View source for Anglican Church of Australia

{{Short description|Church of the Anglican Communion}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox religion
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| name               = Anglican Church of Australia
| image              = Angl-Australia-Arms.svg
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[[File:Anglican Church of Australia.svg|border|200px]] 
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| main_classification = [[Protestant]]
| orientation        = [[Anglican]]
| scripture          = [[Holy Bible]]
| theology           = [[Anglican doctrine]]
| polity             = [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal]]
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| leader_title       = [[Anglican Primate of Australia|Primate]]
| leader_name        = [[Mark Short]]
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| territory          = Australia
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| independence       = 1962
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| members            = 3,881,000 (2017)
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| website            = [http://www.anglican.org.au/ anglican.org.au]
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}}
The '''Anglican Church of Australia''', originally known as the '''Church of England in Australia and Tasmania''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Church of England in Australia and Tasmania |url=https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/tas/TE00543 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=www.findandconnect.gov.au}}</ref> is a Christian church in [[Australia]] and an autonomous church of the worldwide [[Anglican Communion]]. In 2016, responding to a peer-reviewed study published in the ''[[Journal of Anglican Studies]]'' by [[Cambridge University Press]], the Anglican Church of Australia reported that it had 4,865,328 total baptised members.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Muñoz |first=Daniel |date=May 2016 |title=North to South: A Reappraisal of Anglican Communion Membership Figures |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1740355315000212/type/journal_article |journal=Journal of Anglican Studies |language=en |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=71–95 |doi=10.1017/S1740355315000212 |issn=1740-3553}}</ref> In 2017, ''Growth and Decline in the Anglican Communion: 1980 to the Present'', published by [[Routledge]], collected research reporting there were 3.8 million members of the church.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |title=Growth and decline in the Anglican communion: 1980 to the present |date=2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-4724-3364-0 |editor-last=Goodhew |editor-first=David |edition=1st |series=Routledge contemporary ecclesiology |location=London New York |publication-date=2017 |pages=46}}</ref> In reporting to the [[World Council of Churches]], the church claimed 3,881,000 total members.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1948-01-01 |title=Anglican Church of Australia {{!}} World Council of Churches |url=https://www.oikoumene.org/member-churches/anglican-church-of-australia |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=www.oikoumene.org |language=en}}</ref> The Church of England Yearbook 2024 reported 3,679,688 members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anglican Communion Detail |url=https://www.crockford.org.uk/anglican-communion/1/02%20the%20anglican%20church%20of%20australia |access-date=2025-10-31 |website=www.crockford.org.uk}}</ref> According to the [[2021 Australian census|2021 Census]], 2.5 million Australians (9.8% of the population) self-identified as Anglicans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-07 |title=Religious affiliation in Australia {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/religious-affiliation-australia |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=www.abs.gov.au |language=en}}</ref> It is the second largest church in Australia after the [[Roman Catholicism in Australia|Roman Catholic Church]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncls.org.au/default.aspx?sitemapid=2261|title=Census vs Attendance (2001)|publisher=National Church Life Survey}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Behind the split of the Anglican church over gay marriage |url=https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2022/august/behind-the-split-of-the-anglican-church-over-gay-marriage |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=www.uwa.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>

For much of Australian history since the arrival of the [[First Fleet]] in January 1788, the church was the largest religious denomination. In recent times, however, Anglicanism in Australia has mirrored the steep decline in church membership and attendance experienced in many first-world nations. 

The church is one of the largest providers of social welfare services in Australia.

==History==
When the [[First Fleet]] was sent to [[New South Wales]] in 1787, [[Richard Johnson (chaplain)|Richard Johnson]] of the [[Church of England]] was licensed as chaplain to the fleet and the settlement. In 1825 [[Thomas Hobbes Scott|Thomas Scott]] was appointed [[Archdeacon]] of Australia under the jurisdiction of the [[Diocese of Calcutta (Church of North India)|Bishop of Calcutta]], [[Reginald Heber]]. [[William Grant Broughton]], who succeeded Scott in 1829, was consecrated the first (and only) "Bishop of Australia" in 1836. 
[[File:Richard Johnson.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|[[Richard Johnson (chaplain)|Richard Johnson]], chaplain to the [[First Fleet]]]]
In early Colonial times, the Church of England clergy worked closely with the [[Governors of New South Wales|governors]]. Richard Johnson was charged by the governor, [[Arthur Phillip]], with improving "public morality" in the colony, but he was also heavily involved in health and education.<ref name="adb_RJ">{{Cite Australian Dictionary of Biography |volume=2 |year=1967 |title=Richard Johnson (1753–1827) |id2=johnson-richard-2275 |first=K. J. |last=Cable |access-date=20 August 2025}}</ref> [[Samuel Marsden]] (1765–1838) had [[Magistrate|magisterial]] duties and so was equated with the authorities by the convicts. He became known as the "flogging parson" for the severity of his punishments.<ref>{{Cite Australian Dictionary of Biography |first=A. T. |last=Yarwood |title=Samuel Marsden (1765–1838) |id2=marsden-samuel-2433 |year=1967 |volume=2 |access-date=20 August 2025}}</ref> Some of the Irish convicts had been transported to Australia for political crimes or social rebellion in Ireland, so the authorities were suspicious of Roman Catholicism for the first three decades of settlement and Roman Catholic convicts were compelled to attend Church of England services and their children and orphans were raised by the authorities as Anglicans.<ref name="newadvent.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02113b.htm |title=Catholic Encyclopedia: Australia |publisher=Newadvent.org |access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="catholicaustralia.com.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicaustralia.com.au/page.php?pg=austchurch-history |title=The Catholic Community in Australia |publisher=Catholic Australia |access-date=10 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324111940/http://www.catholicaustralia.com.au/page.php?pg=austchurch-history |archive-date=24 March 2012 }}</ref>

The Church of England lost its legal privileges in the Colony of New South Wales by the ''[[Church Act of 1836]]''. Drafted by the reformist [[attorney-general]] [[John Plunkett]], the act established legal equality for Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Presbyterians and was later extended to Methodists.<ref>{{Cite Australian Dictionary of Biography |first=T. L. |last=Suttor |author-link=Timothy Suttor |volume=2 |year=1967 |title=John Hubert Plunkett (1802–1869) |id2=plunkett-john-hubert-2556 |access-date=2025-08-20}}</ref>

The [[Church Missionary Society]] established a mission to Aboriginal people in 1832 in the Wellington Valley, New South Wales, but it ended in failure: indigenous people in the 19th century demonstrated a reluctance to convert to the religion of the colonists who were seizing their lands.<ref name="anglican.org.au">[http://www.anglican.org.au/index.cfm?SID=2&SSID=5&PID=6] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309203848/http://www.anglican.org.au/index.cfm?SID=2&SSID=5&PID=6|date=9 March 2010}}</ref>

In 1842 the Diocese of Tasmania was created. In 1847 the rest of the Diocese of Australia was divided into the four separate dioceses of [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Sydney]], [[Anglican Diocese of Adelaide|Adelaide]], [[Diocese of Newcastle (Australia)|Newcastle]] and [[Anglican Diocese of Melbourne|Melbourne]]. Over the following 80 years the number of dioceses increased to 25.{{clear}}

[[Sectarianism]] in Australia tended to reflect the political inheritance of [[Great Britain|Britain]] and Ireland. Until 1945, the vast majority of Roman Catholics in Australia were of Irish descent, causing the Anglo-Protestant majority to question their loyalty to the [[British Empire]].<ref name="catholicaustralia.com.au"/> The [[Australian Constitution]] of 1901 provided for [[freedom of religion]]. Australian society was predominantly Anglo-Celtic, with 40% of the population being Anglican.

