Constitution
The Australian College of Theology (ACT) was established by the General Synod of the then Church of England in Australia and Tasmania in 1891. It subsequently evolved from an exclusively Anglican foundation to an Australian government approved higher education provider, leading and fostering a robust consortium of independent theological colleges and Christian higher education institutions affiliated with ACT.
The objects of ACT are to foster and direct the systematic study of theology and other disciplines related to Christian ministry, thought and practice, primarily through Affiliated Colleges, by teaching and research in a manner and at a level comparable with the standards of Australian universities.
ACT’s chief purpose is to collaborate with its Affiliated Colleges to equip people to faithfully serve God’s church and God’s world primarily by the provision of quality-assured courses in theology and ministry.
At its Annual General Meeting on the 3rd of May 2022, the members of the Australian College of Theology Ltd unanimously approved a significantly revised constitution. This approval followed its earlier approval by the Standing Committee, and unanimous endorsement by the House of Bishops, of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia.
The 2022 revised constitution provides for members from a much wider group of current ACT stakeholders, including Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, and mission organisations such as CMS Australia, OMF International and Pioneers Ministries. The new constitution incorporates a statement of Christian identity for the first time and governance improvements at many points.
Further minor amendments to the Constitution were approved at the Annual General Meeting on the 7th of May 2024 and a subsequent Extraordinary General Meeting, to remove transitional provision and to make some additional improvements.