Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:01 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:01 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Develop an effective relationship with a marrying couple
Develop an effective relationship with a marrying couple
Unit of competency
National Code
CHCCEL403A
CHCCEL403A
State Code
D2262
D2262
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
02/12/2009
Field of Education
090501 - Social Work
Original Release Date
02/12/2009
Nominal Hours
30
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required by marriage celebrants to communicate with and develop appropriate relationships with marrying couples
Notes
Elements and 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
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 considerationThis may vary taking account of whether the ceremony is civil or religious
Needs of marrying couple identifiedThis 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
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 considerationThis may vary taking account of whether the ceremony is civil or religious
Needs of marrying couple identifiedThis 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
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
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
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWB44 | CHCCEL006 | Interview clients and plan marriage ceremonies | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D303 | CHC42608 | Certificate IV in Celebrancy | Qualification |