In the early years of the 20th century the Church of England transformed itself in its patterns of worship, in the internal appearances of its churches, and in the forms of piety recommended by its clergy. The changes represented a heightened emphasis on the sacraments and were introduced by younger clergy trained in England and inspired by the Oxford and Anglo-Catholic movements. The church's women and its upper and middle class parishes were most supportive, overcoming the reluctance of some of the men. The changes were widely adopted by the 1920s, making the Church of England more self-consciously "Anglican" and distinct from other churches.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hilliard |first=David |date=February 1986 |title=The Transformation of South Australian Anglicanism, c.1880–1930 |journal=[[Journal of Religious History]] |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=38–56 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-9809.1986.tb00454.x}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Withycombe |first=Robert |date=June 1990 |title=The Anglican Episcopate in England and Australia in the Early Twentieth Century: Towards a Comparative Study |journal=Journal of Religious History |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=154–172 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-9809.1990.tb00657.x}}</ref> Controversy erupted, especially in New South Wales, between the politically liberal proponents of the [[Social Gospel]], who wanted more church attention to the social ills of society, and conservative elements. The opposition of the strong conservative evangelical forces within the Sydney diocese limited the liberals during the 1930s, but their ideas contributed to the formation of the influential post-World War II Christian Social Order Movement.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mansfield |first=Joan |date=June 1985 |title=The Social Gospel and the Church of England in New South Wales in the 1930s |journal=Journal of Religious History |volume=13 |issue=4 |pages=411–433 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-9809.1985.tb00446.x}}</ref>

The church remained the largest [[Christian denomination]] until the 1986 census. After [[World War II]], the ethnic and cultural mix of Australia diversified and Anglicanism gave way to Roman Catholicism as the largest denomination. The number of Anglicans attending regular worship began to decline in 1959 and figures for occasional services (baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals) started to decline after 1966.<ref name="anglican.org.au" /> In recent times, the Anglican and other Christian churches in Australia have been active in [[ecumenical]] activity. The Australian committee for the World Council of Churches was established in 1946 by the Anglican and mainline Protestant churches. The movement evolved and expanded with Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches later joining and by 1994 the [[Catholic Church in Australia|Roman Catholic Church]] was also a member of the national ecumenical body, the [[National Council of Churches in Australia]].

Since 1 January 1962 the Australian church has been [[autocephalous]] and headed by its own [[Primate (bishop)|primate]]. On 24 August 1981 the church officially changed its name from the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania to the Anglican Church of Australia.<ref>[http://www.anglican.org.au/Web/Website.nsf/content/When_did_the_Church_of_England_become_the_Anglican_Church_of_Australia When did the Church of England become the Anglican Church of Australia?] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311183338/http://www.anglican.org.au/Web/Website.nsf/content/When_did_the_Church_of_England_become_the_Anglican_Church_of_Australia |date=11 March 2011 }}</ref>

Although the ''[[Book of Common Prayer (1662)|Book of Common Prayer]]'' remains the official standard for Anglican belief and worship in Australia, ''An Australian Prayer Book'' (AAPB) was published in 1978 after a prolonged revision of liturgy. Another alternative service book, ''[[A Prayer Book for Australia]]'' (APBA), was published in 1995.<ref name="anglican.org.au"/>

In 1985 the general synod of the Australian church passed a canon to allow the [[ordination]] of women as deacons. In 1992 the general synod approved legislation allowing dioceses to ordain women to the priesthood. Dioceses could choose to adopt the legislation. In 1992, 90 women were ordained in the Anglican Church of Australia and three others who had been ordained overseas were recognised.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.anglican.org.au/docs/WomensOrdinationTimeline.doc |title=Anglican Church of Australia website. |access-date=29 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014040042/http://www.anglican.org.au/docs/WomensOrdinationTimeline.doc |archive-date=14 October 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After decades of debate, women's ordination is rejected in a minority of dioceses. As of November 2024, only two ([[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Sydney]] and [[Anglican Diocese of North West Australia|North-West Australia]]) of the 23 dioceses have never ordained women as priests. A third diocese ([[Anglican Diocese of Armidale|Armidale]]) has ordained two women as priests but limited their service to the Anglican girls school and does not ordain women as priests for its churches. In 2008, [[Kay Goldsworthy]] was ordained as an assistant bishop for the [[Anglican Diocese of Perth|Diocese of Perth]], thus becoming the first woman consecrated as a bishop of the Anglican Church of Australia.<ref>{{cite web |last=Davies |first=Matthew |url=http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_96404_ENG_HTM.htm |title=Australia appoints first woman bishop |publisher=Episcopalchurch.org |date=11 April 2008 |access-date=19 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122053130/http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_96404_ENG_HTM.htm |archive-date=22 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Sarah Macneil]] was elected in 2013 to be the first female diocesan bishop in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/11/18/australia-sarah-macneil-appointed-first-female-diocesan-bishop/|title=Australia: Sarah Macneil appointed first female diocesan bishop|date=18 November 2013|access-date=10 November 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023112/http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/11/18/australia-sarah-macneil-appointed-first-female-diocesan-bishop/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014 she was consecrated and installed as the first female diocesan bishop in Australia (for the Diocese of Grafton in New South Wales).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/03/australias-first-woman-diocesan-bishop-consecrated.aspx|title=Australia's first woman diocesan bishop consecrated|access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref>

The church remains a major provider of education and welfare services in Australia.<ref name="dfat.gov.au">[http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/religion.html About Australia: Religious Freedom] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806082535/http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/religion.html |date=6 August 2010 }}</ref> It provides chaplains to the [[Australian Defence Force]], hospitals, schools, industry and prisons.<ref name="anglican.org.au"/> Senior clergy such as [[Peter Jensen (bishop)|Peter Jensen]], former Archbishop of Sydney, have a high profile in discussions on a diverse range of social issues in contemporary national debates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/sundayprofile/stories/s2058735.htm |title=Anglican Archbishop of Sydney: Peter Jensen :: Sunday Profile |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=10 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018044312/http://www.abc.net.au/sundayprofile/stories/s2058735.htm |archive-date=18 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In recent times the church has encouraged its leaders to talk on such issues as indigenous rights; international security; peace and justice; and poverty and equity.<ref>[http://www.anglican.org.au/index.cfm?SID=2&SSID=97&PID=297] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027042827/http://www.anglican.org.au/index.cfm?SID=2&SSID=97&PID=297|date=27 October 2009}}</ref> The current primate is [[Mark Short]], [[Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn|bishop of Canberra and Goulburn]], who commenced in the role on 1 November 2025. Short is the first-ever non-[[metropolitan bishop]] to serve as primate and the first [[Evangelical Anglicanism|evangelical]] to hold the post since [[Marcus Loane]] of [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Sydney]] retired in 1982.<ref name="CT-2025">{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Muriel |title=Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn elected Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/25-july/news/world/bishop-of-canberra-goulburn-elected-primate-of-the-anglican-church-of-australia |access-date=21 July 2025 |work=Church Times |date=21 July 2025}}</ref>

Like other religious groups, the church has come under criticism in light of cases of sexual abuse by clergy and others.<ref>{{cite web |author=Rowland Croucher |url=http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/5475.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050108223209/http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/5475.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 January 2005 |title='God Wants You To Love Me' (Sexual Abuse in the Anglican Church) &#124; John Mark Ministries |publisher=Jmm.aaa.net.au |access-date=10 July 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Amelia Bentley |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/priest-admits-sex-abuse-of-altar-boys-20090424-ahe1.html |title=Priest admits sex abuse of altar boys |work=Brisbane Times |date=24 April 2009 |access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref>

===2022 split===
On 16 August 2022, the church experienced a split when some [[Anglican realignment|conservatives]] formed the breakaway [[Diocese of the Southern Cross]]. It is led by a former [[Anglican Archbishop of Sydney|Archbishop of Sydney]], [[Glenn Davies]]. The split was principally caused over [[same sex marriage]] among other issues.<ref name="Baker">{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Jordan |title=Anglican church splits: conservatives form Australian breakaway |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/anglican-church-splits-conservatives-form-australian-breakaway-20220816-p5bact.html |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> The diocese is backed by the current Archbishop of Sydney, [[Kanishka Raffel]], and the [[Anglican Bishop of Tasmania|Bishop of Tasmania]], [[Richard Condie (bishop)|Richard Condie]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Jordan |title=Anglican church splits: conservatives form Australian breakaway |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/anglican-church-splits-conservatives-form-australian-breakaway-20220816-p5bact.html |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 2022 |title=Anglican Bishop defends support for 'anti-gay' rebel church |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/tasmania/tasmanian-anglican-bishop-richard-condie-defends-support-for-breakaway-conservative-church/news-story/773e15eae8f134a42d8d385459de7d1c |work=[[Herald Sun]]}}</ref> In September 2022, the [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Diocese of Sydney]] voted to declare the church to be in a state of "deep breach of fellowship" as a result of the division. The diocese vowed to provide support for conservative Anglicans both within the Anglican Church of Australia and the breakaway Diocese of the Southern Cross.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Muriel |date=23 September 2022 |title=Sydney diocese declares 'breach of fellowship' with Australian Church |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/30-september/news/world/sydney-diocese-declares-breach-of-fellowship-with-australian-church |access-date= |website=[[Church Times]]}}</ref>

