Lower income earners are more likely to want immigration levels cut and most likely to regard immigration as too high. Older Australians tend to favour the status quo, or a cut in immigration, while those aged 18 to 34 prefer an increase.

The Newspoll survey also shows that Australians still regard racism as a national trait. One in five people polled said that the word 'racist' describes Australians 'a lot', while two thirds agree it describes them 'a little'. Only 12% said that they believe Australians are not at all racist.

Women are more likely to regard Australians as very racist, along with people living in the capital cities, and those with high incomes. Older Australians and middle income earners are the most likely to view Australia as a tolerant society.

Newspoll also found that one in four Australians believes indigenous people remain as disadvantaged now as they were half a century ago, while 60% feel the gap between indigenous and other Australians in terms of health, job opportunities and education is smaller than it was 50 years ago.

The survey reveals a nation divided on assistance for indigenous people, with nearly as many Australians believing governments must do more to close the gap as those who think enough is being done.