I believe it’s vital we continue with the 2026 survey, to listen to the voices of our congregations, understand where we are growing, and discern where we are being called to change.
Rev Mark Wilson, National Ministries Director, Australian Baptist Ministries
The National Church Life Survey is a must have tool for anyone serious about church life and vitality.
Rev Dr Cameron Eccleston, Mission Specialist, Uniting Church in Australia
The NCLS highlights the key elements driving a thriving church community. It is an invaluable tool for future mission planning.
Susan King, Head of Advocacy an Research, Anglicare
After working with churches and church leaders for 13 years now, I can see the enormous value of the Church Life Survey to the individual and national church.
Peter Mayrick, Executive Director, Partners in Ministry
The NCLS is an important tool for church communities to use. It provides an insight into the particular features relevant to each congregation.
Fr Brian Lucas, National Director, Catholic Mission - Australia
The 2026 survey will give us a clear and honest picture of church life. The insights it offers are essential for shaping a healthy and mission-focused future for the church.
Rev Mark Wilson, National Ministries Director, Australian Baptist Ministries
I believe the NCLS is a gift to the church leader and provides them with a cost effective, simple yet deep measure of church health.
Peter Mayrick, Executive Director, Partners in Ministry
The rigour and excellence of this research enables churches to identify levers for growth, change and outreach into their communities.
Susan King, Head of Advocacy and Research, Anglicare
The NCLS provides information on trends within the social context. It gives important insights into the faith experience and attitudes of church attenders in Australia.
Fr Brian Lucas, National Director, Catholic Mission - Australia
The NCLS provides a unique opportunity for ministers and denominational leaders to see how well their congregations are flourishing, and to examine trends over decades.
Rev Dr Cameron Eccleston, Mission Specialist, Uniting Church in Australia
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.
All Australian churches are invited to take part in the eight nationwide survey of churchgoers – the 2026 NCLS.
The LIFE of the Australian Church
As churches respond to social changes, it is more important than ever to have an informed approach to modern day ministry. For 35 years, the National Church Life Survey has tracked the LIFE of the Australian Church, the lives and hopes of people who attend churches all around the country.
‘Life to the full’ is the philosophy behind the survey, aiming to encouraging fullness of vitality in churches, leaders and communities.
The Australia-wide survey, conducted by NCLS Research, expects thousands of churches to again take part, across more than 20 denominations. The NCLS has been held every five years since 1991. In 2026, it will reach 35 years of research into church and community life, retaining its place as the largest, longest running survey of its type in the world.
“I believe it’s vital we continue with the 2026 survey, to listen to the voices of our congregations, understand where we are growing, and discern where we are being called to change.” says Rev Mark Wilson, National Ministries Director, Australian Baptist Ministries. “The 2026 survey will give us a clear and honest picture of church life. The insights it offers are essential for shaping a healthy and mission-focused future for the church.”
The NCLS encourages active participation in a positive, inclusive review process, to help churches discern their directions and establish a life-giving vision for the future.
“The NCLS is an important tool for church communities to use. It provides an insight into the particular features relevant to each congregation.” explains Fr Brian Lucas, National Director, Catholic Mission – Australia. “It gives important insights into the faith experience and attitudes of church attenders in Australia.”
“The NCLS highlights the key elements driving a thriving church community. It is an invaluable tool for future mission planning.” says Ms Susan King, Head of Advocacy and Research, Anglicare.
Life in Churches:
The NCLS enables churches to review their health and vitality, provides an evidence base to make wise decisions and inspire new directions for the future.
Life in Leadership:
The NCLS examines the practices of church leaders and provides insights into how they can be effective and sustainable; developing a culture of empowering leadership.
Life in Communities:
The NCLS recognises the life and times of Australians, how they approach matters of faith; and provides tools so churches and communities can better connect.
The 2026 NCLS survey project
The project incorporates around:
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20+ denominations
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Nine languages
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Thousands of local churches
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Tens of thousands of local leaders in active church ministry
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Hundreds of thousands of church attenders
Previous National Church Life Surveys have been held in 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021. The 2026 NCLS heralds the 35 year anniversary of the survey.
National Director of NCLS Research, Dr Ruth Powell, is hoping to build on previous strengths of the National Church Life Survey, as well as introduce some innovations.
"We will ask questions to help map the Australian church landscape, and as previously, will ask local churches questions to help them reflect on their own health and vitality," said Ruth. "We hope to meet the needs of many parts of the church by gathering information that is helpful for their mission objectives."
A proposal for the 2026 NCLS for Regional Coordinators and Denominational Leaders will be distributed in coming months.
Stay in touch via our eNews or social media for more information.