==Demographics==
[[File:AustralianReligiousAffiliation 2.svg|thumb|500px<!-- Note image forced size as otherwise graph would be unreadable -->|right|Major religious affiliations in Australia by census year<ref name="ABS 2008 Yr Bk">{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/7d12b0f6763c78caca257061001cc588/636F496B2B943F12CA2573D200109DA9?opendocument |work=1301.0 – Year Book Australia, 2008 |title=Cultural diversity |date=7 February 2008 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |access-date=15 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213060354/http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/7d12b0f6763c78caca257061001cc588/636F496B2B943F12CA2573D200109DA9?opendocument |archive-date=13 February 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
[[File:Australian Census 2011 demographic map - Australia by SLA - BCP field 2715 Christianity Anglican Persons.svg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|People who identified as Anglican as a percentage of the total Australian population at the 2011 census, divided geographically by statistical local area]]

Since the arrival of the [[First Fleet]] in 1788, the Anglican Church of Australia had been the largest religious denomination until the 1986 census,<ref name=Sheridan>[[Greg Sheridan]]; ''God is Good for You''; Allen & Unwin; 2018, p. 25.</ref> after which Roman Catholics outnumbered Anglicans by an increasing margin. The percentage of Anglican affiliation peaked in 1921 at 43.7%,{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} and the number of persons indicating Anglican affiliation in an Australian census peaked in 1991 at 4,018,779.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/free.nsf/0/792BBD9457634FFECA2574BE00826627/$File/27100_1991_20_Census_Characteristics_of_Australia.pdf |title=Census characteristics of Australia: 1991 census of population and housing |date=1991 |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>

In the 2011 Census, 3,679,907 people named their religious affiliation as Anglican.<ref name="Quickstats 2011">{{cite web|title=Australia: 2011 census all persons QuickStats |url= https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2011/0 |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref> In the 2016 Census, 3.1 million Australians self-identified as Anglicans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hutton |first=Sean |date=2017-06-28 |title=Number of Australian Anglicans falls by 580,000 in five years: Census 2016 |url=https://tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/2017/06/number-of-australian-anglicans-falls-by-580000-in-five-years-census-2016/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=The Melbourne Anglican |language=en-AU}}</ref> Five years later, in the 2021 Census, the total was 2,496,273 – a decline of almost one-third, 32 per cent. Those figures represented 17.1% and 9.8% respectively of the census populations, a decline of 42%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Australia: 2021 census all persons QuickStats |url= https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/AUS |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref> In 2016, the ''[[Journal of Anglican Studies]]'' stated that of approximately 4,865,328 total members claimed by the church, the number of active members was 437,880.<ref name="Muñoz"/><ref name=Gledhill>{{Cite web|last=Gledhill|first=Ruth |title=Anglican membership figures could be out by millions |url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/anglican-membership-figures-could-be-out-by-millions/70392.htm|date=2016|access-date=2021-07-27|website=www.christiantoday.com|language=en}}</ref>  In 2017, another peer-reviewed study, published by Routledge Press, reported that the average weekly Anglican attendance had fallen to 155,000 in 2011 from 191,600 in 1991.<ref name=":2" /> The steep decline in church membership and attendance has mirrored the experience in many first-world, mostly post-modern nations.<ref name="Muñoz">{{Cite journal|last=Muñoz|first=Daniel|date=May 2016|title=North to South: A Reappraisal of Anglican Communion Membership Figures|journal=[[Journal of Anglican Studies]]|language=en|volume=14|issue=1|pages=71–95|doi=10.1017/S1740355315000212|issn=1740-3553|doi-access=free}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable floatright" style= "font-size: 86%"
|-
! colspan="6" |{{larger|'''Percentage of respondents stating religious affiliation as Anglican in Australian censuses'''}}
|-
! State / territory
!% 2021<ref>{{cite web|title=Australia: 2021 census all persons QuickStats |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/AUS |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>!! % 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2016/0 |title=2016 census all persons QuickStats |date=2024 |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]  |access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>!! % 2011<ref name="Quickstats 2011"/>!! % 2006<ref>{{cite web|title=Australia: 2006 census all persons QuickStats |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2006/AU |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>!! % 2001<ref>{{cite web|title=Australia: 2001 census all persons QuickStats |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2001/0 |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Australian Capital Territory]]
|8.2
|style="text-align:right"| 10.8
|style="text-align:right"| 14.7
|style="text-align:right"| 16.7
|style="text-align:right"| 18.5
|-
| [[New South Wales]]
|11.9
|style="text-align:right"| 15.5
|style="text-align:right"| 20.0
|style="text-align:right"| 21.8
|style="text-align:right"| 23.8
|-
| [[Northern Territory]]
|6.0
|style="text-align:right"| 8.4
|style="text-align:right"| 11.4
|style="text-align:right"| 12.3
|style="text-align:right"| 14.7
|-
| [[Queensland]]
|11.3
|style="text-align:right"| 15.3
|style="text-align:right"| 18.9
|style="text-align:right"| 20.4
|style="text-align:right"| 22.5
|-
| [[South Australia]]
|7.2
|style="text-align:right"| 10.0
|style="text-align:right"| 12.6
|style="text-align:right"| 13.7
|style="text-align:right"| 15.2
|-
| [[Tasmania]]
|14.4
|style="text-align:right"| 20.4
|style="text-align:right"| 26.0
|style="text-align:right"| 29.3
|style="text-align:right"| 32.4
|-
| [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]
|6.5
|style="text-align:right"| 9.0
|style="text-align:right"| 12.3
|style="text-align:right"| 13.6
|style="text-align:right"| 15.3
|-
| [[Western Australia]]
|10.1
|style="text-align:right"| 14.3
|style="text-align:right"| 18.8
|style="text-align:right"| 20.4
|style="text-align:right"| 22.6
|-
|'''Total Australia'''
|'''9.8'''
|style="text-align:right"| '''13.3'''
|style="text-align:right"| '''17.1'''
|style="text-align:right"| '''18.7'''
|style="text-align:right"| '''20.7'''
|}

One explanation for the reduced prevalence of Anglicanism relates to changes in [[Immigration to Australia|Australia's immigration patterns]]. Before the [[Second World War]], the majority of immigrants to Australia had come from the United Kingdom – though most of Australia's Roman Catholic immigrants had come from Ireland. After World War II, Australia's immigration program diversified and more than 6.5&nbsp;million migrants arrived in Australia in the 60 years after the war, including more than a million Roman Catholics.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Unlike other churches, the Anglican Church of Australia does not publish churchwide attendance statistics.<ref name="statistical-compendium-2017">{{cite web |last1=Reilly |first1=Colin |title=A little compendium of Australian Anglican diocesan statistics |url=https://bishopperryinstitute.org.au/uploads/Little%20compendium%20of%20Australian%20Anglican%20diocesan%20statistics%20FINAL.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226093709/https://bishopperryinstitute.org.au/uploads/Little%20compendium%20of%20Australian%20Anglican%20diocesan%20statistics%20FINAL.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2019-02-26 |publisher=Bishop Perry Institute |access-date=5 September 2023 |date=2017}}</ref> In 2011, the [[National Church Life Survey]] estimated that 155,000 Australians attended an Anglican church weekly, down from 191,600 in 1991.<ref name="ncls-2017">{{cite book |last1=Powell |first1=Ruth |title=Growth and Decline in the Anglican Communion: 1980 to the Present |date=2017 |publisher=Routledge |location=Oxford, U.K. |page=197 |chapter=Australia}}</ref> However, the church does tabulate figures on clergy, which are used to allocate diocesan representation at General Synod. In 2015, there were 2,441 active bishops, priests and deacons in the church, up from 2,340 in 1991.<ref name="statistical-compendium-2017" /> 

==Structure==
The Australian church consists of twenty-three [[diocese]]s arranged into five provinces (except for [[Tasmania]]) with the [[metropolitan bishop|metropolitical]] sees in the states' capital cities. Anglican clergy are concentrated in Australia's major cities, with the five metropolitical dioceses accounting for 64 per cent of active clergy. When adding the mixed urban and rural dioceses of [[Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn|Canberra and Goulburn]], [[Anglican Diocese of Newcastle (Australia)|Newcastle]], [[Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory|Northern Territory]] and [[Anglican Diocese of Tasmania|Tasmania]], urban areas account for 79 per cent of active clergy.<ref name="statistical-compendium-2017" /> The evangelical [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Diocese of Sydney]] is by far the largest diocese: in 2011, its 58,300 weekly attenders<ref name="sydney-attendance-2011">{{cite web |last1=Gupta |first1=Raj |title=Anecdotes and Statistics |url=https://sydneyanglicans.net/blogs/evangelism/anecdotes-and-statistics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301134807/https://sydneyanglicans.net/blogs/evangelism/anecdotes-and-statistics |url-status=dead |archive-date=2017-03-01 |website=SydneyAnglicans.net |access-date=5 September 2023 |date=30 December 2013}}</ref> accounted for 37.6 per cent of the Anglican Church's weekly attendance, and in 2015, the diocese's 688 active clergy accounted for 28.1 per cent of the active clergy across the church.<ref name="statistical-compendium-2017" />

