The Diocese is parish based, synodically-governed, episcopally-led and structured as an unincorporated voluntary religious association, comprising a network of parishes and multiple other incorporated and unincorporated organisations (including trustees of trusts). The Diocese is one of the 23 dioceses that make up the separate national voluntary religious association known as the Anglican Church of Australia (ACA).
Synod governs the Diocese
Representative members of the Diocese meet in the Synod to attend to the governance of the Diocese (and other matters arising from membership of the ACA).
The New South Wales Parliament has provided a legislative framework for the Synod to carry out responsible and effective governance of the Diocese and its component parts. The Anglican Church of Australia Constitutions Act 1902 (NSW) empowers the Synod to make ordinances for the order and good government of the ACA within the Diocese. The Anglican Church of Australia Trust Property Act 1917 (NSW) (Trust Property Act) gives the Synod the power –
- to vary the trusts on which church trust property is held for one or more purposes of the Diocese,
- to appoint and remove trustees of such property, and
- to constitute councils and committees to govern and control the management and use of such property.
In addition, the Anglican Church of Australia (Bodies Corporate) Act 1938 (NSW) (Bodies Corporate Act) gives power to the Synod to constitute such councils and committees as bodies corporate for the management and governance of an entity within the Diocese or for holding, managing or dealing with church trust property held for one or more purposes of the Diocese. These bodies corporate have a legal personality separate from their members in much the same way as companies. However, they are not companies.
In total, there are about 260 parishes, about 60 schools and organisations established by the Synod and multiple other organisations for which the Synod is empowered to make ordinances, or upon which the Archbishop-in-Council may impose legally binding conditions. About 30 schools and organisations are incorporated by, or under, legislation including the Trust Property Act, the Bodies Corporate Act or the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
Not-for profit, charitable, religious status of diocesan entities
Diocesan schools, organisations and parishes are constituted in various ways. However they are all not-for-profit (NFP) entities registered as charities with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). The characteristics of NFP, charitable & religious status of diocesan entities are briefly outlined on this page.
Governance of Diocesan Schools, Organisations and Parishes
In 2024, the Synod adopted a Diocesan Governance Policy (for Diocesan Schools and Organisations) and a separate Parish Governance Policy for the parishes of the Diocese. These policies were accompanied at the Synod by a Statement on Diocesan Governance which sets out in more detail the background and rationale for these policies.
Further information:
