This page lists Canons made by the General Synod.
The Canons below are arranged in chronological order by date of passing. Where a Canon has been entirely replaced (e.g. Anglican Board of Mission - Australia) by a new Canon, it is listed according to the date of the new Canon. Consequently, the sequence of Canon numbers is often incomplete due to this process of updating legislation.
Bills and Canons for the alteration of the Constitution passed before 2007 that are not in effect or in full operation are not listed here.
Consolidated versions of Canons amended at the 15th Session of the General Synod are listed at the end of the materials on this page.
Click on a Canon in the list to download its text.
Please be aware that Canons affecting the order and good government of a diocese require adoption by a diocese to have effect in that diocese. Not every Australian diocese has adopted the legislation listed below. If you wish to clarify whether or not any particular Canon has effect in a diocese, please contact the General Synod Office on (02) 8267 2700.
Alterations to the Constitution currently requiring assent are listed separately.
Legislation passed by the General Synod is consolidated in The Constitution, Canons and Rules of the Anglican Church of Australia - 2010 9th edition (Sydney: General Synod Office, 2010). This publication is often referred to as"The Green Book".
All of the legislation of the General Synod, in the form in which it was passed, has been published in the Proceedings of each session of the Synod.
Click here to view the Proceedings of the Fifteenth General Synod 2010.
1962
Corporate Trustees Canon 1962 Canon 02, 1962 A canon regarding Corporate Trustees under s.64 of the Constitution
Offences Canon, 1962 - 1981 Canon 04, 1962 A canon to specify offences under s.54, 55 and 56 of the Constitution
Board of Assessors (Appellate Tribunal) Canon, 1962 Canon 05, 1962 A canon providing for the appointment of a Board of Assessors in relation to the Appellate Tribunal
Appellate Tribunal Procedure Canon 1962 Canon 06, 1962 A canon prescribing matters incidental to the exercise of jurisdiction by the Special Tribunal and the Appellate Tribunal (s.59 of the Constitution)
1966 - 2nd General Synod
Consecration of Bishops Canon, 1966-1969 Canon 3, 1966 A canon to provide for the consecration of bishops
The Assistant Bishops' Canon, 1966 Canon 4, 1966 A canon to regulate the appointment of Assistant Bishops
Confirmation of Bishops of Extra-Provincial Dioceses Canon, 1966 Canon 9, 1966 Canon for the confirmation of the person elected as the bishop of a diocese which is not part of a province
See Finance and Information Canon, 1966 Canon 14, 1966 A canon to regulate the provision of information regarding the remuneration and emoluments of the bishop of a see
Australian College of Theology Canon, 1966 Canon 15, 1966 and as amended by Canon 9, 1973; Canon 16, 1981; Canon 16, 1992; Canon 1, 1995; Canon 9, 2004 A canon to repeal the Australian College of Theology Canon 1962 and to provide a new canon for the good order and government of the Australian College of Theology
The Anglican Church of Australia Canon, 1966 Canon 16, 1966 For the alteration of the name of the Church to the Anglican Church of Australia
1969 - 3rd General Synod
Order of Deaconesses Canon, 1969 Canon 7, 1969 A canon to regulate and promote the order of deaconesses
1973 - 4th General Synod
General Synod Diocesan Boundary Ratification Canon 1973 Canon 10, 1973 A canon to provide for the ratification of the surrender or alteration of the territory of a diocese
Admission to Holy Communion Canon, 1973 Canon 14, 1973 A canon for admission to holy communion
1977 - 5th General Synod
Australian Prayer Book Canon 1977 Canon 1, 1977 A canon to authorise the use of 'An Australian Prayer Book' and for related purposes
Missionary Dioceses Canon, 1977-1995 Canon 4, 1977 and as amended by Canon 10, 1985 and Canon 11, 1995 A canon to provide for the formation and administration of missionary dioceses
1981 - 6th General Synod
Solemnization of Matrimony Canon 1981 Canon 3, 1981 A canon concerning the solemnization of matrimony
Ministry to the Sick Canon 1981 Canon 5, 1981 A canon to authorise the use of certain forms of service for ministry to the sick
Appellate Tribunal Canon, 1981-1998 Canon 12, 1981 A canon to repeal the Appellate Tribunal Canon 1962 and to provide for the appointment of members to the Appellate Tribunal
Matrimony (Prohibited Relationships) Canon 1981 Canon 15, 1981 A canon concerning Canon 99 of the Canons Ecclesiastical made in 1603 and the prohibition of the solemnization of matrimony between persons within certain prohibited relationships
Reception Canon 1981 Canon 1, 1985 an amended by Canon 14, 1995 A canon to authorise the use of a service for the reception into communicant membership of this Church of baptised persons who were formerly communicant members of other churches
