The international Church of Scientology has shifted tens of millions of dollars into Australia.
The figures reveal a big increase in the churchâs wealth in recent years, even though census data shows it now has fewer than 1700 adherents in Australia â down by one-third in a decade.
An analysis of the churchâs financial accounts and elaborate corporate structure reveals the not-for-profit Church of Scientology Australia made net profits of $65.4 million between 2013 and 2019.
The reports show an array of cross-border money flows from cash-rich US-based affiliates. Its Australian operations received a $27.8 million loan in 2016 and a grant of $35.9 million from the United States in 2014 alone. In total, there were $78.5 million in grants and loans to Australia between 2013 and 2019.