Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required by marriage celebrants to communicate with and develop appropriate relationships with marrying couples

Application 

This unit is mandatory for individuals aspiring to be appointed as marriage celebrants and suitable for existing marriage celebrants registered under Subdivision C of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961 

Pre-requisite 

This unit of competency must be assessed after achievement of related unit:

• CHCEL402A Establish and maintain knowledge of legal responsibilities of a marriage celebrant

Employability Skills 

This unit contains Employability Skills

Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Communicate effectively with a marrying couple

1.1 Apply effective communication  skills to provide the marrying couple with accurate information about the marriage ceremony and associated legal requirements and to identify their needs and preferences about the ceremony

1.2 Ensure personal communication  style with marrying couple is diplomatic, culturally appropriate and compliant with Federal, State and Territory discrimination legislation

1.3 Use well developed and empathic listening skills while avoiding adopting a role as a counsellor or educator to the couple

1.4 Convey to couples an understanding of cultural rights, multicultural contributions and the place of the arts in culture and ceremony

1.5 Ensure appropriate facilities are used to conduct interviews with marrying couples

2. Address issues and problems in relating to a marrying couple

2.1 Use effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills to resolve differences with the couple

2.2 Facilitate access to translation and interpreting services if required

2.3 Use the services of a translator and/or interpreter as required in planning and/or conducting a marriage ceremony

2.4 Develop an effective working relationship with the marrying couple and identify any additional resources required to enhance the marriage ceremony

2.5 Adopt a problem-solving approach to working with a marrying couple

2.6 Manage issues and disruptions in planning and conducting the marriage ceremony and display empathy in working with others

2.7 Identify and manage differences in needs of marrying couple, including differences between religious and non-religious circumstances

2.8 Deal with difficult people and/or situations in a calm manner aiming to resolve issues

3. Provide information about family relationship services

3.1 Convey information to couples at an appropriate time, in an appropriate manner and in line with the Marriage Act 1961 

3.2 Explain to the marrying couple the purpose of the marriage celebrant's obligation to provide information about family relationship services under the Marriage Act 1961 

3.3 Identify the information about family relationship services a marriage celebrant must be able to provide to a marrying couple

3.4 Maintain currency of information about family relationship services

3.5 Explain to the couple the proper role of the marriage celebrant

3.6 Identify special provisions for ministers of religion and their relationship with the Code of Practice  for Marriage Celebrants

4. Discuss administrative issues with the couple

4.1 Explain the marriage celebrant's role in ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of the parties

4.2 Explain documentation and record-keeping requirements

4.3 Establish agreement with the couple in relation to booking arrangements for the venue for the marriage ceremony and any additional service providers as required

4.4 Explain record-keeping requirements in relation to marrying couples, including records required when work is undertaken on behalf of a religious organisation or those for non-religious ceremonies

4.5 Discuss billing and invoicing arrangements if required, and reach agreement with the couple prior to undertaking further planning of the marriage ceremony

4.6 Provide the couple with a full statement of fees and charges from the beginning of contact with them, including what is covered, any refundable charges and when receipts will be issued

4.7 Provide marrying couple with information about options for preparation of documents, including marriage certificates, and discuss common errors in preparing documents and how to avoid them

5. Seek feedback from the marrying couple

5.1 Explain to the couple the importance of evaluating marriage services

5.2 Outline approach to evaluation and improvement of marriage celebrancy practice

5.3 Identify techniques for obtaining evaluation and reviewing your practice

5.4 Provide marrying couple with information about how to make a complaint as part of the Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge :

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include:

• Knowledge of sources of legal and practical information;
• Understanding and awareness of cultural rights, multicultural contributions, and the place of the arts in culture and ceremony
• Knowledge of the importance of ceremony and ritual in community and family life
• Understanding of client liaison techniques
• Understanding of and a commitment to ongoing professional development
• Elements of conducting an effective ceremony including use of additional materials
• Basic knowledge of stages of human development and recognise potential impacts on the marrying couple's expectations of the celebrant and each other