1985 - 7th General Synod
Admission of Children to Holy Communion Canon 6, 1985 A canon for the admission of children to holy communion
Marriage of Divorced Persons Canon 1981 Canon 7, 1985 A canon to regulate the practice and procedure of this church with respect to the marriage of divorced persons
National Home Mission Fund Canon 1985 Canon 8, 1985 A canon to provide for the National Home Mission Fund and for other purposes
Primate Canon, 1985 Canon 15, 1985 as amended by Canon 2, 1992; Canon 7, 2001 and Canon 8, 2004 A canon to provide for the election and tenure of office of the Primate
Ordination Service for Deacons Canon 1985 Canon 16, 1985 A canon to authorise the use of a form of service for the ordination of deacons
Alternative Tables of Lessons Canon 1985 Canon 17, 1985 and amended by Canon 15, 1992 A canon to authorise the use of certain alternative tables of lessons (lectionary)
Ordination of Women to the Office of Deacon Canon 1985 Canon 18, 1985 A canon to provide for the ordination of women to the office of deacon and for other purposes
Defence Force Ministry Canon 1985 Canon 19, 1985 as amended by Canon 6, 2001 A canon to provide for the office of bishop to defence force, for licensing of chaplain service serving in the defence force and for other purposes
Defence Force Board Canon 1985 Canon 20, 1985 as amended by Canon 2, 1995; Canon 4, 1998 and Canon 6, 2001 A canon to establish the Defence Force Board
1989 - 8th General Synod
Use of Church Names Canon 1989 Canon 10, 1989 A canon to regulate the use of names and descriptions relating to the Anglican Church of Australia
Canon concerning Authority on Certain Matters 1989 Canon 9, 1992 A canon concerning authority on certain matters
Canon concerning Confessions 1989 Canon 10, 1992 A canon concerning confessions
1992 - 9th General Synod
Long Service Leave Canon 1992-1995 Canon 8, 1992 and amended by Canon 6, 1995 A canon to repeal the long service leave canon 1966-1987 and to make new provision for long service leave for members of the clergy and other purposes
Canon Law Repeal Canon 1989 Canon 11, 1992 A canon to repeal certain canon law (concerning Canons of 1603)
Authorised Lay Ministry Canon 1992 Canon 17, 1992 A canon concerning authorised lay ministry
Law of the Church of England Clarification Canon 1992 Canon 18, 1992 A canon to clarify the operation of certain law of the Church of England applicable to and in force in the several dioceses of the Anglican Church of Australia (concerning the ordination of women to the office of priest)
Canon concerning Services 1992 Canon 13, 1998 A canon concerning Services of the Church
Canon concerning Confirmation 1992 Canon 14, 1998 A canon concerning confirmation
Oaths Affirmations Declarations and Assents Canon 1992 Canon 15, 1998 A canon concerning oaths, affirmations, declarations and assents (by clergy concerning canonical obedience, doctrine and formularies and constitution and laws)
1995 - 10th General Synod
Constitution of a Diocese Alteration Canon 1995 Canon 3, 1995 A canon to prescribe a method of alteration of the constitution of a diocese
Allocation of Funds Canon 1995 Canon 7, 1995 A canon to authorise the dispersal of surplus funds held within the accounts of General Synod for which no other provision has been made
Interpretation Canon 1995 Canon 10, 1995 A canon concerning the interpretation of canons
Archdeacons Canon 1995 Canon 12, 1995 A canon concerning archdeacons
Prayer Book for Australia Canon 1995 Canon 13, 1995 A canon to authorise use of A Prayer Book for Australia and for related purposes
Financial Protection Canon 1995 Canon 16, 1995 A canon to assist in the responsible financial management of the Church and its associated organisations
Bishop (Incapacity) Canon 1995 Canon 18, 1995 and Canon 1, 1998 A canon to provide for the vacation of the See of a bishop incapable of fulfilling office and for other purposes
Canon concerning Vesture of Ministers 1992 Canon 19, 1995 A canon concerning Vesture (attire during public worship) of Ministers
1998 - 11th General Synod
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council Canon 1998 Canon 17, 1998 and amended Canon 1, 2004 A canon to make provision for formalising a Council to represent the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the Church
Strategic Issues, Commissions, Task Forces and Networks Canon 1998 Canon 19, 1998 and amended by Canon 12, 2001; Canon 4, 2004 and Canon 6, 2004 A canon to enable the consideration of strategic issues and for the appointment of task forces, expert reference commissions and general synond networks
2001 - 12th General Synod
Chancellors Canon 2001 Canon 4, 2001 A canon to provide for the appointment of chancellors (legal advisers) and for other purposes
Liturgy Publication Canon 2001 Canon 5, 2001 A canon to provide for the publishing of liturgical texts and other material
