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!
Latest Research Findings
A strong majority of churchgoers support the ordination of women
A strong majority of attenders in the 2021 NCLS (76%) had no issue with the ordination of women. This was made up of 43% who indicated that they supported women’s ordination enthusiastically, 29% who didn’t see any problem with it, and a further 3% indicating that they supported it but not for their church
Women in senior leadership in their local church
Different faith traditions take varying approaches to women in leadership. How many women hold a senior leadership role (such as minster, pastor, priest) in local churches?
Womens participation in church life and leadership
There are more women than men who attend local churches. How do they participate in church life and leadership? We have analysed responses from current church attenders about their leadership and ministry roles and offer a comparison of the responses of women and men.
More Gen Z men find meaning in Christianity
The long-term research evidence is that women tend to be more religious than men. So, when it was reported in September 2024 in the NY Times that “In a First Among Christians, Young Men Are More Religious Than Young Women”, NCLS researchers used data from our annual Australian Community Survey to check if that trend exists in Australia.
Latest News and Features
NCLS Research is pleased to offer a range of survey tools for local churches
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.
All Australian churches are invited to take part in the eight nationwide survey of churchgoers – the 2026 NCLS.
Innovation in Church Life: Watch Now
Free webinar exploring new church plants, initiatives and gatherings around Australia
Watch our free webinar where we present our latest research findings on innovation in church life, as well as launch the results of our first 'New Churches Snapshot Report for 2024'. Sponsored by Baptist Financial Services and Exponential Australia.
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.
Church Life Survey
Anytime, any church can order a Church Life Survey!
You can discover valuable insights about your church through a Church Life Survey anytime.
It is simple to run, and in only 20 minutes, enables your church to assess your church health, discover and build on your strengths, and determine priorities and future directions.
Additional Resources