top of page

Cults Operating in Australia

Cults operate around the world, and Australia is no exception. Some estimates suggest there are approximately 3000 groups of varying size and ideologies operating on our shores. The list below presents a snapshot of some of these that have appeared in the media and are generally recognised as a cult.

 

Assessments provided here are conducted using Renée's Cult Ranking system and reflect her personal opinions, which are based on online sources and personal testimonies. Renée acknowledges that groups can change over time, for better or worse, and that individual experiences within any given group can vary. Renée is open to respectful discussions and encourages diverse perspectives to foster a better understanding of matters raised.

Established in Dublin, Ireland. Current locations include: Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, South Africa, India, Ireland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark.

Brethren

Also known as the Exclusive Brethren, Taylor-Hales Brethren, Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC), Plymouth Brethren, Assemblies of Brethren, or The Brethren

RCR

9

Established in America. Current countries involved include Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and New Zealand

Sovereign Citizens

Also known as Sovereign Citizens Movement, Freemen on the Land, State Citizens, or Constitutionalists

RCR

9

Established in Oakden, South Australia, Australia. Group later moved to Fiji.

Agape Ministries

Also known as House of God

RCR

10

Established in Springvale, Victoria, Australia

Al-Furqan

Also known as Al-Furqan Islamic Center, Al-Furqan Mosque, Al-Furqan Foundation, or Al-Furqan Association

RCR

10

Established in Peshawar, Pakistan. Are considered a potential threat to Australia. Have been active in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Algeria, and Egypt.

Al-Qa’ida

Also known as Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaida, Al-Qa'eda, Al-Qaida Network, The Base, Qaedat al-Jihad, and Qaeda

RCR

10

Established in Perth, Western Australia, where it was locally active.

Australian Nationalist Movement

Also known as ANM

RCR

10

Established in Samford Valley, Queensland, Australia

Brisbane Christian Fellowship (BCF)

Sister churches include Melbourne Christian Fellowship, Adelaide Christian Fellowship, Sydney Christian Fellowship and several others. (May be linked to Brethren.)

RCR

8

Established in California, USA. Currently an online community with networks in 75 countries across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North & South America.

Children of God

Also known as The Family International, Teens for Christ, The Children of God (COG), The Family of Love, or The Family.

RCR

10

Established in Sydney, Australia

Church of Christ

-

RCR

8

Founded in Sale, Victoria, Australia

City Builders Church (Sale, Victoria)

Also known as City Builders, City Builders Network, or City Builders Ministries

RCR

7

Established in America, has contacts in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Poland, Russia and Switzerland.

Creativity Movement

Also known as World Church of the Creator (WCOTC) or Creative Alliance

RCR

9

Established in Wilkesdale, Queensland, Australia

Divine Truth

-

RCR

7

Established in New Zealand

Gloriavale Christian Community

-

RCR

10

Established in New York City, USA. Current locations include Australia, India, United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Germany, Brazil, and Netherlands

Hare Krishna

Also known as ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) or Krishna Consciousness Movement. Sometimes affiliated with the Vaishnava Movement

RCR

6

Established in South Australia. Other locations include Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.

Ideal Human Environment

Also known as IHE

RCR

10

Established in Iraq. Currently recruits members worldwide, including Australia. Operates in the following countries: Afghanistan (under the branch known as ISIS-Khorasan or ISIS-K), Libya, Egypt, Nigeria (through its affiliate Boko Haram), Somalia, Yemen, Philippines, Mali, and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Islamic State

Also known as IS (Islamic State), ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) or ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant)

RCR

10

Established in Pennsylvania, USA. Current locations include Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Nigeria, South, Korea, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Philippines, Italy, France, and Argentina

Jehovah's Witnesses

Also known as Watchtower Society, Witnesses of Jehovah, Jehovah's Christian Witnesses, JW (abbreviation), and The Watchtower

RCR

9

Established in Broken Hill region, Victoria, Australia. Operates online and across all continents. Mobile units in Australia run out of vans usually in major cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, & Brisbane. Overseas locations include United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and more.
Christian / Apocalyptic

Jesus Christians

Also known as The Kidney Cult, A Voice in the Desert, or simply Christians.

RCR

10

Established in Hong Kong and Hobart, Tasmania in early 90’s. Operating in Hobart headquarter since 2010. Small scale of branched followers in Brisbane, New Zealand and overseas in China, United States, Canada.

Jin-Gang-Dhyana

Also known as Holy Tantra Esoteric Buddhism, Tasmanian Buddhism Australia, or Vajrayana Zen.

RCR

10

Established in Sydney, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, Australia

Kenja Communication

-

RCR

9

Established in United States. Has a presence in Australian, particularly Sydney and Melbourne

LaRouche

Also known as Citizens Electoral Council (CEC)

RCR

7

Established in Queensland, Australia. In addition to operating in Helidon, Queensland, it also has bases in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Magnificat Meal Movement

Also known as MMM, The Movement, or Helidon Movement

RCR

10

Established in America. Operating in decentralised locations including Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and Germany.

National Socialist Order

Also known as Atomwaffen Division, AWD, or NSO

RCR

10

Established in Sydney, Australia

New Guard

Also known as Australian New Guard, New Guard Movement, or The New Guard League

RCR

8

Established in Nowra, NSW, Australia

Order of Saint Charbel

-

RCR

10

Established in Seoul, South Korea. International operation. Locations in Australia include Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

Providence

Also known as Setsuri, Bright Moon Church, Morning Star Church, Jesus Morning Star (JMS)

RCR

10

Established in a digital landscape (4chan). Current locations scattered around the world; due to digital nature of group it is difficult to determine exact locations.

QAnon

Also known as Q, The Storm, The Great Awakening, Patriot Movement, or Digital Soldiers

RCR

7

Established in France. Has bases in Australia, Canada, Japan, United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, and Italy.

Raëlians

Also known as International Raëlian Movement (IRM), or Raëlian Church

RCR

6

Established in Camden, New Jersey, USA. Current locations include Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Norway

Scientology

Also known as Dianetics, Hubbardism, Cult of Scientology, and The Movement

RCR

10

Established in South Korea. Also operates in Australia, United States, Japan, China, India, Philippines, Germany, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Shincheonji

Also known as Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (SCJ), or Shincheonji Church of Jesus

RCR

10

Established in Dandenongs, Victoria, Australia

The Family

Also known as Santiniketan Park Association or the Great White Brotherhood

RCR

10

Established in Ireland. Currently operating in Australia, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Brazil, Mexico, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Japan, South Korea, and Philippines.

The Truth

Also known as Two by Twos, Friends, or Workers

RCR

7

Established in Katoomba, NSW, Australia. Originated from Tennessee, America.

Twelve Tribes

-

RCR

10

Established in discrete locations around Australia

Universal Knowledge

-

RCR

7

Established in Goonellabah, NSW, Australia

Universal Medicine

-

RCR

7

bottom of page