Anglican Board of Mission - Australia Canon 2001 Canon 9, 2001 A canon to repeal the Anglican Board of Mission - Australia Canon 1995-1998 and to make provision for the continued operation of the Anglican Board of Mission - Australia as an organisation incorporated under Corporations Law
Holy Communion Canon 2001 Canon 10, 2001 A canon concerning the Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper 1992(-2001)
Long Service Leave (Amendment) Canon 2001 Canon 11, 2001 A canon to amend the Long Service Leave Canon 1992 as to supplementary allowance and payment in lieu on death
2004 - 13th General Synod
Special Tribunal Canon 2004 Canon 7, 2004 A canon to provide for the investigation of matters which may become the subject of a charge before the Special Tribunal and to provide for the appointment and procedure of the Special Tribunal
Holy Orders, Relinquishment and Deposition Canon 2004 Canon 10, 2004 A canon providing for the relinquishment of and deposition from holy orders
National Register Canon 2004 Canon 12, 2004 A canon providing for a national register of clergy and lay persons
2007 - 14th General Synod
Canon 1 Primate Canon
Saturday 20 October
Canon 2 Constitutional Amendment (Diocesan Councils) Sunday 21 October
Canon 3 Amendment to Strategic Issues, Commissions, Task Forces and Networks Canon
Sunday 21 October
Provisional Canon 1 The Solemnization of Matrimony Canon Amendment Canon
Monday 22 October
Canon 4 Financial Protection Canon Amendment Canon
Tuesday 23 October
Canon 5 Offences Canon Amendment Canon Tuesday 23 October
Canon 6 Constitutional Amendment (Chapter IX) Canon
Wednesday 24 October
Canon 7 Australian College of Theology
Wednesday 24 October
Canon 8 Constitutional Amendment, Section 10 Canon
Wednesday 24 October
Canon 9 Long Service Leave Canon
Canon 10
Canon Concerning Holy Orders, 2004
Thursday 25 October
Canon 11 Protection of the Environment Canon 2007
Thursday 25 October
Canon 12 Special Tribunal Canon Repeal Canon 2007
Thursday 25 October
Canon 13 Special Tribunal Canon 2007
Thursday 25 October
Canon 14 Episcopal Standard Canon 2007
Thursday 25 October
Canon 15 National Register Canon 2007
Thursday 25 October
National Register Protocol 1 Inclusion of Information
Guidelines for Register Administration
National Register Protocol 2 Access and Disclosure of Information
Guidelines for Register Administration
National Register Protocol 3 Ascertaining Information
Guidelines for Register Administration
National Register Protocol 4 Amending Information
Guidelines for Register Administration
Canon 16 Constitutional Amendment (Section 54A) Canon 2007
Thursday 25 October
Canon 17 Holy Orders (Reception into Ministry) Canon 2004
Thursday 25 October
Canon 18 Constitution Amendment (Suspension of Bishops) Canon 2007
Thursday 25 October
Canon 19 Constitution Amendment (Provinces and Dioceses) Canon 2007
Thursday 25 October
2010 - 15th General Synod
Canon 1 Constitution Amendment (Diocesan Council) Canon 2010, Canon 1, 2010 (Has not come into effect)
Canon 2 Constitution Amendment (Diocesan Council) Repeal Canon 2010, Canon 2, 2010 (Has not come into effect)
Canon 3 Constitution Amendment (Appellate Tribunal Part Heard Matters) Canon 2010, Canon 3, 2010 (Has not come into effect)
Canon 4 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council Canon 2010, Canon 4, 2010 (Has not come into effect)
Canon 5 Appellate Tribunal Amendment (Part Heard Matters) Canon 2010, Canon 5, 2010 (This Canon comes into force on the day following
the date on which the Constitution Amendment (Appellate Tribunal - Part Heard Matters) Canon 2010 commences)
Canon 6 Trust Corporation Canon 2010, Canon 6, 2010 (Effective - Thursday 23 September 2010)
Canon 7 Long Service Leave Canon 2010, Canon 7, 2010 (Has not come into effect)
Canon 8 Constitution Amendment (Section 30) Canon 2010, Canon 8, 2010 (Has not come into effect)
Canon 9 Constitution Amendment (Sentences of Tribunals) Canon 2010, Canon 9, 2010 (Has not come into effect)
Canon 10 Constitution of the Province of Western Australia 1914-1984 Amendment Canon 2009 (No 1 of 2009) Ratification Canon 2010, Canon 10, 2010 (Effective - Thursday 23 September 2010)
Canon 11 Special Tribunal Canon 2007 Amendment (No 2) Canon 2010, Canon 11, 2010 (Effective - Thursday 23 September 2010)
Canon 12 Constitution Amendment (Chapter V) Canon 2010, Canon 12, 2010 (Has not come into effect)
Canon 13 The National Register Canon 2007 Amendment Canon 2010, Canon 13, 2010 (Effective - Thursday 23 September 2010)
Canon 14 Special Tribunal Canon Amendment (No 1) Canon 2010, Canon 14, 2010 (Effective - Thursday 23 September 2010)
Consolidated Canons
Consolidated versions of Canons amended at the 15th Session of the General Synod are listed below:
Appellate Tribunal Canon 1981 - Canon 12, 1981
Special Tribunal Canon 2007 - Canon 13, 2007
The National Register Canon 2007 - Canon 15 2007