VET Diploma of Celebrancy for ALL Ceremonies

Hello Visitor,

We aim to keep Federal MPs and Senators informed of our Celebrant industry.

TOPIC: National Vocational Education and Training Reforms

March 2015 saw the last of the national consultations for VET reforms where Commonwealth and State Ministers at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Industry and Skills Council agreed to six objectives for reform to be led by industry.  

During these consultations, Hon Senator Simon Birmingham, Assistant Minister for Education and Training, highlighted the need for the reforms to have equal requirements of jobs, quality and status.  

The CoCA celebrant practitioners of the VET Subject Matter Expert Group (SMEG) recommends a Diploma in Celebrancy upgrading from the current Certificate IV in Celebrancy.

This is in response to the changing role of celebrants in Australian society and the need for meaningful marriage and other ceremonies, including rites of passage. 

The Marriage Act makes no statement on the broader training or regulation of other celebrants of the Recognised Religious Celebrants and State Officers who conduct marriage ceremonies. Many Commonwealth appointed Subdivision C celebrants have a broader professional role than marriage ceremonies alone.

• support an undergraduate Diploma in Celebrancy
  or
• require a portion of this Diploma (at least equivalent to the current Certificate IV in Celebrancy) be the industry standard for authorisation as a Commonwealth Marriage Celebrant.

The Second Consultation for Celebrancy information and CoCA's position is now available for comment until 15th May 2015.

More about Vocational Education Training (VET) 

• The review and consultations papers can be found on the Skills Council website  
• VET Principles for planning applied to celebrancy training
• Evidence of need for funerals and other rites of passage

• Child - Forced Marriage and the Australian Marriage Act
• Legal clarification of Section 39

The Coalition of Celebrant Associations (CoCA) Inc is
the peak body for celebrants in Australia.

CoCA is an association of celebrant associations spanning the nation.

One of CoCA's key roles is to represent Commonwealth marriage celebrants concerns, needs and suggestions to the Attorney-General and the Attorney-General's Department and through its Protocol with the Department to provide advice on the development, implementation and review of the Commonwealth Marriage Celebrant Program.