What Bible Society Australia does

Bible Society Australia is a registered Australian non-profit charity (ABN 85 214 424 729), founded in Sydney in 1817 and headquartered in North Sydney. It operates as part of the United Bible Societies fellowship, a global network of Bible Societies active across 200 countries and territories. BSA's mission is to translate, publish, and distribute the Bible, with active translation programmes in Australian Indigenous languages (Pitjantjatjara, Gupapuyngu, Nyoongar, Kriol), Australian Sign Language (Auslan), and 700+ languages globally in partnership with other Bible Societies.

The organisation runs a portfolio of programmes including a Scripture Grants Program (capped at ~$2,000 per grant for chaplaincy, schools, ADF, prisons, hospitals, and Indigenous ministry), a Custom Bible Program for churches and schools ($24.99-$29.99 per unit, 250-unit MOQ), the Remote & Indigenous Ministry Support (RIMS) programme, an Auslan Bible Translation project, the English For Life ESL curriculum in partnership with Anglicare, and a Daily Bible Devotional platform. The BSA Group includes wholly-owned subsidiaries Acorn Press (publishing) and the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX); Koorong, previously a Group retail asset, had its leadership transitioned to Excelsia University College in March 2025. Headcount is in the 101-250 range, distributed across offices in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, and TAS.

Revenue is donation-led, drawing on tax-deductible and non-tax-deductible giving, regular giving programmes, EOFY appeals, bequests and estate gifts, product sales through shop.biblesociety.org.au, and Custom Bible bulk contracts. Distribution channels include the United Bible Societies network, direct church and chaplaincy relationships, the former Koorong retail channel (now under Excelsia stewardship), and an online shop. The organisation does not operate as a technology platform; no APIs, SDKs, or AI capabilities are disclosed in available sources.

Name

Bible Society Australia

Legal name

Bible Society Australia

Website

https://biblesociety.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1817

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bible Society Australia, founded in 1817 and headquartered in North Sydney, is a registered non-profit charity that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible in Australia and globally through the United Bible Societies network, serving churches, schools, Indigenous communities, the Deaf community, and chaplaincy institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Publishing and Bible Translation Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras) (MPAJAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB)

Keywords

• Bible translation services
• Scripture publishing
• Religious nonprofit services
• Bible distribution
• Christian publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from tax-deductible donations supporting literacy programs, Bible translation in Indigenous and Auslan languages, and scripture grants. Non-tax-deductible donations fund international Bible translation, publishing, and distribution.
2. Product Sales: Sale of Bibles and publications through the Koorong retail network and online store. Custom Bible program for churches and schools with bulk ordering.
3. Bequests and Estate Gifts: Legacy giving through wills and bequests, representing significant long-term funding for mission activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bible Society Australia translates, publishes, and distributes the Christian Bible, operating as a registered charitable organization. It provides subsidized and custom-printed Bibles to churches, schools, and chaplains, funds Indigenous and Auslan Bible translation projects, and runs literacy and engagement programs domestically and through the United Bible Societies global network.

Product overview

Bible Society Australia operates as a charitable Bible translation and distribution organization, offering a portfolio of products and services centered on its core mission of making the Bible accessible. The portfolio includes Bible Translation Services (Indigenous languages and Auslan), Bible Distribution (free scriptures to chaplains and ministries), Bible Engagement Programs (literacy and advocacy), and the Custom Bible Program for personalized bulk orders. Supporting products include the Scripture Grants Program (funding front-line ministries), Remote & Indigenous Ministry Support (RIMS), the Auslan Bible Translation project, English For Life (Bible-based ESL resources), Daily Bible Devotional plans, and Masterclass (youth events). Sub-brands include Acorn Press (publishing) and the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX), while Koorong serves as the retail distribution arm. The organization is structured as a unified mission organization with multiple branded offerings rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Acorn Press: Publishing arm of Bible Society Australia producing Christian literature
• Centre for Public Christianity
• Bible Society Australia Group
• Koorong
• Remote and Indigenous Ministry Support (RIMS)

Products and services

• Bible Translation Services Bible translation into the world's languages, including Australian Indigenous languages (Pitjantjatjara, Gupapuyngu, Nyoongar, Kriol) and Auslan (Australian Sign Language), supporting ongoing Bible mission work for Indigenous and Deaf communities.
• Custom Bible Program Bulk ordering program of customized Bibles for churches, schools, and organizations with personalized covers, branding, welcome messages, and additional content. Available in Traditional Hardback ($24.99 per unit) or Flexible Leatherette ($29.99 per unit) with a minimum order of 250 units and approximately 6-7 month delivery lead time.
• Affordable Bibles for Churches Subsidized Bible products including the Read This Bible, New Beginnings Bible, and New Beginnings New Testament, available at reduced cost for church planting, new believers, and discipleship programs.
• English For Life Bible-based English language teaching resources developed in partnership with Anglicare's Cross Cultural Services, offered at three levels (High Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate) for face-to-face and online delivery to migrants and refugees.
• Scripture Grants Program Funding program providing free scripture resources (up to $2,000 per grant) to front-line Bible ministries including chaplain and para-church organizations, Bibles in Schools, Disaster Recovery, Australian Defence Force, and Remote and Indigenous Ministry Support grants.
• Remote & Indigenous Ministry Support (RIMS) Publishing of Indigenous Bibles, recording of Indigenous Scripture into audio, development of culturally appropriate Scripture resources, translation support, and distribution through the Scripture Grants program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Auslan Bible Translation

