Newspoll result: Coalition ahead of Anthony Albanese's Labor government for the first time in key battleground

The federal Coalition has inched ahead of Labor for the first time in a key election battleground, according to a surprising new poll. 

The Liberal-National Coalition has overtaken Labor in NSW, where their primary vote lifted two points to 40 per cent for the first time, with Labor improving just a point to 33 per cent.

It indicates that Anthony Albanese's Labor government could lose two seats in the state at the next election. 

The Coalition, lead by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, has also increased its lead in Queensland and is gaining on Labor in Victoria and South Australia, where Labor still remains in front. 

The state-by-state survey of almost 5,000 Aussies, which was carried out by Newspoll for The Australian over a three month quarterly period, found that Labor still leads the Coalition on a reduced two-party-preferred vote of 51-49.

But the majority of male voters now back the Coalition for the first time, while the female voters still marginally favour Labor. 

The results signal that Labor could be forced into forming a minority government with independents at the next election, which is expected by May next year. 

The Prime Minister will be concerned with Labor's apparent loss of support among young voters, where its primary vote has fallen three points to 30 per cent.

This demographic aged 18-34, has largely shifted to the Greens, which has seen support rise to 27 per cent. Support for the Coalition for the younger age demographic is also at 27 per cent.

In the 35-49 age demographic, the Coalition has boosted its support by six points to narrowly trail Labor on the two-party-preferred support basis.

Mr Dutton has also overtaken Mr Albanese in his home state Queensland as the preferred prime minister.

In SA, the parties are tied at 34 per cent each on primary ­support, with the Coalition gaining a point and Labor losing one. 

Elsewhere, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party made strides, rising from seven to 10 per cent in Queensland and ten to 12 per cent in SA.

When asked who would make the better prime minister, Mr Albanese (48 per cent) maintained a 12 point lead over Mr Dutton (36 per cent).

The remaining 16 per cent of voters were uncommitted.

Only 44 per cent of voters were satisfied with Mr Albanese's performance as prime minister while 50 per cent were dissatisfied.

Only 38 per cent were satisfied with Mr Dutton's performance as opposition leader while 51 per cent were dissatisfied.