What do Australians believe about God?
NCLS Research surveys Australians regularly on their spirituality, beliefs and practices, to track trends, via the Australian Community Survey (ACS).
Since the pandemic began, and now after it, what changes, if any, have Australians expressed about the existence of God or a higher power? What do Australians believe in now?
Results from the ACS in May 2024 show interestingly, that there has been little change in patterns of belief about God between 2019 and 2024.
A majority of Australians believe in a God, spirit, or life force
According to our 2024 Australian Community Survey, nearly six in 10 Australians say they believe in God or a higher power (58%). One in five say they don't know (21%) and one in five say they do not believe (21%).
Around a quarter believe in a personal God
Survey respondents were asked to select the statement that comes closest to their beliefs about God. Of those who affirm the existence of something higher, 26% say 'there is a personal God' while 32% say 'there is some sort of spirit or life force'. These percentages have remained fairly stable since 2019.
For churchgoers who seek to 'love their neighbour' and build relationships with people in the wider community, it is helpful to understand the perspectives and views of Australians around them. In the changing social and cultural context of modern day ministry, we encourage churches to stay informed with our research insights. More insights on Australian's views of Jesus are available in our article: How do Australians view Jesus?
Related information
About the Australian Community Survey
