However only one in three Australians aged under 30 could name a politician who had done something positive this year.

An IPSOS poll of more than 1000 people found the number of participants able to name a politician who'd had a positive impact had increased from 30 per cent in February to 48 per cent in September.

However 67 per cent of those polled between the ages of 18 and 29 could not name a politician who'd done something positive this year.

More than half (55 per cent) of young Australians were getting their news through social media or not consuming news at all.

There was also a marked increase in the number of people who believed behaving ethically was the most important trait a politician could have.

In February, 51 per cent believed it was the most important quality for a politician. In September, 66 per cent of people ranked it number one.

The poll was conducted by the McKinnon Prize, a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and Susan McKinnon Foundation.

2020 McKinnon Prize Ambassador Amanda Vanstone said even though it was heartening that the level of political engagement had increased, the result was still "discouragingly low".

"On the upside, the single most important quality we look for in a political leader is ethical behaviour. If our political leaders can demonstrate ethical behaviour, Australians may be able to regain their confidence in the political process and switch back on," Ms Vanstone said.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian won the 2019 McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership.

Ms Berejiklian dodged calls to resign on Monday after it was revealed she was in a "close and personal relationship" with disgraced ex-MP Daryl Maguire, who is the subject of an Independent Commission Against Corruption probe.

"I stuffed up in my personal life. I accept that," Ms Berejiklian said.

"There is huge separation between a personal life and public office. And I can't stress enough that every day that I've been in this job I have held myself accountable to the highest standards, and I've held my colleagues to the highest standards."