Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba
The Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba is a non-profit Catholic authority serving South West Queensland across 487,456 km² with 42+ parishes, delivering sacramental services, Catholic education, social services via CatholicCare, and heritage cathedral stewardship under Bishop Ken Howell.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersToowoomba, Australia
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba does
The Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba is a non-profit Catholic religious organisation that serves as the canonical Catholic authority across South West Queensland, Australia. Established as a diocese in September 1929 with the consecration of its first Bishop, James Byrne, it operates over an area of 487,456 km² covering the western Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and south west Queensland regions. Its operational footprint spans more than 50 parishes and churches across 42+ towns, with St Patrick's Cathedral in Toowoomba serving as the mother church and a heritage-listed site under the Register of the National Estate since March 1986.
The Diocese delivers a portfolio of integrated ministry and community services rather than commercial products. Core offerings include parish-based sacramental and pastoral services, the Catholic Schools Office managing Catholic education across the region, CatholicCare Social Services (counselling, family support, mental health, refugee and migrant support, NDIS and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services), Tribunal services under Canon Law, Vocations ministry, the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, safeguarding programmes for children and vulnerable adults, and 24/7 hospital and aged care chaplaincy at Darling Downs Health, St Vincent's Private Hospital and St Vincent's Care Services. Digital distribution is limited to a content website, weekly eNews, the quarterly Horizons magazine, and live-stream Masses on a dedicated YouTube channel. There is no proprietary technology stack; the Diocese operates standard church management and communications platforms.
The Diocese is funded primarily through voluntary donations, planned giving, parish collections, and bequests, supplemented by the Diocesan Development Fund (an investment vehicle for supporters that is not APRA-supervised and does not hold an AFS licence), revenue from CatholicCare social services, and Catholic Schools Office funding. It is governed under Canon Law with the Bishop as the principal leader; the current Bishop is the Most Reverend Ken Howell DD SLL. There is no corporate parent, no external shareholders, and no commercial pricing model. Recent strategic activity is centred on the multi-year St Patrick's Cathedral Restoration Project, a 2026 Synod convocation, and ongoing safeguarding and pastoral planning initiatives.
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba
- Legal name
- Diocese of Toowoomba
- Website
- https://twb.catholic.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba is a non-profit Catholic authority serving South West Queensland across 487,456 km² with 42+ parishes, delivering sacramental services, Catholic education, social services via CatholicCare, and heritage cathedral stewardship under Bishop Ken Howell.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious Services
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (81311), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)
Keywords
Where Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toowoomba
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices5 records
Markets served
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Tithes: The Diocese operates primarily through voluntary donations from parishioners and the wider community. This includes direct donations, planned giving, and parish collections at Mass.
- Diocesan Development Fund: A development fund that accepts investments from supporters to fund charitable, religious and educational works of the Diocese. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by APRA and does not hold an AFS licence.
- Diocesan Schools Office: The Diocese operates a Catholic Schools Office that manages schools across the region, providing education services.
- CatholicCare Social Services: CatholicCare delivers social services including counselling, family support, mental health services, and refugee/migrant support programs, operated as a ministry of the Diocese.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba is the Catholic ecclesiastical authority serving South West Queensland, delivering spiritual services (Mass, sacraments, pastoral care) through more than 42 parishes and St Patrick's Cathedral in Toowoomba. It also operates Catholic education through its Catholic Schools Office, social welfare services through CatholicCare (counselling, family support, mental health, refugee/migrant support), a Diocesan Development Fund for charitable works, Tribunal services under Canon Law, and ongoing heritage restoration of St Patrick's Cathedral.
Product overview
The Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba operates as a religious and community services organization rather than a technology company. The diocese offers a portfolio of interconnected services including parish and church networks across South West Queensland, Catholic education management, social services (CatholicCare), Tribunal services under Canon Law, Vocations ministry, Liturgical Commission support, Diocesan Finance Office, comprehensive safeguarding policies, pastoral care and chaplaincy in healthcare settings, and the Bishop's Office. Major initiatives include the St Patrick's Cathedral Restoration Project and the Horizons quarterly magazine publication. Digital services include live streaming of Masses via YouTube. The diocese spans 487,456 km2 covering the western Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba, Darling Downs and south west Queensland regions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Horizons Magazine: Quarterly magazine published by the Diocese, full colour publication available for free across the Diocese featuring stories of events and projects from local parishes
- CatholicCare Social Services
Products and services
- Parishes and Churches Network Network of more than 50 parishes and churches across South West Queensland, covering 487,456 km² including the western Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and south west regions of Queensland. Offers Mass times, sacraments, and pastoral services for Catholic faithful and community members.
- Catholic Schools Office Manages Catholic education across the Diocese, operating schools and educational institutions under the Diocese's governance via the Schools Office website.
- CatholicCare Social Services Offers counselling, family support, mental health, refugee and migrant support, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services, and NDIS services across the Diocese; available to individuals and families in need throughout South West Queensland.
- Tribunal Services Canon Law Tribunal handling marital nullity cases and ensuring the rights of all the faithful are respected; operates as part of the Regional Tribunal of Queensland system.
- Vocations Ministry Supports individuals considering priesthood or religious life through resources, prayer, and guidance, operating from the Stanthorpe Parish.
- Diocesan Liturgical Commission Promotes healthy liturgical life within the Diocese by offering workshops, sacramental guidelines, and resources for parish liturgy committees.
- Diocesan Finance Office Provides accounting, financial management, payroll services, Diocesan Development Fund management, property management, and HR services for the Diocese.
- Safeguarding Policy and Resources Comprehensive safeguarding framework implementing a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, with policies, training, and procedures for protecting children, young people and adults at risk within parishes and diocesan agencies.
