Denominations contain members of 'Christ's Church' but also nominal members. The Anglican Communion is a worldwide fellowship of independent national and regional churches that trace their origins back to the Church of England. The Anglican Church of Australia is a fellowship of twenty four independent dioceses, within the Anglican Communion. These dioceses are bound together by an agreed Constitution governing doctrine and practice. Ordinances of the General Synod, the national governing body, are only binding on a diocese when accepted by the diocesan synod.
Dioceses are geographical regions which are divided into smaller areas called parishes.
Under the parish system ministers are appointed and local governing bodies are elected. Their purpose is to disciple and care for church members, and to declare the Gospel to the unchurched in an area. Church members often travel some distance passing through a number of parishes to reach the church of their choice. The generations raised in the Anglican Church do not remain committed to their denomination. If they continue to attend church they choose to affiliate with churches to their liking and which they perceive to be geared to meeting their needs.