The Church consists of 23 dioceses covering the whole of Australia, each led by a Diocesan Bishop supported by a team of clergy and lay people. Prayer and worship happens in parishes, schools and colleges – and these range from large metropolitan congregations to small remote communities who come together to live the faith.
General Synod Office
The General Synod functions as a forum for the 23 dioceses of the Anglican Church of Australia to consider and determine matters in the affairs of the Church and in the Church’s engagement with society.
The Office of the General Synod provides for the efficient functioning of the General Synod, Secretariat support to the Standing Committee and its Executive Committee, resources its Commissions, Task Forces
and Working Groups and supports the functions of the Primate.
The Office is based in Sydney and the General Secretary leads a small team to deliver financial, administrative, project management and secretariat services to the support the implementation of General Synod objectives.
The primary mission of the General Synod Office is to assist the Church in its engagement with Australian society. Five strategies have been developed to:
- develop the work of the national institutions;
- provide ideas and initiatives directly;
- be more efficient in the use of our resources;
- offer advice in the area of finance and administration;
- and develop effective communications within the church and with the public arena.
The Primate
The Primate is the President of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia. In between Synods, he is also President of the Standing Committee of the General Synod which is elected by the General Synod to take responsibility for the affairs of the General Synod in between General Synod sessions.
The current Primate is the Archbishop of Canberra & Goulburn, The Right Reverend Dr Mark Graham. His initial six year term commenced on 1 November 2025.
The Primate is chosen by a Board of Electors, comprising diocesan bishops and representative clergy and laity.
Responsibility for each of Australia’s 23 dioceses rests with the bishops and archbishops appointed to those roles. The Primate may offer support and guidance to other bishops and dioceses primarily at their invitation. The Primate has no legal power to compel other bishops or dioceses to act.
The Primate also has responsibilities internationally. Since 1978, the Anglican primates have met regularly for an Anglican Communion Primates’ Meeting at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is regarded as the leader of the Anglican Primates. While the gathering has no legal jurisdiction, it is one of the instruments of unity among the autonomous provinces of the Communion.
The Dioceses
The dioceses vary greatly in size, both in area and in population. Some idea of their structure and resources can be glimpsed from the entries in this Directory. Further information about their ministries and operations can be obtained from the websites listed here and by contacting the dioceses directly.
Contact Details
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA
Suite 4, Level 5, 189 Kent St Sydney NSW 2000
02 8267 2700
gsoffice@anglican.org.au
www.anglican.org.au