Standards of Ethical Behaviour and Code of Conduct
Thank you for your patience, as we continue to work diligently to collate and review all feedback received regarding the LCANZ Code of Conduct, identifying key issues and areas requiring further attention. This work is currently taking place as we seek further input from Districts and the College of Bishops. Following the completion of the feedback review, a further update will be provided to the church about a summary of the findings. Further consultation will follow to ensure key learnings are addressed and this will shape any amendments to the content and implementation of the Code of Conduct. We remain committed to listening carefully and working together to support a safe and respectful church community.
ACTION STEP: No action is required right now. You will receive more information when it is available via an eNews to congregation leaders.
LCA and Payday Super
LCA Payroll (formerly LCA HRS) has been providing payroll services to the majority of LCA congregations and a number of associated Lutheran entities since 2016. In 2023 the Australian Government announced a reform to align employers’ payment of Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions with salary and wages, instead of the then active quarterly instalments. At this time LCA Payroll engaged with our SG clearing house Mercer to undertake Payday Super processing ahead of the proposed commencement of 1 July 2026.
ACTION STEP:
- For congregations using LCA Payroll with an LCA Payroll Service Agreement in place, Payday Super requirements are being looked after with no change to your cashflow.
- For congregations not using LCA Payroll services, please check out your responsibilities to meet the Payday Super requirements at Payday Super - key changes to super guarantee.
The LCA Payroll structure of sweeping/debiting payroll costs including the SG value from entities allowed LCA Payroll to commence ‘practising’ fortnightly payments to employees and pastors from February 2024 through to November 2025. We started preparing early for the future July 2026 changes, while also undertaking the forced-upon-us change of payroll software. For the SG payments of the last quarter of 2025, we reverted to a quarterly payment in January 2026 while the new payroll software Employment Hero went live and was bedded down to accommodate the many complexities of LCA remuneration. In February 2026 we recommenced ‘practising’ fortnightly SG payments to employees and pastors using Employment Hero and the Mercer SG clearing house, and are continuing our engagement with them to make sure we can fulfil the Payday Super processing time requirements, including the timeliness of bounce-back repayments. For further information on requirements LCA Payroll has been undertaking to comply with, or to view the requirements you need to consider, visit Payday Super - key changes to super guarantee.
LCA Insurance: valuation and renewal programs
The LCA valuation program for churches for 2025 has now been completed. The exercise was undertaken by our appointed valuer, Aon Commercial Risk Solutions. If your church was not valued in 2024 or 2025, your church will be revalued later in 2026. Updated valuation reports will be issued by LCA Insurance to each church that participated in the 2025 program in due course. These revised values will also be adopted for the 2026–2027 insurance renewal period. Accurate disclosure of building values is essential to ensure appropriate insurance coverage and to mitigate the risk of underinsurance. Failure to provide correct valuations may result in a substantial reduction in claim payments or, in some circumstances, the denial of coverage altogether.
LCA Insurance has commenced work on the renewal of the insurance program for the 2026–2027 period. In early March, individual clients received a compulsory insurance questionnaire from our broker, Aon, which has now closed. Aon is currently validating the data and preparing the market submission. Preliminary market feedback indicates stable conditions, and we remain optimistic that there will be no significant increases in premiums across the program for the upcoming renewal.
Safe Church Training
A reminder to check that all congregation members required to undertake Safe Church training are up to date. Not sure who needs to do the training, or how often they need to do it? Everything you need to know is on the Safe Church Training page, including the full schedule for training. We suggest that you add 'Safe Church Training' to your monthly Church Council meeting, as a reminder to check that your people (including new office-holders) are up to date.
New Bible study resource
This year The Lutheran is including a pull-out Bible study that is ideal for personal study or for small groups. You can find them at the Congregational Life Hub (Worship and Faith section) or go straight to them here: Dwelling in God's Word. This is also a great opportunity to encourage your people to check out our brilliant LCANZ magazine and subscribe. Visit The Lutheran webpage.
June 2026
Property maintenance
- Plan now for any planting, gardening or repairs that need to be done in spring and organise tradespeople or a working bee
End-of-year finances
- Finalise end-of-year finances
- Arrange for a review or audit (for congregations working with June end-of-financial-year)
Review your constitution
- Is it current and does it still work for your congregation?
First Aid kits
- Service your First Aid kits
Child Safety Standards
- Review Child Safety Standard 5
July 2026
Building and contents insurance
- Review your insurance for the church, manse and any other properties
- Take photos of buildings and contents for insurance purposes and store them securely
Property maintenance
- Follow up on quotes and finalise plans for necessary repairs and maintenance to be undertaken in spring
Finances
- Lodge your BAS for the April to June period (if operating on quarterly BAS returns)
Child Safety
- Submit your Child Safety Standards Safety Plan to your District Office
- Review Child Safety Standard 6
August 2026
Fire safety
- Have your fire extinguishers and other fire equipment been serviced?
- Are there any things you need to do around your properties to get ready for the summer fire season?
Evacuation plans
- Update and publicise your evacuation plans
CCLI
- Complete CCLI quarterly report (if you are using the quarterly reporting model)
Safe Church
- Review volunteer and staff compliance for Safe Church, background checks and referees
Child Safety Standards
- Review Child Safety Standard 7
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