New polling shows Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull still has plenty of work ahead of him despite his opening week of leadership delivering the federal coalition a strong bounce.
A poll from lobby group Essential Media Communications shows 58 per cent total approval for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd while Mr Turnbull registered 36 per cent on the same question.
However, the two party leaders were tied on total disapproval ratings of 30 per cent each.
"That's got to be a plus for Mr Turnbull," Essential's manager of federal political relations Chris Johnson told AAP.
"I think what can be drawn from this is that the Australian public are willing to be genuine in listening to Mr Turnbull and reserve their judgment, they're open minded about him right now."
The polling, done by Essential for research company Your Source, also found nearly half of voters undecided about which side is best able to handle the economy.
Treasurer Wayne Swan garnered 34 per cent to newly installed opposition treasury spokeswoman Julie Bishop's 19 per cent.
It leaves a 47 per cent of those surveyed undecided.
"(Ms Bishop) has a long way to go in proving her economic credentials but it is her first week in the job," Mr Johnson said.
He added that those surveyed had not given Mr Swan a firm endorsement.
"That 47 per cent really means `don't know, don't care', I would say that's indicative of people not engaged in the treasury performance."
Mr Johnson said much of the work that could be done by Mr Swan was being done by Mr Rudd.
"It's indicative of Mr Rudd stealing the limelight of all of his ministers."