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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Finalise pre-ceremony arrangements
   • Confirm Notice of Intended Marriage forms have been received according to legal requirements and provide advice to couple about applying for shortening of time when required
   • Ensure that Declaration of No Legal Impediment to marriage forms are signed by both parties prior to the ceremony
   • Prepare and check 3 marriage certificates prior to ceremony with accurate, legible and complete information consistent with the Notice of Intended Marriage
   • Confirm marriage ceremony, venue and time arrangements with the marrying couple, ensuring other arrangements at the venue will not interfere with planned marriage ceremony
   • Confirm roles of marriage ceremony participants and/or other service providers
   • Identify special needs of marriage ceremony participants and/or other service providers, including interpreters
   • Establish working relationships with other service providers prior to commencement of marriage ceremony within scope of agreed celebrant role
3. Make on site preparations
   • Apply Code of Practice in relation to arrival times and standard of personal presentation at the event
   • Check that planned arrangements are in place and that other aspects of the event will not interfere with the marriage ceremony requirements
   • Confirm the presence of witnesses and location for completion of documentation
   • Identify where problems may occur, and respond in consultation with the marrying couple or their nominated representative
4. Present marriage ceremonies within legal requirements
   • Ensure appropriate placement of marriage celebrant during the ceremony particularly in relation to other people participating
   • Facilitate orderly progression of ceremony as agreed with marrying couple
   • Present marriage ceremony accurately and professionally in line with plan agreed with marrying couple and in keeping with religious or non-religious context
   • Ensure marriage ceremony is audible to the audience
   • Use resources and techniques as agreed with marrying couple to enhance the significance and symbolism of the marriage ceremony in line with values and ideals of the couple
5. Manage marriage ceremony documentation
   • Ensure that all documentation (3 certificates of marriage) are correctly signed by the marrying couple and their witnesses
   • Check documentation and ensure that any omissions or errors are rectified in the presence of, and initialled by, the marrying couple and their witnesses
   • Present completed marriage certificate to one or both members of the couple as soon as possible after signing
6. Register the marriage
   • Maintain privacy, security and confidentiality of marrying couple documentation and communication
   • Accurately complete forms and procedures within specified timeframes for lodgement under the Marriage Act 1961
   • Forward documents to state/territory Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages after performing ceremony within legislated timeframe
   • Securely store documentation in suitable location relating to the marrying couple in accordance with legal requirements
7. Evaluate ceremonies
   • Seek feedback from the marrying couple about services provided
   • Reflect on own performance and services and identify areas of strength and those for potential improvement
   • Review efficacy of resources used and identify and act on potential improvements

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

prepared for, presented, documented, registered and evaluated in writing, at least 5 marriage ceremonies in line with legal requirements and marriage celebrant Code of Practice, which must include:

ceremony involving a legal issue impacting the ceremony delivery, such as where another unauthorised person will be centrally involved or conducting the ceremony in conjunction with the celebrant

ceremony involving other presenters and performers

ceremonies with varying sized audiences including at least 1 of more than 20 people.

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal requirements under marriage regulations and the Code of Practice (contained in the regulations) that impact the conduct of marriage ceremonies:

use and role of interpreters

use of required wording

maintaining a high standard of service in professional conduct and practice

ensuring accuracy in the preparation of documents, and in the conduct of the marriage ceremony

ensuring personal presentation is of an appropriate standard for the marriage ceremony, and respecting the expectations of the parties in relation to the ceremony

making efforts to ensure that the marriage ceremony is audible to all those present (using audio equipment, if required)

arriving at the venue for the marriage ceremony no later than the time agreed with the parties

where the marriage celebrant has agreed to perform more than 1 marriage ceremony on the same day:

ensuring that each couple receives a standard of service that meets their needs

being available at the venue at least 20 minutes prior to the agreed start time of the ceremony

ensuring that all relevant documents are completed and sent to the appropriate registering authority within 14 days after the marriage ceremony, as required by section 50 of the Marriage Act

accepting evaluative comment from the parties, and using any comments to improve performance

legal requirements under marriage regulations that impact marriage documentation:

lodgement times for forwarding documentation to registering authorities

recordkeeping requirements in relation to:

what records must be kept

type of storage

duration of storage

celebrant role in storage when religious organisation keep records

religious registers

civil celebrant certificates

recordkeeping sheets

registration requirements in the states and territories, including:

processesand procedures ofstate/territory Registrars of Births, Deaths andMarriages,

requirements to retain certain records

common errors in documentation ceremony stagecraft, performance and evaluation techniques, specifically in relation to marriage ceremonies

common issues that marriage celebrants may encounter during rehearsal and solemnisation of marriage, and approaches for responding, including:

working cooperatively with others, such as wedding venue staff, photographers, musicians, translators etc.

late arrival of bridal party or significant others

copyright issues related to the use of music

alcohol and other drugs intoxication issues

serious health issues of the parties to the marriage and significant others

serious health or emergency issues that could prevent the celebrant from completing their contract with the couple

extreme nervousness – the bride or groom cannot articulate the wedding vows

interruptions before, during or after the ceremony

disruptions caused by animals, children, photography drones

extreme weather situations and concerns related to the safety of couple, guests, self and others (including work health and safety (WHS) issues)

unexpected failure of power or equipment

processesand procedures ofstate/territory Registrars of Births, Deaths andMarriages, including the requirements for registration of the marriage and retaining of some records by the celebrant.types of errors in documentation, and how to avoid these:

celebrant Code of Practice in relation to providing information to couples about how to make a complaint consistent with the Code of Practice

role of registering authorities and ways to establish professional relationships

role and importance of marriage service evaluation, including:

how to incorporate evaluation into marriage celebrant practice

techniques for obtaining feedback from clients

techniques and process for self-evaluation.

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