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,018,246 scriptures shared globally in one financial year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Bible SocietiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBible Society Australia operates as part of the United Bible Societies global fellowship operating across 200 countries and territories. This partnership enables global Bible translation, distribution, and the sharing of resources and expertise across the worldwide Bible Society network.
• KoorongcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralia's largest Christian retailer, now led by Excelsia University College. Koorong stocks Bible Society Australia publications and serves as a key retail distribution channel for Bibles and Christian resources.
• UNESCOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in areas of literacy development alongside other collaborative initiatives supporting education and Bible-based literacy programs.
• Anglicare's Cross Cultural ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to produce English teaching resources combining English language education with biblical content for churches reaching out to culturally diverse neighbours.
• World Day of PrayerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting the Vanuatu: Bringing Hope and Healing to Women project, which began in 2021 to address domestic violence through Bible-based trauma healing.
• African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with AEE in Rwanda and Ethiopia for the Jesus. All About Life (JAAL) Easter campaign to engage churches, young people, and communities with the gospel message.
• Wycliffe Bible Translators AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting the Auslan Bible Project, which translates Scripture into Australian Sign Language for the Deaf community.
• Centre for Public ChristianityminorOthersPart of the Bible Society Australia Group, this organization engages public discourse on Christianity through research, media, and publications.
• Acorn PressminorOthersPart of the Bible Society Australia Group, a publishing imprint for Christian literature and resources.
• Bible Society of KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership supporting distribution of Bibles to marginalized school children in Kenya. Over 49,000 scriptures distributed since 2017 across 317 schools.
• Bible Society of the South PacificminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Bible Society partner for Vanuatu projects including trauma healing for women and Bible translation work in the South Pacific.
• Bible Society of JordanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner receiving support for trauma healing resources and Bible-based programs in Jordan for refugees and displaced populations.
• Bible Society of LebanonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing Bible-based drama presentations and storybook resources for children in Lebanese refugee camps.
• Nungalinya Bible CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous Bible College in Alice Springs providing Introduction to Bible Translation training for emerging Indigenous translators across five central desert language groups.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• YouVersion (Life.Church): Dominant digital Bible app with thousands of languages and free scripture access globally. A partial-overlap peer where digital scripture engagement is concerned, increasingly competing for the same user attention and donor mindshare.

Direct peers

• British and Foreign Bible Society (Bible Society UK): UK Bible Society operating since 1804, conducting Bible translation, publishing, and engagement programs globally. Closest comparable in mission, structure (registered charity), and UBS-network role to Bible Society Australia.
• Biblica: International Bible translation and publishing ministry (formerly International Bible Society) producing NIV and other translations. Comparable in core Bible translation publishing activities and global ministry partnerships.
• American Bible Society: US-based national Bible Society that performs Bible translation, publishing, and distribution for the American market through churches, schools, and digital channels. Directly comparable as a fellow United Bible Societies member executing the same mission model in a different geography.
• Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia: Australian affiliate of Wycliffe Global Alliance focused on Bible translation into minority and Indigenous languages. Directly comparable in Indigenous language translation work (including the Auslan Bible partnership) and donor-supported NGO model.

Broad incumbents

• Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian Publishing): Major commercial Christian publisher and distributor including the NIV translation. Broader incumbent in Christian publishing with overlapping Bible products but operating on a commercial rather than charity basis.
• Tyndale House Publishers: Major Christian book and Bible publisher with broad commercial publishing portfolio including the NLT translation. Compares as a larger commercial incumbent in the same Bible publishing category.

Regional players

• Canadian Bible Society: National Bible Society of Canada with similar translation, distribution, and church partnership activities. Comparable mission and non-profit structure but serving the Canadian market rather than Australia.

Others

• Anglican Board of Mission: Australian Anglican mission and aid agency, sharing the same faith-based, donation-supported, Australia-headquartered non-profit model. A thematically adjacent peer for cross-denominational partnership and fundraising benchmarking.
• Compassion Australia: Major Australian Christian child-sponsorship and humanitarian NGO. Comparable in donation-driven revenue model, Australian donor base, and faith-based program delivery, but focused on humanitarian aid rather than Bible translation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/biblesocietyoz
• Facebookfacebook.com/biblesocietyaus
• Instagraminstagram.com/biblesocietyaus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bible Society Australia