Your local church counts!
Please add your local church to a national snapshot of all churches and church leaders across Australia.
With the extraordinary events of the past few years, national, regional and local church leaders are very keen to have an up-to-date snapshot of the landscape of local church life. These National Church Surveys aim to provide a national snapshot of local churches for denomination and movements.
The National Church Census is to be completed by one person, such as an administrator or senior leader.
The National Church Leader Survey is for senior local church leaders or those in a significant position of ministry.
What is happening for local churches at this time? How can they be supported?
You can help us to answer these questions for your denomination, movement and for the Australian Church as a whole. Results will help local and national church leaders to understand, evaluate and act now for the church of tomorrow.
About the National Church Surveys
These National Church Surveys aim to map the whole Church in Australia and is being held as a complimentary survey, following the 2021 National Church Life Survey (2021 NCLS).
If your church did not participate in the 2021 NCLS, we invite you to represent your local church’s unique context and perspective in a national project that covers all Christian churches.
There are two short surveys to complete:
- The National Church Census aims to count churches and track church activities. It is to be completed by a church administrator.
- The National Church Leader Survey explores leader wellbeing and effectiveness. It is an optional and confidential survey for leaders to reflect on leadership development and personal wellbeing.
You will need your NCLS Church Code to start
Your Church Code is included on the letter mailed to your church. Can’t find it? Contact the NCLS Research office: email surveys@ncls.org.au or phone 02 9139 2525.

National Church Census
Ask one person to complete for your church.
National, state and diocesan church leaders seek up-to-date information about all churches. Would you please arrange for this short Church Census to be completed by a church administrator or leader with knowledge of the church’s life and activities?
- Complete Online by going to: nationalchurchcensus.ncls.org.au
or
- Complete the Paper Form mailed to your church and return in the Reply Paid envelope.

National Church Leader Survey
Ask people in pastoral/ ministry leadership to complete.
The NCLS Leader Survey is for leaders to reflect on leadership development and personal wellbeing. It is optional and confidential. The purpose of this survey is to support the development of effective and sustainable leadership in Christian ministry. Leader Surveys are for people in ministry/pastoral leadership roles e.g. senior pastor or anyone in a significant position of ministry (staff or non staff).
- Complete Online by going to: nationalleadersurvey.ncls.org.au
or
- Complete the Paper Form mailed to your church and return in the Reply Paid envelope.
If you have further questions, contact our office: surveys@ncls.org.au or phone 02 9139 2525. This unique national venture is only possible when churches, like you, choose to take part.