The candidate must also be able to apply knowledge outlined in CHCCEL402A Establish and maintain knowledge of legal responsibilities of a marriage celebrant, including:

• Marriage Act :

• knowledge of the obligations and responsibilities of a marriage celebrant according to the Marriage Act and Marriage Regulations and Code of Practice
• knowledge of all documentation which must be sighted before a marriage can take place
• knowledge of offences under the Marriage Act

• Other Legislation

• general knowledge of aspects of Commonwealth Migration, Privacy, Trade Practices, Commonwealth Statutory Declarations and Copyright Acts relevant to performing the role of a marriage celebrant
• awareness of Commonwealth discrimination laws as well as those in each state and territory
• knowledge of the processes and procedures of State/territory Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages

• Statutory Declarations Act 1959  (Cwlth ):

• detailed knowledge of responsibilities in accepting a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration

• Migration Act 1958 :

• broad understanding of immigration laws and the issues that may arise for parties who do not have permanent residency status and wish to marry
• awareness that marriage does not automatically give permanent residency

• Copyright Act 1968  especially applicability of the use of material in ceremonies

continued  ...

Essential knowledge  (contd ):

• Privacy Act 1988 

• understanding that celebrants have an obligation to protect privacy and maintain confidentiality

• Trade Practices Act 1974 

• understanding of obligations relevant to operating as a marriage celebrant within the Trade Practices Act; and
• knowledge of where to locate relevant information

• Marriage/relationship education services - knowledge of pre-marriage and other relationship education services

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

• Comply with all obligations and responsibilities under the Marriage Act
• Adhere to all required legislation
• Provide information about the availability of relationship education services
• Convey a non-judgemental attitude towards marrying couple
• Determine and understand marrying couple's needs and assist them to feel at ease

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include the ability to:

• Establish networks with relevant marriage/relationship education service provider/s
• Deliver the agreed format and content of the ceremony
• Facilitate ceremonies in a manner that demonstrates cultural and social respect
• Manage ceremonies consistent with the celebrant's responsibility towards the significance of marriage
• Demonstrate effective communication skills, including:

• speaking in a firm, diplomatic and culturally appropriate manner
• providing clear information, listen to and understand the needs of marrying couple, and clarify ceremony instructions
• effective and empathetic listening skills while avoiding acting as a counsellor or educator
• maintaining awareness of and sensitivity to needs of marrying couple (e.g. demonstrate sensitivity to issues of race, religious beliefs, cultural background, language levels, personal capabilities of marrying couple)
• discussing appropriate check/to do lists with couple
• summarising and clarifying issues covered during consultation interviews prior to conduct of ceremony
• effective negotiation skills
• effective conflict resolution skills
• confirming procedures with translator as necessary

• Apply effective management skills
• Explain the key features of the Marriage Act 1961 
• Accurately complete essential legal documents
• Access information about and an understanding of GST and its application
• Locate the relevant information for other state/territory legislation as required (such as local government parks and gardens, State and Territory registering authorities)
• Refer persons to appropriate authority for further information
• Provide ceremony resources that are varied, presentable and well maintained
• Work with others and display empathy

continued  ...

Essential skills  (contd ):

Ability to:

• Demonstrate language and literacy competence, including:

• literacy competence to satisfactorily fulfil the role of a marriage celebrant including the ability to interpret legal requirements and commonwealth policies and procedures
• use appropriate ritual and symbols in ceremony
• language competence to convey legal requirements to marrying couples, to provide clear information, listen to and understand the needs of marrying couples and clarify ceremony instructions

• Apply problem solving skills including the ability to work with a group and calmly manage disruptions
• Demonstrate effective presentation skills, including:

