September 4 update - Get ready for your surveys

The latest updates on Child Survey consent forms, online survey activation and paper survey delivery.

Adobestock 1036978108 Lo Res
Thank you for joining us in the 2026 National Church Life Survey! 
This week, we give you the latest updates on Child Survey consent forms, online survey activation and paper survey delivery.  

 

 

4 September, 2026

Dear participating church,

GET READY! We're thrilled to say that the 2026 National Church Life Survey is underway. Over 200,000 surveys have been ordered from around 2000 churches in 22+ denominations!

It's time to get your church ready. Tell your churchgoers about your survey plans. Make sure your church's survey coordinator is familiar with the Guide. Circulate Consent sheets to parents and carers if you intend to include children.

  • Do you need to promote the survey with your churchgoers? You'll find multimedia resources here to help including social media tiles, photos and more.
  • Has your survey coordinator seen the Guide? You can find a sample Guide for Survey Coordinators online to help run the surveys at your church.
  • Ethics update re consent for Child Survey. We have an important ethics update for you regarding the Child Survey.
    - 15 year old attenders are now required to complete the Child Survey (not the Adult Attender Survey as previously).
    - Signed consent forms are now required, so take this opportunity to circulate Information and Consent Forms to parents and carers.  
  • Have you ordered Child Surveys? It's not too late to order or add more. 15 year old attenders are now required to complete the Child Survey, not the Adult Attender Survey as previously, so if you need to order more Child surveys (paper or online), contact our office - surveys@ncls.org.au or 02 9139 2525.

 

ONLINE SURVEYS AVAILABLE FIRST:

You will be able to invite attenders to complete the survey online from early September on. Look out for an email from us which will confirm your online Attender Surveys are activated. This email will include the correct Church Code for each site or location, which your attenders will need to start their responses.

PAPER SURVEYS DELAYED:

We apologise for unavoidable delays in the delivery of Survey Kits containing your paper surveys. As we cannot guarantee your church will have paper surveys by mid September, we ask you choose a later survey date (such as October, or if necessary, November). Thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

Read on for helpful tips to make the survey a positive inclusive process at your church.

 

 

ETHICS UPDATE RE CHILD SURVEY

Protecting and Listening: Ethical Research in the 2026 NCLS
How can your church hear the voices of every generation while ensuring participants are cared for and protected? The 2026 National Church Life Survey reflects NCLS Research’s commitment to the highest ethical standards, with approval from the Charles Sturt University Human Research Ethics Committee. This year's survey includes important changes for children and young people. The Child Survey now covers ages 8 to 15 year olds. Further, written parental consent is required, before children receive surveys to complete. Those aged 16 and 17 years-old can participate in the Attender Survey. These changes ensure young people's voices are heard responsibly, helping church leaders make informed decisions for the future. Read more

 

TO DO

 

 

  • Use promotional media to tell your churchgoers about the survey. Remind them of the date you will conduct the Attender Survey in September or October.
  • Distribute Consent Forms to parents and carers, if you are conducting the Child Survey at your church. Collect signed consent forms before your chosen survey day.

 

 

TIPS AND RESOURCES   

 

 

 

Want more details on each of the surveys you will receive? Click below to get ready! Or, for an overview of surveys, go to survey options.

 

 

From July on, all participating are receiving regular email updates with tips, encouragements and resources for the surveys.

Need to see all the updates? You can find them all in one place online. Click here

We are glad your church is joining in the 2026 NCLS! Our hope and prayer is that this reflective experience provides an effective way to strengthen your own church's health, as well as to shape future ministry in Australia. Watch out for our next update!

Yours faithfully,
Prof Ruth Powell

Executive Director, NCLS Research on behalf of the Board and team.