The Diocesan Women's Commission was established by Bishop Kevin Manning in October 2002.

The Commission has two main roles:

1. To promote ongoing dialogue and integration of ideas pertaining to women's participation in the Catholic Church in Parramatta.
2. To assist the Bishop in the implementation of the proposals of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference on women's participation.

The decision to form the Diocesan Women's Commission came from an initiative of the Australian Bishops on the participation of women in the Church in Australia.

The fruits of the consultation were embodied in the report Woman and Man, One in Christ Jesus, published in 1999.

The composition of the Diocesan Women's Commission reflects the diversity of the Diocese. Different age groups, family settings, geographical location, ethnic background and work situations are represented.

All the members have had some parish/community involvement and some formation in theology or ministry.