NCLS Research is a world leader in research focused on connecting churches and their communities. Decades of rigorous and thoughtful research has examined wellbeing, spirituality and church health. Our vision is for thriving Christian communities understanding their role and mission within a changing society.
Local Churches:
A new suite of survey tools available at any time
Schools:
The Student Spiritual Life Survey is available now and for 2025!
Latest Research Findings
Cost of living top stressor for Australians
What causes Australians stress? In previous years COVID-19, fires and floods spiked the stress charts, now 'cost of living' is a major stressor. In the 2024 Australian Community Survey, we asked Australians how stressed they have felt in the past month and delved deeper into what was causing their stress. The highest stressors? Cost of living was the top response reported by six in ten Australians, followed by health concerns and family relationships.
Half of Australians report high stress
Resilience and wellbeing is one of the themes of the Australian Community Survey (ACS). High stress levels can be a source of negative wellbeing. In the 2024 ACS, we asked Australians how stressed they have felt in the past month and what they felt was causing their stress. Results reveal that 46% - nearly half of Australians- scored themselves a 7 or above out of 10, an increase from 40% in 2022.
Six in ten Australians say they're happy
Happiness is one aspect of personal wellbeing. Results from the 2024 Australian Community Survey show that six in ten Australians, 61%, rated themselves as happy or very happy, over the last year. Around a quarter of respondents said they were neither happy nor unhappy.
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 launch a new range of survey tools for local churches
Innovation in Church Life: Watch Now
Free webinar exploring new church plants, initiatives and gatherings around Australia
We're delighted to invite you to view a free webinar where we launch the results of our first 'New Churches Snapshot Report for 2024', as well as present our latest research findings on innovation in church life. Sponsored by Baptist Financial Services and Exponential Australia.
Do you know about a church plant or new gathering?
Share with others in the New Churches Project!
Can you contribute to the New Churches Project which aims to support the Australian Church to invest in new churches or gatherings?
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. Developed by NCLS Research, this survey is based on more than 30 years of experience in world-class research into faith, church life and spirituality.
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