Australian Christian Freedom Index 2025

Description

Know What’s at Stake

Australia is not a persecuted nation—but it is a rapidly changing one. Laws are narrowing. Institutions are capitulating. Christians are losing jobs, facing prosecution, and silencing themselves. This inaugural report documents it all.

The Australian Christian Freedom Index 2025 is the first comprehensive audit of Christian freedom across all eight states and territories and the Commonwealth. Drawing on survey responses from 10,808 Australians, over 40 documented cases spanning the last decade, and a systematic analysis of legislation passed over the past 25 years, the ACFI 2025 gives Australian Christians—and those who represent them in government—the facts they need to engage with confidence and clarity.

Co-Authors: Kurt Mahlburg (Lead Author), Michelle Pearse, Augusto Zimmermann, Peter Downie, Gabriël Moens AM, George Christensen, Damian Wyld, Kym Farnik, John Steenhof, Samuel Hartwich, Warwick Marsh.

WHAT CHRISTIAN LEADERS ARE SAYING

The importance of the free exercise of religion to Australia’s social fabric has historically been uncontroversial. People of all faiths and none once recognised the contribution of Christianity to Australia’s laws and customs, and of religious believers to Australian society more generally, and were content to let people of faith practice their beliefs without interference from state or society. I congratulate the authors of the Australian Christian Freedom Index for bringing to light recent attempts to minimise the role of faith in everyday life and exclude it altogether from the public square.
—Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney

The inaugural Australian Christian Freedom Index deserves a wide readership, especially among parliamentarians and religious leaders. Despite its title, it is not sectarian, but carefully analyses the erosion of freedoms in our country over forty years or more. Like the frog in the pot, most Australians are not aware of the diminution of religious freedom, but this careful and comprehensive analysis provides ample evidence that we must speak up against this demise in our country, “humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God”, which our Constitution implores us to do.
—The Rt Rev Dr Glenn N Davies, Former Archbishop of Sydney, Anglican Church

This study complements a growing body of research examining discrimination and vilification directed at Jewish, Muslim, and other religious minority communities in Australia… By documenting the experiences of Christians in a systematic and evidence‑based manner, this report ensures that their experiences are neither overlooked nor treated as exceptional, but are situated appropriately within a shared framework of equal dignity, freedom of conscience, and mutual respect that underpins Australia’s constitutional order.
—Professor Nicholas Aroney, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Queensland

Australian Christian Churches endorses the Australian Christian Freedom Index. The Index is a clear, articulate and much needed accurate presentation of where freedom of religion is positioned in Australian society.
—Mark Llewellyn Edwards OAM, Australian Christian Churches Representative for Religious Freedom

Australia is a country blessed with many freedoms and opportunities. However, now we are experiencing a winding back of many of the freedoms that we have enjoyed. I commend those involved in assembling the Australian Christian Freedom Index as an articulation of the threats to freedom we now face. It is a well-researched and superbly crafted document. While recommending it to Christian leaders and everyday believers, in particular I commend the Index to those in political leadership that they may work to ensure that religious freedom is protected in our nation.
—Most Rev Julian Porteous, Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Hobart

Religious discrimination as experienced by believers in Australia needs more research, and this study will play an important part of that needed work. Like every survey it has limitations, but it is an important document reporting the experience of many believers in Australia in 2026, and should be read carefully by lawmakers and everyone interested in supporting the important human right of religious freedom.
—Associate Professor Neil Foster, Associate Professor of Law, Commentator

The Australian Christian Freedom Index is most welcome. The most fundamental human right is the right to life, followed closely by the right to religious freedom. That is to say, every Australian has the right to search for the meaning of life, and once they have discovered it, to adhere to it in and through community life. And yet, as this Index manifests with great clarity, the right to religious freedom is being plundered in Australia. This Index lays the ground for some rearguard action.
—Most Rev Anthony Percy, Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney

The Australian Christian Freedom Index is a superbly researched and well written report outlining systemic and ongoing restrictions on freedom of speech for Christian people and institutions in Australia. Existing and emerging persecution of the Christian faith in Australia impacts the real lives of ordinary Australians. The sad outcome is the curtailing of the efforts of real people expressing their faith through serving their communities where secular resourcing cannot reach and secular comfort cannot touch… This document is a valuable contribution to the debate over religious freedoms and free speech in Australia and should be read and understood by all Christians, politicians and judiciary in Australia.
—Pastor Justine Simms, National Leader, Full Gospel Australia