Canons and Rules
One of the functions of the General Synod is to make Canons and Rules relating to the order and good government of this Church including Canons in respect of ritual, ceremonial and discipline. The Constitution, Canons and Rules of the Anglican Church of Australia are published after the General Synod Session in ‘The Green Book’.
Canons affecting the order and good government of a diocese require adoption in that diocese for it to come into effect. Not every Australian diocese has adopted the legislation listed below. To clarify whether any particular Canon has effect in a diocese, please contact the General Synod Office on (02) 8267 2700.
Canons
This page lists Canons made by the General Synod which are in effect. A search function is provided through which a particular canon can be found by searching by Year, Canon Title, Purpose or Keyword.
For a full chronological listing of all legislation passed by the General Synod since 1962, please see Resources/Legislation.
- Admission to Holy Communion Canon 1973
- Allocation of Funds Canon 1995
- Alternative Tables of Lessons Canon 1985
- Anglican Board of Mission - Australia Canon 2001
- Appellate Tribunal Canon 1981
- Appellate Tribunal Procedure Canon 1962
- Archdeacons Canon 1995
- Assistant Bishops' Canon (The) 1966
- Australian College of Theology Canon 2007
- Australian Prayer Book Canon 1977
- Authorised Lay Ministry Canon 1992
- Bishop (Incapacity) Canon 1995
- Board of Assessors (Appellate Tribunal) Canon 1962
- Canon Concerning Authority on Certain Matters 1989
- Canon Concerning Baptism 1992
- Canon Concerning Confessions 1989
- Canon Concerning Confessions 1989 (Vulnerable Persons)
- Canon Concerning Confirmation 1992
- Canon Concerning Holy Orders 2004
- Canon Concerning Services 1992
- Canon Concerning Vesture of Ministers 1992
- Canon for the Admission of Children to Holy Communion 1981
- Canon Law Repeal Canon 1989
- Chancellors Canon 2001
- Confirmation of Bishops of Extra-Provincial Dioceses Canon 1966
- Consecration of Bishops Canon 1966
- Constitution of a Diocese Alteration Canon 1995
- Defence Force Board Canon 1985
- Defence Force Ministry Canon 1985
- Disclosure of Information Canon 2017
- Episcopal Standards (Child Protection) Canon 2017
- Episcopal Standards Canon 2007
- Financial Protection Canon 1995
- General Synod Diocesan Boundary Ratification Canon 1973
- General Synod Presence Canon 2022
- Holy Communion Canon 2001
- Holy Orders (Reception into Ministry) Canon 2004
- Holy Orders (Removal from Exercise of Ministry) Canon 2017
- Interpretation Canon 1995
- Law of the Church of England Clarification Canon 1992
- Liturgy Publishing Canon 2001
- Long Service Leave Canon 2010
- Marriage of Divorced Persons Canon 1981
- Matrimony (Prohibited Relationships) Canon 1981
- Ministry to the Sick Canon 1981
- Missionary Dioceses Canon 1977
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council Canon 2014
- National Home Mission Fund Canon 1985
- National Register Canon 2007
- Oaths Affirmations Declarations and Assents Canon 1992
- Offences Canon 1962
- Order of Deaconesses Canon 1969
- Ordination of Women to the Office of Deacon Canon 1985
- Ordination Service for Deacons Canon 1985
- Prayer Book for Australia Canon 1995
- Primate Canon 1985
- Protection of the Environment Canon 2007
- Reception Canon 1981
- Redress for Survivors of Abuse Canon 2017
- Safe Ministry to Children Canon 2017
- See Finance and Information Canon 1966
- Solemnization of Matrimony Canon 1981
- Special Tribunal Canon 2007
- Strategic Issues, Commissions, Task Forces and Networks Canon 1998
- The Anglican Church of Australian Canon of 1966
- Trust Corporation Canon 2010
- Use of Church Names Canon 1989
Rules
The General Synod makes Rules under the Constitution for the conduct of its business.
Note: Rules VII, X, XI and XIV have been repealed.
- I. Rules for the Conduct of all business coming before the GS of ACA to be known as Standing Orders
- II. Rules for the Appointment of a Standing Committee of General Synod and defining its Powers and Duties
- III. Rules for the Conduct of Elections ordered to be made by the General Synod
- IV. Rules for Elections under Section 22 of the Constitution
- IX. Procedure to be followed under Section 28(3)(ii) and (iii) of the Constitution
- V. Rule re Statement made under Section 4 of the Constitution
- VI. Rule re Deviations under Section 4 of the Constitution
- VIII. Rule re Petitition under Section 28(2)
- XII Rule re Declaration under Section 30 Proviso (b) of the Constitution
- XIII. Rule re Declaration under Section 30 Proviso (c) of the Constitution
- XIX. Rule re Interpretation
- XV. Rules under Section 32 of the Constitution
- XVI. Rules Relating to Charges Against a Clerk
- XVII. Rule under Section 60 of the Constitution
- XVIII. Rule under Section 63 of the Constitution
- XX. Rules with Respect to Alterations of the Constitution
- XXI. Rule with Respect to Adoption of General Synod Canons
- XXII. Rule with Respect to Indigenous Members of the House of Bishops
- XXIII. Rule under Section 1(C) Admission to Holy Communion Canon 1973
- XXIV. Rule Relating to Administrative Services of the General Synod