[[Broughton Publishing]] is the church's national publishing arm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broughtonpublishing.com.au/contact.php|title=Contact Us|publisher=Broughton Publishing|access-date=2 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025222906/http://www.broughtonpublishing.com.au/contact.php|archive-date=25 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

==Indigenous ministry==
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC) appoints two Indigenous bishops for national work with [[Indigenous Australians]]: the National [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] Bishop (currently [[Chris McLeod]]) is based in South Australia (as an assistant bishop of the [[Anglican Diocese of Adelaide]]); while the National [[Torres Strait Islanders|Torres Strait Islander]] Bishop (currently vacant) is based at [[Thursday Island, Queensland]] (as an assistant bishop of the [[Anglican Diocese of North Queensland]]). [[Gloria Shipp]] was the first woman elected Chair of NATSIAC.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 October 2012 |title=First woman elected Chair of Anglican national indigenous body |url=https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2012/10/first-woman-elected-chair-of-anglican-national-indigenous-body.aspx |work=Anglican Communion News Service}}</ref>

==Society, arts and culture==

===Welfare and education===
{{Main|Anglican education in Australia}}

Anglicans have played a prominent role in welfare and education since Colonial times, when [[First Fleet]] chaplain [[Richard Johnson (chaplain)|Richard Johnson]] was credited by one convict as "the physician both of soul and body" during the famine of 1790 and was charged with general supervision of schools.<ref name="adb_RJ"/> Today the church remains a significant provider of social welfare with organisations working in education, health, missionary work, social welfare and communications. Welfare organisations include [[Anglicare]] and [[Samaritans]].<ref name="dfat.gov.au"/> The Anglicare network comprises 9000 volunteers beyond paid staff, who assisted some 940,000 Australians in 2016 in areas such as emergency relief, aged care, family support and assistance for the homeless.<ref>[[Greg Sheridan]], ''God is Good for You'', Allen & Unwin 2018, p. 26.</ref>

There are around 145 [[:Category:Anglican schools in Australia|Anglican schools in Australia]], providing for more than 105,000 children.<ref name="dfat.gov.au"/> Church schools range from low-fee, regional and special needs schools to high-fee leading independent schools such as [[Geelong Grammar]] (whose [[alumni]] include [[Charles&nbsp;III]] and [[Rupert Murdoch]]) and [[The Kings School, Parramatta|The Kings School]] in Sydney. Anglican Schools Australia is the national schools network of the general synod.

===Architecture===
[[File:St johns church in reid canberra.jpg|thumb|[[St John the Baptist Church, Reid]], built in the 1840s, is the oldest building within [[Canberra]]'s city precinct]]

The first Church of England edifice was built in the colony of New South Wales in 1793.<ref>[http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/religion.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317125715/http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/religion.html|date=17 March 2010}}</ref> Today, most towns in Australia have at least one Christian church. One of Australia's oldest Anglican churches is [[St. James Church, Sydney|St James' Church]] in Sydney, built between 1819 and 1824. The historic church was designed by [[Lachlan Macquarie|Governor Macquarie]]'s architect, [[Francis Greenway]] – a former convict – and built with convict labour. The church is set on a sandstone base and built of face brick with the walls articulated by brick piers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_01_2.cfm?itemid=5054947 |title=Heritage Branch Website – Online Database |publisher=Heritage.nsw.gov.au |date=27 June 2013 |access-date=10 July 2013 |archive-date=14 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614072606/http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_01_2.cfm?itemid=5054947 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sydney's Anglican cathedral, [[St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney|St Andrew's]], was consecrated in 1868 from foundations laid in the 1830s. Largely designed by [[Edmund Thomas Blacket]] in the [[Perpendicular Gothic]] style reminiscent of English cathedrals. Blacket also designed [[Goulburn Cathedral (St. Saviour)|St Saviour's Cathedral]] in [[Goulburn, New South Wales|Goulburn]], based on the [[Decorated Gothic]] style of a large English parish church and built between 1874 and 1884.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goulburncathedral.org.au/cathedral/history.html |title=History |publisher=Goulburncathedral.org.au |access-date=10 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616050511/http://www.goulburncathedral.org.au/cathedral/history.html |archive-date=16 June 2013 }}</ref>

[[St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne]], from a foundation stone laid in 1880, is a Melbourne landmark. It was designed by the distinguished English architect [[William Butterfield]] in [[Gothic Transitional]].<ref>[http://www.stpaulscathedral.org.au/history.html St Paul's Cathedral history] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306152552/http://www.stpaulscathedral.org.au/history.html|date=6 March 2010}}</ref>

[[Tasmania]] is home to a number of significant colonial Anglican buildings including those located at Australia's best preserved convict era settlement, [[Port Arthur, Tasmania|Port Arthur]]. According to 19th century notions of prisoner reform, the ''Model Prison'' incorporates a grim chapel, into which prisoners in solitary confinement were shepherded to listen (in individual enclosures) to the preacher's Sunday sermon – their only permitted interaction with another human being.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portarthur.org.au/ |title=Australian Convict Site & Attractions near Hobart Tasmania |publisher=Port Arthur |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref> Adelaide, the capital of [[South Australia]] has long been known as the ''City of Churches'' and its [[St Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide|St Peter's Anglican Cathedral]] is a noted city landmark.<ref>[http://www.stpeters-cathedral.org.au/web/ Welcome | St Peter's Cathedral] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523060729/http://www.stpeters-cathedral.org.au/web/ |date=23 May 2010 }}</ref>

The oldest building in the city of [[Canberra]] is the picturesque [[St John the Baptist Church, Reid|St John the Baptist Church]] in Reid, consecrated in 1845. This church long predates the city of Canberra and is not so much representative of urban design as it is of [[the Bush]] chapels which dot the Australian landscape and stretch even into the far [[Outback]].

A number of notable [[Victorian Architecture|Victorian]] era chapels and edifices were also constructed at church schools across Australia. Along with community attitudes to religion, church architecture changed significantly during the 20th century.

==Ordination of women==
{{See also|Ordination of women in the Anglican Communion}}

Since 1985 the church has permitted the ordination of women on a diocesan basis. The first woman to be ordained was [[Marion Macfarlane]], ordained to the Female Diaconate in 1884 in the Diocese of Melbourne.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1884-03-05|title=Notes of the month|pages=3|work=Church of England Messenger and Ecclesiastical Gazette for the Diocese of Melbourne and Ballarat (Vic. : 1876 - 1889)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197131590|access-date=2021-03-13}}</ref> [[List of the first women ordained as priests in the Anglican Church of Australia in 1992|In 1992, the first women were ordained as priests]], initially in the Diocese of Perth and then around the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Twenty years of female Anglican priests|date=7 March 2012 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/religionandethicsreport/twenty-years-of-female-anglican-priests/3874424|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> In 2008, the [[Anglican Diocese of Perth|Diocese of Perth]] consecrated the first female bishop, the Rt Revd [[Kay Goldsworthy]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kay Goldsworthy to become new Anglican Bishop of Gippsland|newspaper=ABC News |date=19 March 2015 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-20/gippsland-to-get-first-female-bishop/6334394|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> In 2014, the Diocese of Grafton consecrated and installed the first female diocesan bishop, the Rt Revd [[Sarah Macneil]]. Bishop Kay Goldsworthy became the second female diocesan bishop when she was enthroned as bishop of [[Anglican Diocese of Gippsland|Gippsland]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gippsanglican.org.au/who-we-are/people/kay-goldsworthy|title=Kay Goldsworthy {{!}} Anglican Diocese of Gippsland|last=www.eastgippslanddesign.com.au|website=www.gippsanglican.org.au|access-date=15 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422212250/http://www.gippsanglican.org.au/who-we-are/people/kay-goldsworthy|archive-date=22 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> then in 2018 she was installed as Archbishop of Perth. The dioceses of [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Sydney]], [[Anglican Diocese of North West Australia|North West Australia]] and formerly [[Anglican Diocese of The Murray|The Murray]] did not ordain women as priests.<ref>{{cite web|title=Are women able to be priests in the Anglican Church of Australia?|url=http://www.anglican.org.au/home/about/students/Pages/are_women_able_to_be_priests_in_the_anglican_church_of_australia.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203092250/http://www.anglican.org.au/home/about/students/Pages/are_women_able_to_be_priests_in_the_anglican_church_of_australia.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2014|publisher=Anglican Church of Australia|access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> In 2017, the [[Anglican Diocese of The Murray|Diocese of The Murray]] ordained its first female deacon, becoming the last diocese to ordain women to the diaconate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/21-april/news/world/first-woman-deacon-in-the-murray|title=First woman deacon in The Murray|website=Church Times UK |access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref> In August 2017, the Anglicans of Western Australia elected the Anglican Church of Australia's first female archbishop, Kay Goldsworthy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-29/anglican-church-appoints-australias-first-female-archbishop/8853660|title=Anglican Church elects Australia's first female Archbishop|date=29 August 2017|work=ABC News|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> In a statement representing a conservative and [[Complementarianism|complementarian]] view, Bishop Gary Nelson said that Archbishop Goldsworthy "would not be recognised in her new role" as the metropolitan for the province.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/wa-bishop-gary-nelson-rejects-new-female-perth-archbishop-kay-goldsworthy-ng-b88745278z|title='God would oppose' the new female leader says WA bishop|date=15 February 2018|work=The West Australian|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref>

