Has anyone heard anything more about them charging us $600 a year to be Celebrants?

Dear Wedding Lady

The "Reforms" (ie "Celebrant Fee to increase professionalism) consultation process phase has closed, except for those associations that arranged approval for late submissions. The government is now in the phase of considering all the feedback received.

As a delegate to the peak body CoCA (Coalition of Celebrant Associations) we understand that the next phase will involve the Attorney General's Department to decide what work they will be doing re:
* Appointments
* Compliance
* Who and how to charge for those components to formulate a Cost Recovery Impact Statement.

This will need to be submitted to another Government Department and should be on exhibition for comment (if our information is correct).

As there is a new Attorney General we expect that there maybe some delay to the time-frame. At this state our guess is around May, but remember whatever comes in will not be implemented until July 2013

The Celebrants & Celebrations Network puts out information via its free National Celebrant e_Magazine
http://www.askacelebrant.com.au/e-magazine-notices
As well as What's New?
http://www.accn-celebrants.com.au/whats-new

I suggest keeping an eye on these links from time to time.

Cheers
Rona

Thankyou Rona, still can't see how charging us $600 can "Professionalise" us???

Hi all,
Of course we must realise that by charging us $600 or whatever; we automatically become more professional in everyone's eyes, and our fees of over $1000:00 per Ceremony won't even be questioned. That's how it works in my fantasy world !!
(Insert mad laughter here !)

Rona I take it all the meetings were then in vain! if they are still going ahead!....how on earth is charging Celebrants money each year going to Professionalise us??? How ridiculous!

Hi Wedding Lady

At this stage the Coalition of Celebrant Associations (CoCA) nor our Association CCN Inc have heard anything about the Government Plans. CoCA has a planned meeting with the Attorney General's Department in mid April but if could be May budget before we have any real details.

CoCA has put forward an excellent submission:
http://www.coalitionofcelebrantassociat ... elebrants/

And the CCN Inc also.
http://www.civilcelebrationsnetwork.org ... -a-reforms

(well we would say that wouldn't we?)

I know it is frustrating and difficult to feel so powerless over what for most of us is an important part of our lives.

Best to get on with our work and wait until when we have the details.

Cheers
Rona