V9 OPD Options 2010 - latest news
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 Celebrants have two legal ways of meeting OPD requirements.
All Commonwealth authorised marriage celebrants are required to complete five hours before the end of 2010.
However as the OPD providers are required the celebrants compliance to the Attorny General's department, there may be cut-offs in November to allow time for this administration.
Therefore it is advisable to study the timetables and options carefully.
2010 OPD can be completed through the following methods:
1. The traditional method through the 3 authorised providers listed on the AG's website
OR
2. Through the completion of a Cert IV in Celebrancy CHC42608 - as per the AG's criteria, and so long as the following criteria are met the celebrant will get 3 years OPD exemption.
NB. Provided this exemption does not change, existing celebrants could do the Cert IV in Celebrancy next year for exemptions for that year and the subsequent two years ie 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The celebrant provides to the Registrar a copy of the Certificate IV in Celebrancy together with a letter from the registered training organisation that issued the Certificate.
The letter must state that the nine compulsory units required for registration as a marriage celebrant have not been completed as a result of recognition of prior learning but have actually been undertaken.
THREE authorised OPD providers
OPD consist of Face to Face, Distance Education and On-line programs
There are three official OPD providers for this year's program :
Australian Celebrations Training,
Fees range for a 5 hour selection from $110 ( by email booklets) to $160 (face to face) .
AssentTECS OPD
Fee for 5 hour OPD is $195.00 (for face-to-face) or $160.00 (for distance education).
The Gordon Institute of TAFE OPD
Fees Face to Face 5hrs: $ 190 & Distance and online 5hrs: $ 160
Celebration Associations OPD Sessions:
Most celebrant associations will be providing special OPD options for their own members usually at reduced rates.
Such programs may be available to non-members for an additional fee.
It is worth considering these options too, especially if the topics are interesting and relevant to you and / or their location is convenient for you.
The ACCN encourages celebrant associations to make there OPD sessions also available on the ACCN CALENDAR
Completion of a Cert IV in Celebrancy CHC4260
Choosing this option, as per the Marriage Regulations, you will fulfil your next three years OPD requirements provided you finish this program in this year.
The AG's criteria are
- The celebrant provides to the Registrar a copy of the Certificate IV in Celebrancy together with a letter from the registered training organisation that issued the Certificate.
- The letter must state that the nine compulsory units required for registration as a marriage celebrant have not been completed as a result of recognition of prior learning but have actually been undertaken.
FROM THE AG'S WEBSITE Marriage Regulations:
"For this reason, the Attorney-General will be recommending to the Governor-General in Council that an amendment be made to the Regulations to clarify the intention of the exemption.
The proposed amendment would mean that that the exemption is only provided where the marriage celebrant provides a copy of the Certificate IV in Celebrancy (or equivalent university qualification) to the Registrar together with a letter from the organisation that issued the Certificate. The letter would be required to state that the nine compulsory units required for registration as a marriage celebrant have not been completed as a result of recognition of prior learning but have actually been undertaken.
A marriage celebrant who completes the Certificate IV in Celebrancy (or the equivalent university qualification) by undertaking the nine compulsory units, and not via recognition of prior learning, and who submits to the Registrar, the documents mentioned above, would not be required to undertake OPD for the year in which they completed that qualification and the subsequent two registration years.
and under their FAQ's section it says:
"What if I’ve been a registered celebrant for some time but am planning on upgrading my skills by doing the Certificate IV in Celebrancy or an equivalent university qualification. Can I have that count for my OPD?"
The Marriage Regulations provide that a person, who has completed the Certificate IV in Celebrancy or an equivalent university qualification, is exempt from OPD for the registration year in which they complete that qualification and the following two registration years. This means that completion of one unit of competency from the Certificate IV in Celebrancy does not count for OPD, however when you have completed the Certificate IV in Celebrancy or equivalent university qualification, you will not be required to undertake OPD for the year in which you completed that qualification and the subsequent two registration years.
In order to obtain the exemption, you must provide to the Registrar a copy of the Certificate IV in Celebrancy together with a letter from the registered training organisation that issued the Certificate. The letter must state that the nine compulsory units required for registration as a marriage celebrant have not been completed as a result of recognition of prior learning but have actually been undertaken.
Note: The current Marriage Regulations 1963 do not include this requirement however the Attorney-General will shortly be recommending to the Governor-General in Council that the Regulations be amended to this effect.
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