In June 2023 the Synod of The Murray voted to allow the ordination of women as priests<ref>{{Cite web |last=Officer |first=Media |date=2023-06-06 |title=Murray Diocese votes to allow ordination of women priests |url=https://adelaideguardian.com/2023/06/06/murray-diocese-votes-to-allow-ordination-of-women-priests/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Guardian |language=en}}</ref> and on 12 August 2023, Bishop [[Keith Dalby]] ordained three women and one man to the priesthood. 

Of the 23 Anglican dioceses in Australia, only two have never ordained women to the priesthood: the [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Diocese of Sydney]] and the [[Anglican Diocese of North West Australia|Diocese of North West Australia]]. The [[Anglican Diocese of Armidale|Diocese of Armidale]] does not generally ordain women to the priesthood but two women were ordained priest for the Anglican girls school.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Jenan |date=2022-08-19 |title=Young Anglicans unaware of opposition to women priests in some dioceses |url=https://tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/2022/08/young-anglicans-unaware-of-opposition-to-women-priests-in-some-dioceses/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=The Melbourne Anglican |language=en-AU}}</ref> 

== Same-sex unions and LGBT clergy ==
{{See also|Homosexuality and the Anglican Communion}}
In the Seventeenth Session of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia in 2017, the Anglican Church passed a motion recognising "that the doctrine of our church, in line with traditional Christian teaching, is that marriage is an exclusive and lifelong union of a man and a woman, and further, recognises that this has been the subject of several General Synod resolutions over the past fifteen years".<ref>{{cite web|title=Minutes of the fourth day of the Seventeenth General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia held in Synod Hall, Wandiny Room, Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Maroochydore on Thursday 7 September 2017|url=https://www.anglican.org.au/data/GS17_Minutes_of_the_Day/General_Synod_-_Minutes_of_Day_4_2017_FINAL.pdf|publisher=Anglican Church of Australia|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-date=16 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116193435/https://www.anglican.org.au/data/GS17_Minutes_of_the_Day/General_Synod_-_Minutes_of_Day_4_2017_FINAL.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2018, the then-Primate of Australia and Archbishop of Melbourne, [[Philip Freier]], released an ''ad clerum'' reiterating the current position that clergy cannot perform a same-sex marriage, though they could offer prayers and other forms of pastoral support for same-sex couples.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/380705315/AD-Clerum-Changes-to-the-Marriage-Law#from_embed|title=AD Clerum Changes to the Marriage Law|website=Scribd|language=en|access-date=2018-06-04}}</ref>  In 2020, the church's highest court, the Appellate Tribunal, ruled that a diocese may authorise the blessing of persons in same-sex unions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Australian tribunal clears way for same-sex marriage blessings|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/13-november/news/world/australian-tribunal-clears-way-for-same-sex-marriage-blessings|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.churchtimes.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-12|title='A sign that God loves you and we welcome you': Anglican diocese allows blessings of same-sex marriages|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-12/same-sex-couples-anglican-church-blessings-wangaratta/12875676|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Wangaratta's same-sex wedding blessing "valid", Australia's highest Church court rules|url=https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2020/11/wangarattas-same-sex-wedding-blessing-valid-australias-highest-church-court-rules.aspx|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.anglicannews.org|language=en-gb}}</ref> At the same time, the church does not have an official stance on homosexuality itself.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/3226753.stm|title=Anglican Church around the world|date=15 July 2008|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref>

During a meeting, the House of Bishops stated that they "accept the weight of 1998 Lambeth Resolution 1.10 and the 2004 General Synod resolutions 33, 59 and 61–64 as expressing the mind of this church on issues of human sexuality ... and understand that issues of sexuality are subject to ongoing conversation". A former primate, Peter Carnley, supported the blessing of same-sex relationships and supported "recognition of lifelong friendships between two homosexuals which would give them the same legal status as a heterosexual married couple".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ucg.org/world-news-and-prophecy/in-brief-ordination-of-gay-priests-defining-issue-for-anglicans-in-australia|title=In Brief... Ordination of Gay Priests Defining Issue for Anglicans in Australia|last=Eddington|first=Bill|date=1 July 2001|website=United Church of God|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2004/s1053387.htm|title=Lateline – 25/02/2004: Archbishop Peter Carnley suggests lifelong friendships over gay marriage|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731062100/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2004/s1053387.htm|archive-date=31 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> A spokesman for [[Phillip Aspinall]], the Archbishop of Brisbane, stated that "In effect it is an undertaking not to ordain, license, authorise or appoint persons whom the bishop knows to be in a sexual relationship outside of marriage."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geoconger.wordpress.com/tag/john-mcintyre/ |title="Gay clergy banned in Australia", ''The Church of England Newspaper'', 22 April 2012, p. 7 |publisher=Geoconger.wordpress.com |access-date=10 July 2013}}</ref> At the same time, Archbishop Aspinall stated that he personally does not take an official position.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Attard|first1=Monica|title=The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Dr Phillip Aspinall|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/07/04/2294716.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=11 April 2016}}</ref> Despite what the spokesman said, however, an Anglican priest came out as gay in 2005 in Melbourne.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Gay-priest-calls-for-greater-acceptance/2005/03/07/1110160750605.html?oneclick=true|title=Gay priest calls for greater acceptance|work=The Age|last1=Zwartz|first1=Barney|date=8 March 2005 |access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref> In the [[Anglican Diocese of Perth|Diocese of Perth]], "there are gay and lesbian clergy serving in the priesthood."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.perth.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2013-Human-Sexuality-Statement-by-the-Archbishop-8-October.pdf|title=Synod motion – human sexuality|last=Herft|first=Roger|date=8 October 2013 |website=perth.anglican.dort |publisher=Anglican Diocese of Perth|access-date=10 December 2016}}</ref> Archbishop Roger Herft, as a diocesan bishop, "support[ed] blessing gay unions".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/28/1077677014384.html|title=Anglicans look for leader with a healing touch|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=29 February 2004 |access-date=31 March 2017}}</ref> In 2012, a bishop "appoint[ed] a gay priest in a same-sex partnership to a [[Anglican Diocese of Gippsland|Gippsland]] parish."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/bishop-whose-heart-lay-with-the-alien-and-the-outsider-20140615-3a5zm.html|title=Bishop whose heart 'lay with the alien and the outsider'|last=Porter|first=Muriel|date=16 June 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=14 May 2017}}</ref> The [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney]], the largest of the country, has expressed its opposition to same-sex unions and has been involved in the [[Anglican realignment]] as a member of the [[Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Porter|first1=Muriel|title=Sydney Anglicans and the threat to world Anglicanism|url=http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2011/08/29/3304954.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=14 April 2016}}</ref> However, many clergy and bishops support same-sex unions. The [[Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta|Wangaratta]] and [[Anglican Diocese of Ballarat|Ballarat]] dioceses have voted to support the blessing of same-sex civil unions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bordermail.com.au/news/business/5488069/church-says-blessings-should-be-for-same-sex-love-too/|title=Church says blessings should be for same-sex love too|last=Morgan|first=Shana|date=2018-06-25|work=The Border Mail|access-date=2018-06-28|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628124729/https://www.bordermail.com.au/news/business/5488069/church-says-blessings-should-be-for-same-sex-love-too/|archive-date=28 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5732422/motion-to-bless-gay-weddings-passed-at-anglican-synod/|title=Motion to bless gay weddings passed at Anglican synod|last=Ford|first=Alex|date=2018-11-05|work=The Courier|access-date=2018-11-07|language=en}}</ref> The dioceses of Wangaratta and [[Anglican Diocese of Newcastle (Australia)|Newcastle]] have approved of blessing rites for same-sex marriages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/6359464/love-vote-gay-couple-to-be-the-first-blessed-by-church-after-marriage/|title=Love vote: Gay couple to be the first blessed by church after marriage|last=Morgan|first=Shana|date=2019-08-31|website=The Border Mail|language=en|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://7news.com.au/news/religion-and-belief/newcastle-anglicans-support-gay-marriage-c-525743|title=Newcastle Anglicans support gay marriage|date=2019-10-27|website=7NEWS.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-10-27}}</ref> Blessings for same-sex unions are also permitted in the [[Anglican Diocese of Brisbane|Diocese of Brisbane]].<ref>{{Citation |title=The Dean's Weekly Update, 30 June 2022 (#114) | date=29 June 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKjusO3wUYE |language=en |access-date=2022-08-26}}</ref> In 2012, the [[Diocese of Gippsland]] appointed an openly partnered gay priest.<ref>{{cite web|last1=ABC Gippsland|title=Bishop defends gay priest appointment|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/02/27/3440628.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/national-news/new-south-wales-news/anglican-spat-over-gay-priest/72518|title=Anglican spat over gay priest| date=2012-02-23 |access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> In 2013, the Diocese of Perth voted in favour of recognising same-sex unions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Perth Anglicans vote to recognise same-sex relationships|newspaper=ABC News |date=7 October 2013 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-07/anglicans-in-perth-vote-to-recognise-same-sex-marriages/5002762|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref> Archbishop [[Roger Herft]] vetoed the Perth motion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-29/anglican-reject/5052642|title=Archbishop rejects formal recognition of same-sex relationships|date=29 October 2013|work=ABC News|access-date=10 December 2016}}</ref> In 2015, the [[Diocese of Wangaratta|Bishop of Wangaratta]] endorsed same-sex marriage legislation and some diocesan clergy offered to perform gay marriages when allowed to do so.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bush bishop supports same-sex marriage|date=30 September 2015 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/religionandethicsreport/bishop-of-wangaratta-supports-same-sex-marriage/6816848|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1132288/gays-to-wed-at-st-matthews/|title=Gays to wed at St Matthew's?|last=Dow|first=Aisha|date=19 November 2012|access-date=8 July 2016}}</ref> In the [[Anglican Diocese of Grafton|Diocese of Grafton]], former bishop Sarah Macneil took an affirming stance.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Porter|first1=Muriel|title=First woman diocesan for Australia consecrated|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/7-march/news/world/first-woman-diocesan-for-australia-consecrated|work=Church Times|access-date=14 February 2016}}</ref> Bishop [[Greg Thompson (bishop)|Greg Thompson]] of the [[Diocese of Newcastle (Australia)|Diocese of Newcastle]] had taken a stance in favour of gay rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virtueonline.org/australian-anglican-church-throes-schism|title=Is the Australian Anglican Church in the Throes of Schism? – Virtueonline – The Voice for Global Orthodox Anglicanism|access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref>

