2008-2009 Australian Investigation

Mercy Ministries attracted public scrutiny in Australia after former residents alleged that they were denied professional help and subjected to religious practices they described as harmful. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported in October 2009 that bad publicity and an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigation preceded the closure of a Mercy Ministries counseling program linked to Hillsong (ABC).

In December 2009, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced court-enforceable undertakings from former directors of Mercy Ministries entities over misrepresentations, including claims about the program being free and about professional support available to residents (ACCC).