Who is the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia?

The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia is Bishop Mark Short, who is also the Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn. The Primate serves as the national spiritual and administrative leader of the Church, which is present in 23 dioceses across the country, and speaks on its behalf through public statements published on the Church's official website.

The Current Primate

The Anglican Church of Australia's website identifies the Primate as Bishop Mark Short, Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn. He is referred to in official statements as the Right Reverend Dr Mark Short.

This means the person holding the national role also continues to lead a local diocese — the Primate is not a separate full-time office detached from diocesan ministry.

What the Role Involves

The Primate functions as the national figurehead and representative of the Anglican Church of Australia. Based on how the role appears on the Church's website, its responsibilities include:

• Speaking for the Church nationally — issuing statements on events in Australia and overseas
• Representing the Church in public life — including roundtable discussions and public engagements
• Providing national leadership alongside the Church's bishops, priests, and other ordained clergy

The life and mission of the Church is guided collectively by ordained clergy — bishops, priests, and deacons — with the Primate serving a coordinating and representative function at the national level rather than governing each diocese directly.

Statements and Public Communication

One of the most visible parts of the Primate's role is issuing public statements, which the Church publishes on its website. Documented examples include:

The website also reported on a roundtable discussion with the new Primate of Australia, covering topics such as the Hope25 outreach initiative, ministry to First Nations people, and the impact of the Bondi Beach attacks — described under the headline "'The language of hope speaks powerfully' says the new Primate of Australia."

How the Primate Relates to the Wider Church

The Anglican Church of Australia describes itself as present in communities large and small across 23 dioceses. Each diocese has its own bishop — for example, the Diocese of Adelaide elected Bishop Bradly Billings as its 11th Archbishop in December 2025, and the Diocese of Tasmania is led by Bishop Richard Condie.

The Primate's role sits above this diocesan structure at the national level, while day-to-day ministry continues through parish communities, education, and welfare work in each region.

Where to Find Current Information

The official website (anglican.org.au) is the primary source for:

• Statements issued by the Primate
• News about the Primate's engagements and visits
• Information about the Church's structure, dioceses, and national initiatives

Because the Primate's statements and activities are updated regularly, checking the website directly is the most reliable way to confirm current information about the role and the person holding it.