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.
MPs and Senators can
- 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.
More about Vocational Education Training (VET)
More about Marriage Related Issues April 2015