In 2015, an arm of the [[Anglican Diocese of Brisbane|Anglican Church in Southern Queensland]] voted in favour of same-sex civil unions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Same-sex marriage: Arm of Anglican Church supports civil unions in Queensland|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/samesex-marriage-arm-of-anglican-church-supports-civil-unions-in-queensland/news-story/914883183990f524e74e6eee6ba1e68e|website=Courier Mail |publisher=Couriermail|access-date=11 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-26/anglican-leader-backs-qld-same-sex-unions-bill/3602450|title=Anglican leader backs Qld same-sex unions bill|date=26 October 2011|work=ABC News|access-date=11 October 2017}}</ref> Also, Bishop [[Kay Goldsworthy]] appointed an openly gay and partnered priest to another post.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/3743587/gay-clergy-tensions-before-anglican-conference/|title=Gay clergy 'tensions' before Anglican conference|last=McCarthy|first=Joanne|date=22 February 2016|website=Newcastle Herald|access-date=29 April 2016|archive-date=5 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305103725/https://www.theherald.com.au/story/3743587/gay-clergy-tensions-before-anglican-conference/|url-status=live}}</ref> In response, the Sydney synod passed a resolution criticising the actions of the Dioceses of Gippsland and Wangaratta, and declaring a break "of collegiality and fellowship" with the dioceses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sydney Synod focuses on same-sex marriage |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/23-october/news/world/sydney-synod-focuses-on-same-sex-marriage |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=www.churchtimes.co.uk}}</ref>  In 2016, the Bishop of Ballarat declared his support for same-sex marriage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-15/bishop-of-ballarat-declares-his-support-for-same-sex-marriage/7848728|title=Ballarat's Anglican Bishop declares support for same-sex marriage|newspaper=ABC News |date=15 September 2016|access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> In April 2016, a parish in the Diocese of Perth blessed the union of a same-sex couple.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-08/christian-priest-running-lgbti-parish-service/7910020|title=Anglican priest running LGBTI parish service in Perth|date=8 October 2016|work=ABC News|access-date=26 October 2016}}</ref> At its general synod in 2017, a resolution was passed criticising the Scottish Episcopal Church for its acceptance of same-sex marriage as well as an additional resolution calling for the church in Australia "to have a series of conversations on its understanding of sexuality".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premierchristianradio.com/News/World/Australian-Anglicans-criticises-Scottish-Church-for-departing-from-teachings-of-Christ|title=Australian Anglicans criticises Scottish Church for departing from teachings of Christ|date=8 September 2017|work=Premier Christian Radio|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> Also in 2017, the Diocese of Perth in Western Australia elected Bishop [[Kay Goldsworthy]] as its archbishop. Goldsworthy said that she supports an "inclusive" approach to same-sex marriage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/perth/perths-new-anglican-archbishop-kay-goldsworthy-supports-same-sex-marriage-ng-b88582694z|title=Perth's new Anglican archbishop supports gay marriage|date=29 August 2017|work=The West Australian|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> "Archbishop Goldsworthy revealed that she had voted Yes in the same-sex marriage survey."<ref name=":0" /> In 2022, Goldsworthy ordained an openly gay man in a [[Civil union|civil partnership]] in Perth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Same-sex relationships to be debated at next Australian General Synod |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/11-march/news/world/same-sex-relationships-to-be-debated-at-next-australian-general-synod |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.churchtimes.co.uk}}</ref> 

Regarding transgender issues, there are dioceses and congregations with serving transgender clergy. In 2017, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall asked for "prayerful support" for the Revd [[Jo Inkpin|Josephine Inkpin]] who had transitioned and [[come out]] as a transgender woman.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.anglican.ink/article/archbishops-statement-sex-change-priest|title=Archbishop's statement on sex-change priest|date=24 July 2017|work=Anglican Ink 2017|access-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730080712/http://www.anglican.ink/article/archbishops-statement-sex-change-priest|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> "The Archbishop of Brisbane Dr Phillip Aspinall supported Dr Inkpin and passed on her statement to clergy in July 2017, along with his wish that 'unhelpful speculation' might be avoided."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thesydney.news/2018/02/23/meet-australias-first-transgender-priest/|title=Meet Australia's First Transgender Priest|date=23 February 2018|work=The Sydney News|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref> Inkpin continues to serve in the Brisbane diocese.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.anglican.ink/article/statement-gender-transformation-dr-jo-inkpin|title=Statement on gender transformation from Dr Jo Inkpin|date=24 July 2017|work=Anglican Ink 2017|access-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011181452/http://www.anglican.ink/article/statement-gender-transformation-dr-jo-inkpin|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> She shared that the bishops and leaders of the Diocese of Brisbane "have assisted in arrangements for enabling [her] public recognition of gender." Inkpin, who is married to the Revd Penny Jones, one of the first female priests ordained in Australia, is the first openly transgender priest in Australia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-23/australias-first-transgender-priest/9477100|title=Meet Australia's first transgender priest|date=23 February 2018|work=ABC News|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref> The [[State Library of Queensland]] interviewed Inkpin and her wife about the intersection of gender, faith, religion and identity for their "Dangerous Women" podcast.<ref>{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/dangerouswomen|title=Dangerous Women Podcast. Episode 4.|author=Rev Dr Josephine Inkpin|date=2 October 2020|website=State Library of Queensland|access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref>

