Celebrancy Today is changing rapidly
Today’s public is more savvy and more demanding of meaningful ceremonies for audiences that are more complex e.g. families where there may be tension due to divorce, interfaith beliefs, mixed race marriages, international clients, the influence of media on attitudes to marriage, emerging technology (streaming, drones etc.).
For these reasons, an independent celebrant today and in the future requires more skills and professional support than ever before to meet and exceed society’s expectations.
Training qualifications
Our industry aspires to a Diploma of Professional Celebrancy training to meet these current and emerging needs. Currently only a para-professional Certificate IV in Celebrancy is available as a nationally accredited course - a level designed for workers being directly supervised in their work environments, unlike celebrants in private practice (sole traders).
Resource poor industry
The independent celebrancy profession:
- is a relatively new and growth industry - being just 4 decades old in Australia
- operates almost exclusively with private practitioners as sole traders, and
- lacks the resources (person power, time and funds) to have a strong voice with VET Skills Councils, or to approach the Australian Quality Standards Authority for assistance.
CoCA representative have given generously of their time and expertise to the Skills Council and the Attorney-General's Department in an attempt to see independent celebrants better trained and our Australian communities better serviced. The social capital gained through independent celebrants' work needs to be acknowledged and supported by government.
Diploma of Celebrancy Qualification Description
The Skills Council does not have
- the resources to develop new units**, despite enormous practical input from CoCA experienced celebrant practitioners
- the resources to map the higher qualification, without the support of the industry regulator, the Attorney-General's Department
- the security of continued funding due to the consultation on Industry Engagement in Training Package Development – Towards a Contestable Model Discussion Paper.
This means the Skills Council must prioritise its resources over a wide range of community services and health packages. - CoCA will provide the latest Recommended Qualification when feedback is received from the Attorney-General's Department and the Skills Council.
- The recommendations below will be signicifantly modified based on the resources of the Skills Council.
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CoCA Recommendations @ 23rd January 2015 |
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Diploma of Professional Celebrancy Qualification Description This qualification reflects the role of professional celebrants, who work to offer a range of ceremonial and related services to the Australian community When the marriage celebrancy electives are chosen, this qualification addresses the specific legislative responsibilities of marriage celebrants and is linked to national registration requirements |
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Packaging Rules plus up to 4 units from the list below, any endorsed Training Package or accredited course – these units must be relevant to the work outcome |
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Core units 9 units CEL001 Understand ceremony and establish client needs in the role of a celebrant CEL002 Research, create and evaluate ceremonial elements ** CEL003 Use writing skills for celebrancy practice ** CEL004 Communicate, create and organise ceremonies CEL005 Develop presentation and performance skills for celebrancy ** CEL006 Prepare for, conduct and evaluate ceremonies CEL007 Prepare for sustainable celebrancy practice CEL008 Identify needs, and set up and maintain resources for professional celebrancy practice ** |
| CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people |
| Specified Marriage Units CEL010 Establish and maintain legal responsibilities of a marriage celebrant CEL011 Accept and plan marriage ceremonies in line with legal requirements CEL012 Prepare for, conduct and review marriage ceremonies in line with legal requirements |
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Specified Funeral Units CHCCS426B Provide support and care relating to loss and grief |
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Funeral INDUSTRY electives SIFFFNL005 Arrange funerals SIFFFNL010 Plan and conduct funeral ceremonies NB: These units were developed for funeral arrangers and other employees in the funeral services industry and as such, do not directly meet the training needs of independent celebrants. |
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Community electives CHCPAS001 Provide spiritual pastoral care CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support CHCCCD002 Develop and implement community programs CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
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Business electives BSBSMB401 Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business BSBSMB405 Monitor and manage small business operations BSBSMB406 Manage small business finances. BSBSMB403 Market the small business Qualification Mapping Information No equivalent qualification Links www.cshisc.com.au Link to Companion Volume Implementation Guide |
