A nickel-based active material precursor for a lithium secondary battery includes: a secondary particle including a plurality of particulate structures, wherein each particulate structure includes a porous core portion and a shell portion, the shell portion including primary particles radially arranged on the porous core portion; and the secondary particle has a plurality of radial centers. When the nickel-based active material precursor is used, a nickel-based positive active material having a short lithium ion diffusion distance, in which intercalation and deintercalation of lithium are facilitated, may be obtained. A lithium secondary battery manufactured using the positive active material may exhibit enhanced lithium availability, and may exhibit enhanced capacity and lifespan due to suppression of crack formation in the active material during charging and discharging.