The majority of Australians are supportive of action in Iraq despite believing it will increase the threat of a homeland terror attack, the latest Essential poll shows.

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Although 51 per cent of respondents said they believed action in Iraq would make Australia less safe, 52 per cent said they approved of providing military aid to the country anyway.

Only 34 per cent said they disagreed with the government’s decision to send 600 military personnel and aircraft to the country to take action against Islamic State militants.

The poll also shows that voters are confused as to the reason for Australian involvement in Iraq, with 36 per cent saying they believed it was to fight terrorism, 29 per cent saying it was to back the United States and only nine per cent saying it was to protect Iraqi citizens.

The poll results come nearly a week after massive anti-terror raids were conducted by 800 police across Brisbane and Sydney.