The NCCA works in collaboration with state ecumenical councils around Australia.

"Act for Peace" is the international aid agency of the NCCA, which aims to empower war-torn communities to protect refugees, reduce poverty, prevent conflicts and manage disasters.

In Australia these included the Australian Student Christian Movement, formed in 1896, and the National Missionary Council, created in 1926.

The symbol of the boat has long been used to represent the ecumenical movement, and its origins are unclear - perhaps in the Gospel story of the calling of the Galilean fishermen to be disciples - "fishers of men".

The boat represents the Christian Church as a ship sailing the sea that is the world.