If you’re living and studying in Brisbane, finding community and a regular place of worship can make you feel much more at home.
Brisbane is a city of cultural and religious diversity, with Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing approximately 50% of inhabitants identified as Christian, Hindu, Buddhist or Muslim.
Finding your faith community while living abroad can be a great way to connect with likeminded people, and find support and connection outside of your place of study.
Christianity in Brisbane
Christianity is currently the largest religious community in Brisbane, made up of several denominations including Catholic, Anglican and Baptist.
Some important places of worship in central Brisbane include:
- St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 373 Ann Street, Brisbane
- St Stephen’s Cathedral, 249 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
- St Andrews Lutheran Church, 25 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane
Depending on where you live and what church you are part of, there are also many community-driven initiatives you can participate in such as:
Salvation Army Brisbane: A well-known Christian organisation focused on providing essential services for people in need. Volunteers can help in areas such as food distribution, homeless shelters and fundraising.
St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland: Known as “Vinnies” amongst locals, its mission is to support people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Volunteers can help with programs like food and clothing drives, home visitation programs, and charity shops.
Christ Community Church: A Christian community dedicated to sharing God’s grace and fostering connections in the local area. The church holds services at Toowong Academy every Sunday as well as other community events throughout the year.
Local churches also have community groups, functions and events, particularly around Easter and Christmas.
Islam in Brisbane
Islam is a rapidly growing religion in Brisbane thanks to migration and growing cultural diversity. Brisbane is also home to several Islamic schools like the Islamic College of Brisbane and the Australian International Islamic College.
Some important places of worship for the Muslim community include:
- Holland Park Mosque, 309 Nursery Road, Holland Park
- Kuraby Mosque, 1408 Beenleigh Road, Kuraby
There are also organisations and communities you can join while living in Brisbane such as:
Islamic Council of Queensland (ICQ): Represents Muslim communities in Brisbane and Queensland, coordinating educational programs, charity efforts, and outreach activities.
Muslim Women Australia: Works alongside many charities and service providers to distribute food and provide support to women and families.
Brisbane is also home to a wide variety of Halal restaurants and cafes, helping to cater to the growing Muslim population.
Read more: A Halal guide to Brisbane
Hinduism in Brisbane
There is also a strong Hindu presence in Brisbane, with significant Hindu temples, community centres and festivals.
Hindu temples in Brisbane include:
- Shree Laxminarayan Mandir, 46 Daymar Street, Burbank
- Gayatri Mandir, 178 Lyndhurst Road, Boondall
- Sri Selva Vinayakar Koyil, 915-4923 Mount Lindesay Highway, South MacLean
There are also various communities and organisations based in Brisbane that organise cultural celebrations, events and education:
Hindu Association of Queensland: Promotes awareness of the principles and practices of Hinduism, hosting various events and celebrations throughout the year.
Hindu Council of Australia (Brisbane): Represents Hindus in Australia and takes their issues to various levels of government. The organisation also runs hundreds of initiatives and projects aimed at helping society in times of natural crisis as well as addressing civil issues.
Buddhism in Brisbane
For international students seeking a Buddhist community in Brisbane, there are several places of worship, including:
- Buddhist Vihara of Queensland, 108 Eric Street, Goodna
- Fo Guang Shan Chung Tian Temple, 1034 Underwood Road, Priestdale
- Wat Thai Buddharam, 1-11 Paradise Road, Forestdale QLD 4118, Australia
Many temples in Brisbane offer classes, meditation sessions and other community-focused events. There are also several organisations in Brisbane such as:
Buddhist Council of Queensland: A not-for-profit organisation that has events, promotes interfaith dialogue and provides support for Buddhist temples and centres in Brisbane.
University of Queensland Buddhist Society: UQ BUDS is a non-sectarian Buddhist society at the University of Queensland. It’s open to anyone interested in Buddhism and hosts events on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Judaism in Brisbane
You’ll also find many Jewish communities, synagogues and places of worship in Brisbane, such as:
- The Brisbane Synagogue, 98 Margaret Street, Brisbane
- South Brisbane Hebrew Congregation (Givat Zion), 46 Bunya Street, Greenslopes
- Beit Or v’Shalom, 13 Koolatah Street, Carina
These locations host community events and cultural activities, too. Other Jewish organisations operating in Brisbane include:
Queensland Jewish Community Services (QJCS): Focuses on support to Jewish individuals and families in need, offering financial assistance, counselling and community programs.
Maccabi Sports Club: Part of the global maccabi sports movement, the club offers various sports and social events for Jewish youth and adults in Brisbane, fostering community connections through shared sporting interests.
Other faiths
For those practising other faiths in Brisbane, there are many smaller communities and significant places of worship including:
- Gurdwara Sahib Brisbane (Sikhism), 10-12 Mackie Road, Willawong
- Brisbane Baha’i Community, 26 Mayneview Street, Milton
