A series of Y(BA)₃:Ln³⁺ (BA=Benzoic acid, Ln = Eu, Tb) complexes with different doping concentration of Ln³⁺ (0–10 mol%) are prepared by wet chemical method. The synthesized complexes are analysed by using XRD, FTIR, TGA and photoluminescence techniques. The Y(BA)₃:Eu³⁺ complex emits narrow red emission at 614 nm and the Y(BA)₃:Tb³⁺ complex emits green emission at 544 nm when excited through ligand absorption around 280 nm. The doped Eu³⁺ complexes (Y(BA)₃:Eu³⁺) exhibit emission maxima at 5 mol% and it is more luminescent compared to un-doped complex i.e. Eu(BA)₃. Such enhancement due to doping is absent in case of Tb³⁺. The enhanced luminescence of Y(BA)₃:Eu³⁺ complex is explained by using luminescence decays. Different emission parameters of ⁵D₀ emission level of Eu³⁺ are also determined. The results indicate that the complexes can act as good candidates for organic phosphor.