Testing Universality and Inclusivity: Public Attitudes About Who Should Receive a Universal Basic Income ( <scp>UBI</scp> ) in Australia

ABSTRACT An enduring debate in UBI literatures concerns whether cash transfers should be limited to citizens of a nation state or extended to non‐citizens. This debate reflects broader discussions on citizenship and its role in granting or restricting political, social, economic and cultural rights. We engage with this here, drawing on the findings of a recent representative survey of Australian public attitudes towards UBI. The findings indicate stronger overall support for a citizen‐only UBI, with respondents' age, citizenship status and voting preferences identified as key predictors of support. We contextualise these findings and consider their implications, including the extent to which they highlight unresolved tensions about the role of citizenship in determining welfare entitlements.