He studied at Sydney University then taught at Leeton, New South Wales in the Anglican Diocese of Riverina, for four years.
When he returned to Sydney, Hale studied at Moore Theological College and his first position was at St Paul's Anglican Church, Castle Hill.
[clarification needed][2] In 1988, Hale was invited to Melbourne by Archbishop David Penman to head up a new youth department where he served for eight years.
He later became Vicar at Diamond Creek then Archdeacon of Box Hill, before becoming Bishop of the Eastern Region in the Diocese of Melbourne in 2001.
[2] While Bishop, Hale also chaired Access Ministries and Christian leadership organisation, Arrow International.