- Pastoral Care and Hospital/Aged Care Chaplaincy Provides 24/7 pastoral care services in hospitals and aged care facilities across the Diocese including Darling Downs Health (Toowoomba Hospital), St Vincent's Hospital, and St Vincent's Care Services.
- St Patrick's Cathedral Restoration Project Major heritage restoration initiative for St Patrick's Cathedral including window renewal, exterior repairs, roof restoration, and heritage preservation; supported by tax-deductible donations through National Trust Queensland and the Play for Purpose charity raffle.
- Horizons Magazine Quarterly full-colour Diocesan magazine distributed free across parishes, featuring stories of parish events, projects, and information about ministry and diocesan services.
- Live Stream Masses Live streaming of Mass services from St Patrick's Cathedral via the Diocese's YouTube channel (UCkrd7ITZ5vnWC7AXgtBWiiQ), with archived video content available for remote and homebound participants.
- Diocesan Development Fund Investment fund accepting investments from supporters to fund charitable, religious and educational works of the Diocese, providing disclosure statements and financial reports (not prudentially supervised by APRA and does not hold an AFS licence).
Companies that use Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Trust QueenslandcoreNational Trust Queensland partners with the Diocese to enable tax-deductible donations for the St Patrick's Cathedral restoration project. Donors can contribute through the National Trust's giving platform.
- Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools OfficecoreThe Catholic Schools Office operates as a related entity managing Catholic schools within the Diocese. Listed as a local Catholic agency on the Diocese website.
- St Vincent's Care ServicescoreSt Vincent's Care Services operates residential aged care facilities (Lourdes) in Toowoomba. The Diocese provides pastoral care services in partnership with St Vincent's at their facilities.
- St Vincent de PaulminorSt Vincent de Paul is referenced as a support organization offering assistance to those experiencing hardship. Listed in the Diocese's FAQ & Support Organizations page.
- Australian Catholic Bishops ConferencecoreThe Diocese is part of the national Catholic Church in Australia governed by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. The ACBC provides national coordination and statements.
- The VaticancoreThe Diocese operates under the authority of the Vatican and Pope as part of the global Catholic Church. Links to Vatican website and official Vatican News Network.
- Play for PurposeminorPlay for Purpose charity raffle platform partnered with the Diocese for the Cathedral restoration fundraiser. $5 from every ticket sold goes directly to the restoration project.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Catholic Diocese of Cairns: Catholic diocese serving Far North Queensland; comparable diocesan structure with parishes, schools, and social services across a geographically dispersed region.
- Catholic Diocese of Townsville: Catholic diocese operating across northern Queensland; parallels Toowoomba in size, regional footprint, and Diocesan Schools Office + CatholicCare agency model.
- Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton: Central Queensland Catholic diocese covering a similarly vast regional and rural footprint; closely comparable organisational model (parishes, schools, CatholicCare-style agencies) and regional Queensland operating context.
- Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane: Adjacent Catholic archdiocese covering greater Brisbane and south-east Queensland; directly comparable as an Australian Catholic diocesan-level ecclesiastical governance body with parishes, schools, and social services.
- CatholicCare Queensland (Centacare): Queensland-level Catholic social services agency equivalent to Toowoomba's CatholicCare subsidiary; directly comparable mission-aligned welfare service provider delivering counselling, refugee support, and family services.
Regional players
- Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod: Another Christian denomination with regional Queensland coverage, schools, and community services; broadly comparable as a competing provider of worship, pastoral care, and welfare services.
- Anglican Diocese of Brisbane: Regional Anglican counterpart covering south-east Queensland; comparable as another Christian denomination operating a diocesan structure of parishes, schools, and welfare agencies in the same general region.
Broad incumbents
- Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney: Larger Australian Catholic archdiocese with comparable Catholic Schools, CatholicCare (Sydney), and extensive parish network - a broader incumbent whose operating model informs the Toowoomba Diocese.
- Catholic Diocese of Parramatta: Western Sydney Catholic diocese operating schools, parishes, and social services agencies - direct analogue in terms of the schools + welfare + parishes portfolio composition.
- Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne: Major Australian Catholic archdiocese with parallel diocesan agencies (Catholic Education Melbourne, CatholicCare) and a scale-up analogue for Toowoomba's schools and welfare operations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba social profiles
Digital presenceCatholic Diocese of Toowoomba financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba
What does Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba do?
The Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba is the Catholic ecclesiastical authority serving South West Queensland, delivering spiritual services (Mass, sacraments, pastoral care) through more than 42 parishes and St Patrick's Cathedral in Toowoomba. It also operates Catholic education through its Catholic Schools Office, social welfare services through CatholicCare (counselling, family support, mental health, refugee/migrant support), a Diocesan Development Fund for charitable works, Tribunal services under Canon Law, and ongoing heritage restoration of St Patrick's Cathedral.
Is Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba a public or private company?
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba founded?
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba was founded in 1929. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba based?
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba is headquartered in Toowoomba, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Tithes are the primary driver. The others are diocesan Development Fund, diocesan Schools Office and catholicCare Social Services.
Who are Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Catholic Diocese of Cairns, Catholic Diocese of Townsville, Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton, Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane and CatholicCare Queensland (Centacare). Regional players are Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod and Anglican Diocese of Brisbane. Broad incumbents are Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, Catholic Diocese of Parramatta and Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.
Does Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba have an API?
No public API is recorded for Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba.
What industry is Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba in?
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba's product category is Religious Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAB, Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences), with a secondary code of BPAGAJAH, Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions). Its NAICS code is 81311.