The Australian Christian Freedom Index is the first systematic, evidence-based audit of the state of Christian freedom in Australia. Published annually, the ACFI tracks legislative, institutional, social, and cultural pressures on Christian belief and expression across all eight states and territories and the Commonwealth.
Australia maintains comparatively high levels of religious freedom by global standards. But the inaugural 2025 report documents an accelerating pattern of marginalisation, discrimination and regulatory pressure — real, measurable, and in many cases legally consequential. The trajectory is clear and warrants serious attention.
The ACFI is addressed to sympathetic and sceptical readers alike. It draws on documented case records, a comprehensive audit of legislation across nine jurisdictions, the internationally recognised Brobbel persecution scale, and a survey of 10,808 Australians.
ACFI Fast Facts
Based on 10,808 Australian Christians surveyed, the findings are stark:
- 92% said it is riskier to publicly affirm Christian beliefs than five years ago.
- 73% felt pressured to keep their Christian beliefs private.
- 42% experienced hostility, threats, or harassment for expressing a Christian worldview.
- 25% were denied opportunities in work, volunteering, or leadership because of their beliefs.
- 74 laws have been enacted over the past 25 years that have narrowed Christian freedom in Australia – with nearly half of those laws passed in just the last 5 years.
ACFI Launch in Parliament House
The ACFI officially launched in Parliament House, Canberra, on Thursday 28 May.
The video recording of the ACFI Launch is now available. The ACFI co-authors’ short presentations are vital viewing, as are the responses from parliamentarians representing their respective parties — watch and see the openness for yourself.
Amazing Response from the ACFI Launch
The Canberra Declaration team — along with the ACFI partner organisations — were amazed at the reception to the 2025 ACFI Report’s sobering findings as well as its recommendations.
On the launch day alone, over 100 media outlets — print, radio, television, and online — with a combined reach of more than 8 million Australians covered the ACFI. This is nothing short of extraordinary.
That night, Andrew Bolt, one of Australia’s most prominent opinion commentators, interviewed Michelle Pearse, CEO of the Australian Christian Lobby (be sure to watch the interview below).
Bolt’s conclusion about the ACFI Report’s concerning findings?
“For a start, the Christian leaders of Australia should stand up. Every Christian should profess their faith. And I say that as an agnostic.”
Christianity Gave Rise to Rights and Freedoms
It’s our Christian heritage with its emphasis on individual rights, responsibility and accountability that has produced religious freedom. Simply ask those who flee other parts of the world and come to a country such as Australia — freedom is one of Australia’s most appealing values.
It’s Christianity that has given rise to the freedoms and rights so many Australians take for granted. Undermining the right of Christians to practice their faith in private and public will have the inevitable effect of undermining the freedoms and rights that Christianity gave the modern world in the first place. Taking away the rights of Christians is detrimental to everyone.
Religious freedom is a bedrock of a free and fair society. Individuals and communities should be allowed to live out their faith without fear of hostility or persecution. Article 18 in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
Paul wrote to Timothy that we should pray for those in authority, that “we may lead a quiet and peaceful life” (1 Timothy 2:1–2). If the gospel is able to freely go out, it creates greater opportunity for everyone to hear about the free gift of eternal life that is available to all — and this is good and very pleasing to God (1 Timothy 2:3–4).
Defend Christian/Religious Freedom
It’s time to make a stand for Christian freedom – and indeed the freedom of all.
We strongly encourage you to obtain your own copy of the ACFI Report here — whether a physical copy ($34 plus postage) or the free digital version — and share copies with Christian and political leaders in your sphere of influence. The common comment we receive is how professional, well-presented and compelling the report is. We agree!
To every donor who gives $50 or more during June, the Canberra Declaration will send you a copy of the ACFI Report — as our thanks, and as a tool to place in the hands of Christian and parliamentary leaders (state and federal) in your community.
To donate, click the orange button below.
Important: Please include “ACFI” in the comment box and provide your postal address — we can’t send the report without it. If donating by direct deposit, email us your details here.
As ACFI co-author and former federal MP George Christensen has said, the ACFI 2025 report “can’t be a document that sits on the shelf. It’s ammunition. We need people out there firing that ammunition so that this becomes a real thing.”
If gifting a copy of the ACFI Report to your local federal MP, click click the green button below to find their postal address. Then type in your postcode in the search box and click search. Ensure you include a personal letter to them with the report and explain why it is important to you.
