Labor will begin the election campaign with leads over the Coalition in Victoria and Queensland, in which it was trounced three years ago, but the race is tighter in NSW, according The Australian Financial Review/Ipsos poll.

As Scott Morrison awaits the outcome of a court challenge on Tuesday, which could affect the timing of the election, the poll also shows the Coalition behind in all other states and territories, but the sample sizes are too small to provide any more than a rough indication.