What is a Celebrant

What is a Celebrant?

A Celebrant is someone who is authorised by the Attorneys General to solemnise weddings in Australia.

To obtain that authorisation a Celebrant needs to study and pass an approved course that contains appropriate knowledge of the:

Marriage act 1961,

Marriage Regulations 1963,

Trade Practices act 1974,

Commonwealth Migration Act 1958,

Privacy act1988,

Age discrimination act,

Disability discrimination act,

Human Rights and equality act,

Sex discrimination act,

State Law act,

Copyright Act.

This course is expensive and takes considerable time. Parts of the fees charged by the Celebrant include a component to recover the course fees and fees incurred during Ongoing Personal Development (OPD).

 

A Celebrant has to conduct the marriage ceremony in the correct manner using the correct forms, terminology and mandatory content.

A Celebrant has to verify that the couple are aware of the serious responsibilities committed to by the act of marriage.

A Celebrant is legally bound to perform the marriage correctly and may suffer prosecution if the wedding is not legally accomplished.

A Celebrant has to inform the couple of support systems that may be desirable prior to and after the ceremony that support the couple towards a successful marriage.

A Celebrant has to prove a commitment to the institution of marriage.

A Celebrant has to provide confidentiality and secure record keeping.

A Celebrant has to maintain all administration requirements.

A Celebrant has to partake in Ongoing Personal Development.

A Celebrant has to conduct and present them selves in a professional manner that compliments the occasion.

A Celebrant has to inspire confidence and reliability.

A Celebrant has to have liability insurance.

A Celebrant must conduct their business in a fair and legal manner, providing information on cancellation terms and fees.

A Celebrant will be available for your ceremony, even if the engaged Celebrant is unable to complete the commitment.

A Celebrant is someone who knows that this is your marriage and will endeavour to make it special for you.

A Celebrant has to agree to perform their duties within a published code of practice.

A Celebrant is self employed.

A Celebrant is not:

A wedding organiser,

A marriage councillor,

Responsible for any other aspect of the wedding,

Affiliated to any other company or organisation engaged in the wedding environment.