Controversy over LGBT issues caused a split from the church in 2022: a former Archbishop of Sydney, [[Glenn Davies]], alongside two congregations, left the Anglican Church of Australia to form the newly-formed [[Diocese of the Southern Cross]] which is affiliated to the conservative [[Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans]] (GAFCON).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Jordan |date=2022-08-16 |title=Australian Anglican church splits as conservatives form breakaway |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/anglican-church-splits-conservatives-form-australian-breakaway-20220816-p5bact.html |access-date= |website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Muriel |date=16 August 2022 |title=Gafcon forms new diocese in Australia — and is welcomed by the Archbishop of Sydney |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/19-august/news/world/gafcon-forms-new-diocese-in-australia-and-is-welcomed-by-the-archbishop-of-sydney |access-date= |website=[[Church Times]]}}</ref> The split was endorsed by the [[Anglican Bishop of Tasmania|Bishop of Tasmania]], [[Richard Condie (bishop)|Richard Condie]] and the [[Anglican Archbishop of Sydney|Archbishop of Sydney]] [[Kanishka Raffel]], but was described as "dangerous for the Church" by the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], [[Justin Welby]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 2022 |title=Anglican Bishop defends support for 'anti-gay' rebel church |work=[[Herald Sun]] |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fnews%2Ftasmania%2Ftasmanian-anglican-bishop-richard-condie-defends-support-for-breakaway-conservative-church%2Fnews-story%2F773e15eae8f134a42d8d385459de7d1c&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=dynamic-groupb-control-noscore&V21spcbehaviour=append}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Jordan |date=2022-10-06 |title=Anglican schism dangerous for the church, says Archbishop of Canterbury |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/anglican-schism-dangerous-for-the-church-says-archbishop-of-canterbury-20221006-p5bnub.html |access-date= |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

==Provinces and dioceses==
[[File:St pauls, melbourne.jpg|thumb|[[St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne]] seen from [[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders Street station]]]]
The whole church is led by the primate, [[Mark Short]], [[Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn|bishop of Canberra and Goulburn]].
The provinces and dioceses are listed with each diocese's bishop or archbishop:

* '''[[Anglican Province of South Australia|Province of South Australia]]''' (Metropolitan: [[Geoffrey Smith (bishop)|Geoffrey Smith]], [[Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide|Archbishop of Adelaide]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Adelaide|Diocese of Adelaide]] (Archbishop: [[Geoffrey Smith (bishop)|Geoffrey Smith]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of The Murray|Diocese of The Murray]] (Vacant)
** [[Anglican Diocese of Willochra|Diocese of Willochra]] ([[Jeremy James (bishop)|Jeremy James]])
* '''[[Province of New South Wales]]''' (Metropolitan: [[Kanishka Raffel]], Archbishop of Sydney)
** [[Anglican Diocese of Armidale|Diocese of Armidale]] ([[Rod Chiswell]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Bathurst|Diocese of Bathurst]] ([[Mark Calder]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn|Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn]] ([[Mark Short]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Grafton|Diocese of Grafton]] ([[Murray Harvey]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Newcastle (Australia)|Diocese of Newcastle]] ([[Peter Stuart (bishop)|Peter Stuart]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Riverina|Diocese of Riverina]] ([[Donald Kirk (bishop)|Donald Kirk]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Diocese of Sydney]] (Archbishop: [[Kanishka Raffel]])
* '''[[Province of Victoria]]''' (Metropolitan: [[Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne|Archbishop of Melbourne]], vacancy in see)
** [[Anglican Diocese of Ballarat|Diocese of Ballarat]] ([[Garry Weatherill]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Bendigo|Diocese of Bendigo]] ([[Matthew Brain]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Gippsland|Diocese of Gippsland]] ([[Richard Treloar]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Melbourne|Diocese of Melbourne]] (Archbishop: Vacant)
** [[Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta|Diocese of Wangaratta]] ([[Clarence Bester]])
* '''[[Province of Queensland]]''' (Metropolitan: [[Jeremy Greaves]], Archbishop of Brisbane)
** [[Anglican Diocese of Brisbane|Diocese of Brisbane]] (Archbishop: Jeremy Greaves)
** [[Anglican Diocese of North Queensland|Diocese of North Queensland]] ([[Keith Joseph (bishop)|Keith Joseph]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory|Diocese of the Northern Territory]] ([[Greg Anderson (bishop)|Greg Anderson]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Rockhampton|Diocese of Rockhampton]] ([[Peter Grice]])
* '''[[Province of Western Australia]]''' (Metropolitan: [[Kay Goldsworthy]], Archbishop of Perth)
** [[Anglican Diocese of Bunbury|Diocese of Bunbury]] ([[Ian Coutts (bishop)|Ian Coutts]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of North West Australia|Diocese of North West Australia]] ([[Darrell Parker]])
** [[Anglican Diocese of Perth|Diocese of Perth]] (Archbishop: Kay Goldsworthy)
* '''Extraprovincial diocese'''
**[[Anglican Diocese of Tasmania|Diocese of Tasmania]] ([[Richard Condie (bishop)|Richard Condie]])

===Map of dioceses===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''KEY to province colours'''
| {{Color box|#F67C60|border=darkgray}} New South Wales
| {{Color box|#B2D025|border=darkgray}} Victoria
| {{Color box|#8FBCE1|border=darkgray}} Queensland
| {{Color box|#FBA064|border=darkgray}} Western Australia
| {{Color box|#BC9EEE|border=darkgray}} South Australia
| {{Color box|#FF99FF|border=darkgray}} Extraprovincial
|}
{{Image label begin|image=ACA-dioceses-blank.png|alt=Australia map. The six provinces (shown in colour) and 23 dioceses of the Anglican Church of Australia|width=800}}
{{Image label|x=0.798|y=0.828|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Tasmania|Tasmania]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.839|y=0.861|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St David's Cathedral, Hobart|†]]'''</big>}}

{{Image label|x=0.909|y=0.618|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|SYDNEY]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.926|y=0.634|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney|‡]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.930|y=0.570|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Newcastle (Australia)|Newcastle]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.948|y=0.585|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.895|y=0.644|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.838|y=0.657|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn|Canberra &<br />Goulburn]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.986|y=0.480|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.965|y=0.500|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Grafton|Grafton]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.887|y=0.611|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[All Saints' Cathedral, Bathurst|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.805|y=0.550|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Bathurst|Bathurst]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.795|y=0.653|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St Alban's Cathedral, Griffith|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.720|y=0.600|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Riverina|Riverina]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.945|y=0.511|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St Peter's Cathedral, Armidale|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.878|y=0.502|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Armidale|Armidale]]'''}}

{{Image label|x=0.783|y=0.738|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne|‡]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.745|y=0.755|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Melbourne|MELBOURNE]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.754|y=0.733|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[Christ Church Cathedral, Ballarat|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.700|y=0.720|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Ballarat|Ballarat]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.765|y=0.712|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St Paul's Cathedral, Bendigo|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.695|y=0.677|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Bendigo|Bendigo]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.831|y=0.745|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St Paul's Cathedral, Sale|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.845|y=0.748|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Gippsland|Gippsland]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.817|y=0.710|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[Holy Trinity Cathedral, Wangaratta|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.830|y=0.713|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta|Wangaratta]]'''}}

{{Image label|x=0.971|y=0.442|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St John's Cathedral (Brisbane)|‡]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.770|y=0.420|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Brisbane|BRISBANE]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.803|y=0.211|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St James' Cathedral, Townsville|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.660|y=0.230|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of North Queensland|North Queensland]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.920|y=0.330|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St Paul's Cathedral, Rockhampton|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.725|y=0.330|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Rockhampton|Rockhampton]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.444|y=0.048|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[Christ Church Cathedral, Darwin|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.448|y=0.220|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory|Northern Territory]]'''}}

{{Image label|x=0.070|y=0.562|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St George's Cathedral, Perth|‡]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.190|y=0.545|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Perth|PERTH]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.065|y=0.603|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St Boniface Cathedral, Bunbury|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.082|y=0.614|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Bunbury|Bunbury]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.041|y=0.474|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Geraldton|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.150|y=0.360|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of North West Australia|North West Australia]]'''}}