• presenting materials for ceremony professionally; and controlled assembly of wedding party and guests with discretion
• effective projection of voice and ability to work in public before an audience
• demonstrating discretion in terms of any perceived or actual disruption during ceremony
• conducting ceremony with flow and continuity
• introducing couple in the manner previously agreed
• presentation of a complete and professional folder of ceremony to couple
• demonstrating respect and courtesy to wedding party, guests and other participants
  (i.e. photographer, musicians, translator) before, during and following the ceremony
• consultation and presentation skills including an ability to convey an attitude of professionalism and compassion
• using effective problem solving skills to clarify any legal or other business issues arising
• departing tactfully and at the appropriate time

• Demonstrate management and administrative skills, including:

• effectively using techniques for monitoring own service area including client satisfaction
• applying numeracy skills including satisfactory record-keeping
• being honest and open in terms of fees and what monies are refundable and in what circumstances
• using effective time management skills to ensure arrival at venue at agreed time
• checking any equipment or resources as necessary
• following up on any outstanding issues
• contributing to revision of procedures and guidelines as appropriate

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency :

• The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
• For assessment of aspiring marriage celebrants, this unit is most appropriately assessed by the observation of a simulated interview with marrying couple and simulated ceremony or through role play and the completion and submission of documents
• For existing marriage celebrants choosing to be assessed against the competencies, this unit is most appropriately assessed prior to and during the conduct of a marriage ceremony and the completion and submission of completed documents
• Assessment should enable assessment of response to a diverse range of marrying couple in a range of situations
• A diversity of assessment tasks is essential for holistic assessment

Access and equity considerations :

• All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work
• All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
• In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment :

• This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
• Resources required for assessment of this unit include access to:

• relevant or appropriately simulated environment where assessment can take place
• relevant legislation, guidelines, Code of Practice, and range of required documentation

Method of assessment may include :

• Observation of simulation and/or role play of interview with marrying couple
• Observation of simulation and/or role play of ceremony
• Evidence during process for assessment of accurate completion of required documentation prior to ceremony and correct finalising of documents for forwarding to Registry Office following ceremony
• Evidence of knowledge of all elements of Code of Practice/ Marriage Act and its Regulations
• Evidence of the appropriate use of ceremony and symbolism

RANGE STATEMENT 

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Secure storage of records includes :

• Addressing storage requirements including appropriate types of storage for marriage records
• Ensuring that records can be kept secure for at least six years
• Addressing specific documentation requirements for:

• religious registers
• civil celebrant certificates

• Maintenance of record-keeping sheets

Marriage regulations :

• Knowledge of and adherence to the Marriage Regulations

Other relevant legislation :

• Knowledge of aspects of Commonwealth Migration, Privacy, Trade Practices, Commonwealth Statutory Declarations, Discrimination and Copyright Acts relevant to performing the role of a marriage celebrant
• Knowledge of state/territory discrimination laws.
• Knowledge of the processes and procedures of State/territory Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages

Code of Practice refers to :

• Knowledge of and adherence to the Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants as specified in the Marriage Regulations

Relationship education services :

• Information about the availability of relationship education services is provided in accordance with the Code of Practice

Communication :

• Effective and professional communication with marrying couple
• Ceremony options presented to marrying couple for consideration
  This may vary taking account of whether the ceremony is civil or religious
• Needs of marrying couple identified
  This may vary taking account of whether the ceremony is civil or religious
• Feedback sought from marrying couple employing a range of techniques
• Feedback used to improve service
• Collaboration with colleagues sought to develop, maintain and improve skills and resources

Administrative and business management aspects include :

• Privacy, security and confidentiality of client documentation and communications maintained
• All forms and procedures completed accurately and within the required timeframe as specified in the Marriage Act
• All relevant materials provided to marrying couples in a timely and professional manner
• All documentation available and accurately completed within the required timeframe and lodged appropriately as specified in the Marriage Act
• Documentation collected and stored securely and appropriately

Presentation includes :

• Ceremony presentation is accurate and professional
• Orderly progression of ceremony, as agreed to with marrying couples, is facilitated
• The roles of ceremony participants or other service providers, where relevant, are confirmed