NCLS Research is a world leader in research focused on connecting Christian churches, schools and agencies with their communities. Decades of rigorous and thoughtful research has examined wellbeing, spirituality, effective leadership and church health. Our vision is for thriving Christian communities understanding their role and mission within a changing society.
Announcing the 2026 NCLS!
The 2026 National Church Life Survey will take place across Australian churches in late 2026, the same year as the National Census. Hundreds of thousands of voices will contribute to the most comprehensive view of church life in the world.
Schools:
The Student Spiritual Life Survey is available now and for 2025!
Local Churches:
A suite of survey tools available at any time
Learn More View Church Life Profile
Sign in to access NCLS surveys, reports, dashboards and resources
Go to My NCLS Admin
Latest Research Findings
Hope about the future of the world is on the decline
Hope about the future has dropped since last year. In 2025, only two in ten Australians said they felt hopeful or very hopeful about the future of the world - that’s lower than in 2024. Even more concerning, four in ten reported low levels of hope.
Robbers of hope
Australians are feeling overwhelmed. The term “polycrisis” describes what many of us are experiencing: multiple, overlapping global threats that compound each other. In 2025, the top concerns included war and conflict, economic security and climate change.
Young people are most concerned about climate change
Climate change is top of mind for young Australians. In 2025, 80% of 18–34-year-olds said they were at least moderately worried about its impact on their future. Compare that to just 50% of those aged 65+, and you see a clear generational divide.
Hope is stronger close to home
Here’s a fascinating insight: the closer to home we get, the more hopeful Australians feel. In 2025, only 19% felt hopeful about the future of the world—but that rose to 29% for Australia, 32% for their local community, and 44% for their personal future.
Latest News and Features
NCLS Research is pleased to present the 'Conversations on Hope' webinar. Watch anytime!
Conversations on Hope webinar
Watch now for the latest insights on Australians and hope
How hopeful are Australians? Watch this webinar to find out!
"Conversations on Hope" features latest research insights from the Australian Community Survey by NCLS Research as well as reflections by Tearfund and stories from practitioners.
Announcing the 2026 National Church Life Survey
Australian churches are invited to take part in the eight nationwide survey of churchgoers
The 2026 National Church Life Survey will take place across Australian churches in late 2026, the same year as the National Census.
Hundreds of thousands of voices will contribute to the most comprehensive view of church life in the world, in the eighth nationwide survey of churchgoers – the 2026 NCLS.
Australian Church Pulse Check
A quick survey to improve Australian church estimates for recent years
We are taking the pulse of the nation with the Australian Church Pulse Check. In late 2025 a random selection of churches have been invited to complete the Church Pulse Check- a quick and easy survey to help track church attendance in recent years. What has happened since COVID-19?
Student Spiritual Life Survey
A survey to understand the spiritual beliefs, attitudes and practices of your students and the impact of your school
Understand the spiritual beliefs, attitudes and practices of your students and the impact of your school activities on their faith.
Recent Publications
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