{{Image label|x=0.628|y=0.643|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide|‡]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.560|y=0.645|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Adelaide|ADELAIDE]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.614|y=0.604|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[SS Peter and Paul Cathedral, Port Pirie|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.505|y=0.495|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of Willochra|Willochra]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.645|y=0.653|scale=800|text=<big>'''[[St John the Baptist Cathedral, Murray Bridge|†]]'''</big>}}
{{Image label|x=0.610|y=0.685|scale=800|text='''[[Anglican Diocese of The Murray|The Murray]]'''}}
{{Image label end}}

A number of former dioceses have been merged into the current diocese or have formed other Anglican churches:
* [[Anglican Diocese of Carpentaria|Carpentaria]] (formerly part of the Province of Queensland, 1900–1996, and now part of the Diocese of North Queensland)
* [[Anglican Diocese of Kalgoorlie|Kalgoorlie]] (formerly part of the Province of Western Australia, 1914–1973, and now part of the Diocese of Perth)
* New Guinea (formerly part of the Province of Queensland, 1898–1976, and now the [[Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea]])
* [[Anglican Diocese of St Arnaud|St Arnaud]] (formerly part of the Province of Victoria, 1926–1976, and now part of the Diocese of Bendigo)

== Ecumenical relations ==
The church is a member of the [[Christian Conference of Asia]].

== Relation with the Anglican realignment ==
The [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney]] has been a leading name in the [[Anglican realignment]], since they first opposed the sexuality policies of the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]] of the United States and the [[Anglican Church of Canada]]. Archbishop [[Peter Jensen (bishop)|Peter Jensen]] attended the first [[Global Anglican Future Conference]], in June 2008, in [[Jerusalem]], and was the chairman of GAFCON. The [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney]] and the [[Anglican Diocese of North West Australia]] have declared themselves in full communion with the [[Anglican Church in North America]], started in June 2009, which represents [[Anglican realignment]] in United States and Canada.<ref>[http://sydneyanglicans.net/news/stories/we_see_them_and_embrace_them We see them and embrace them, 28 October 2009]</ref><ref>[http://acl.asn.au/diocese-of-nw-australia-recognises-acna-as-a-member-church-of-the-anglican-communion/ Diocese of NW Australia recognizes ACNA as "a member church of the Anglican Communion", Anglican Church League Website, 5 October 2014]</ref>

The [[Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans]] was launched in Australia on 26 March 2015, in a conference held in [[Melbourne]] that reunited 460 members, including 40 from [[New Zealand]], and was attended by Archbishop [[Eliud Wabukala]], from the [[Anglican Church of Kenya]], their international chairman, Archbishop [[Stanley Ntagali]], from the [[Anglican Church of Uganda]], and Archbishop [[Glenn Davies]], from the [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney]]. The then archdeacon of the [[Anglican Diocese of Melbourne]], now bishop [[Richard Condie (bishop)|Richard Condie]], of the [[Anglican Diocese of Tasmania]], became chairman of FCA Australia.<ref>{{cite web|author=Russell Powell |url=http://sydneyanglicans.net/news/fca-underway |title=FCA underway  |publisher=Sydneyanglicans.net |access-date=4 November 2015}}</ref>

The Anglican Church of Australia passed a motion at their General Synod on 7 September 2017, condemning the [[Scottish Episcopal Church]] decision to approve same-sex marriage as "contrary to the doctrine of our church and the teaching of Christ", and declaring itself in "impaired communion" with the province. It also expressed "support for those Anglicans who have left or will need to leave (...) because of its redefinition of marriage and those who struggle and remain", and presented their prayers for the return of SEC "to the doctrine of Christ in this matter" and the restoration of the impaired communion.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

The Anglican Church of Australia was represented at [[Global Anglican Future Conference|GAFCON III]], held in [[Jerusalem]] on 17–22 June 2018, by a 218 members delegation, which included Archbishop [[Glenn Davies]] of [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Sydney]] and bishops [[Richard Condie (bishop)|Richard Condie]] of [[Anglican Diocese of Tasmania|Tasmania]], [[Gary Nelson (bishop)|Gary Nelson]] of [[Anglican Diocese of North West Australia|North West Australia]] and [[Ian Palmer (bishop)|Ian Palmer]] of [[Anglican Diocese of Bathurst|Bathurst]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://anglicanink.com/article/gafcon-iii-largest-pan-anglican-gathering-toronto-congress-1963 |title=GAFCON III largest pan-Anglican gathering since Toronto Congress of 1963, Anglican Ink, 20 June 2018 |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-date=19 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819051354/http://anglicanink.com/article/gafcon-iii-largest-pan-anglican-gathering-toronto-congress-1963 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://acl.asn.au/australian-diocesan-bishops-speak-on-the-gafcon-2018-conference-statement/ Australian Diocesan Bishops speak on the Gafcon 2018 conference statement], Anglican Church League, 23 June 2018.</ref>

In 2022 the [[Diocese of the Southern Cross]], established as a company, became the first Anglican diocese in Australia to form outside the Anglican Church of Australia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Muriel |author-link=Muriel Porter|title=Gafcon forms new diocese in Australia — and is welcomed by the Archbishop of Sydney |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/19-august/news/world/gafcon-forms-new-diocese-in-australia-and-is-welcomed-by-the-archbishop-of-sydney |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=[[Church Times]] |date=16 August 2022}}</ref><ref name=":1">Smith Geoffrey, "[https://anglicanorgau.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Statement-from-the-Primate-re-Diocese-of-Southern-Cross.pdf A statement from the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia on the launch of the company, the Diocese of The Southern Cross]", Anglican Church of Australia, 18 August 2022</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity|Australia}}{{Wikiquote|Ordination of women}}
*[[Christianity in Australia]]
*[[Anglican Communion sexual abuse cases]]
*[[List of the first women ordained as priests in the Anglican Church of Australia in 1992]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book
|last1=Blombery
|first1=Tricia
|year=1996
|title=The Anglicans in Australia
|location=Canberra
|publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service
|isbn=978-0-644-45913-6
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Breward
|first1=Ian
|title=A History of the Australian Churches
}}
* {{cite book
|year=1996
|editor1-last=Bunting
|editor1-first=Ian
|title=Celebrating the Anglican Way
|location=London
|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton
|isbn=978-0-340-64268-9
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Davis
|first1=John
|year=1993
|title=Australian Anglicans and their Constitution
|location=Canberra
|publisher=Acorn Press
|isbn=978-0-908284-14-6
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Elkin
|first1=A. P.
|year=1955
|title=The Diocese of Newcastle: A History
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Harris
|first1=John
|title=One Blood: 200 Years of Aboriginal Encounter with Christianity
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Hilliard
|first1=David
|year=1986
|title=Godliness and Good Order: A History of the Anglican Church in South Australia
|location=Netley, South Australia
|publisher=Wakefield Press
|isbn=978-0-949268-45-7
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Judd
|first1=Stephen
|last2=Cable
|first2=Kenneth J.
|title=Sydney Anglicans: A History of the Diocese
|location=Sydney
|publisher=Anglican Information Office
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Kaye
|first1=Bruce Norman
|year=1995
|title=A Church Without Walls: Being Anglican in Australia
|location=North Blackburn, Victoria
|publisher=Dove
|isbn=978-1-86371-557-7
}}
* {{cite book
|year=1997
|editor1-last=Porter
|editor1-first=Brian
|title=Melbourne Anglican: The Diocese of Melbourne, 1847–1997
|location=Melbourne
|publisher=Mitre Books
|isbn=978-1-86407-181-8
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Porter
|first1=Muriel
|author-link1=Muriel Porter
|year=1989
|title=Women in the Church: The Great Ordination Debate in Australia
|location=Ringwood, Victoria
|publisher=Penguin Books
|isbn=978-0-14-013041-6
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Porter
|first1=Muriel
|author-link1=Muriel Porter
|year=2006
|title=The New Puritans: The Rise of Fundamentalism in the Anglican Church
|location=Carlton, Victoria
|publisher=Melbourne University Publishing
|isbn=978-0-522-85184-7
}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.anglican.org.au}}
* [http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=A2&view=prov Anglican Communion: Anglican Church of Australia]

{{Anglican Church of Australia}}
{{Religion in Australia}}
{{Anglican_Churches}}
{{World Council of Churches}}
{{Primates of Australia}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anglican Church Of Australia}}
[[Category:Anglican Church of Australia| ]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Anglican Communion church bodies|Australia]]
[[Category:Members of the World Council of Churches]]
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1962]]