We are heading back to the AGs Department for their Bi-Annual meeting.
Is there anything you would like discussed or put up for the Agenda?
Please let us know by end of week as we have to reply to them.
Thank you.
Jill x

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Happy posting!
The AG has asked us to submit our questions, comments or discussions points for Decembers meeting - is there anything you would like us to bring up?
Thanks Jill, appreciate you sharing all this. Did they give any indication of how long they think it will take to get back to the 3ish month mark for appointments?
Attorney-General’s Department – Marriage Law and Celebrants Section Bi-Annual Network & Association Consultation
Date: 12062025Location: Online (Zoom) + National Circuit, Barton CBR (In Person). Facilitated by: Attorney-General’s Department – Marriage Law and Celebrants Section
Agenda Summary and Discussion Points
1. “Happily Ever Before & After” Flyer and Consultation Launch
A new public-facing flyer will accompany the consultation opening via Citizen Space on Monday 16th. The AGs Dept will share this for consult.
2. “Become a Celebrant” Website Update
The new site theme asks: “Are you made of the right stuff to be a marriage celebrant?”
Emphasises the role is not simply a business, but a significant community responsibility with legal obligations.
Reinforces the gravity of breaching federal laws if responsibilities are not met.
3. Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) – Review & Feedback
Testing underway on a revised layout and structure.
Discussions on whether the “tick box” for separate meetings should appear on the NOIM or DONLI.
A focused working group will be established to further review these forms.
4. Online Portal Redesign – MTP Presentation
Marcel and section 115 discussed in context of celebrant register and redesign needs.
Client-centred approach: 30-minute interviews, testing interactive prototypes.
Goal: Delivery by end of September.
Approximately 50 participants needed, including Elle, Lou, Joy, Liv, Ange, and Teddy.
Feedback focus: usability, payment processes (annual fees, OPD), login functionality.
This presentation was approximately 20 minutes long.
5. OPD & Regulatory Compliance
A note from the Department outlines concerns over “tick and flick” OPD practices.
Low results will trigger contact and possible re-completion requirements.
Confirmed OPD compliance is central to regulation and non-compliance will have disciplinary consequences.
Queries addressed:
Collaborative OPD learning is acceptable.
Adjustments for learning styles and regional access are encouraged.
6. Celebrant Guidelines Update
Apology issued for delayed publication.
Currently undergoing final edits to future-proof content.
Consultation period of two weeks planned.
Closed consultation with associations, not public draft.
7. Form 15 – Paper Update
Original paper stock no longer available.
New options presented: 170GSM and 190GSM.
Security features and colours remain consistent.
Change prompted by widespread printing complaints.
8. Celebrant Advertising & Code of Practice
No defamatory comments permitted about celebrants not present.
The marketplace—not government—determines business needs.
Ministerial approval required for any changes to Code of Practice.
9. Presentation – Professor Jennifer Burn (UTS)
My Blue Sky and Anti-Slavery Australia update.
Focus: Forced Marriage – guidelines released.
Free legal assistance available for victims of modern slavery.
Celebrants reminded to ensure full and free consent.
Key statistics:
51% of cases involve people under 18, primarily girls aged 15–19.
Estimated 1,500 people affected in Australia at any given time.
Forced marriage is the most prevalent form of modern slavery (33%).
Resources:
Website, chatbot staffed by lawyers.
Not mandatory reporters – consent must come from victim.
Rosa and others discussed real celebrant experiences.
This was over 1.5 hour presentation.
10. Presentation – AFP Federal Agent Mel Bedford
Human trafficking in Australia: 375 reports annually.
91 forced marriage reports; 56% involve minors under 17.
Celebrants unlikely to identify signs in short interactions.
Referral resources:
afp.gov.au/report-crime, 131 237
Salvation Army: arp@salvationarmy.org.au
Anti-Slavery Australia: antislavery@uts.edu.au
LWB Forced Marriage Program: www.lwb.org.au
This was a 40 min presentation.
11. Copyright in Ceremonies
Copyright law sits outside the AGD remit.
Personal use of music generally not an issue unless a complaint is raised.
Mario will circulate guidance on this topic.
12. ABS – Craig Brady Presentation
ABS data release: 23 July.
Highlights:
Year Book Australia (since 1908), Social Trends Archive.
80% of marriages are now solemnised by civil celebrants.
Marriage age: men 31, women 30.
Around 40,000 divorces per year.
Seasonal patterns influence dates; Tuesdays least popular.
This took just under 30 minutes.
13. Application Timeframes and Challenges
Reduced staffing earlier in the year delayed processing.
Currently operating at 4–5 months; aiming to return to 3 months.
Key causes of delay:
Incomplete police checks
Poor referee quality
Incomplete or unclear documentation
MLCS urged applicants to carefully follow instructions.
14. Questions in last few minutes of the day
Submit changes to Code in writing.
“High standard of service” clarified as context-dependent.
Legal document retention obligations remain unchanged i.e length of time to keep the hard copy of the OCM.
Electronic data should be safely destroyed per guidelines.
COM second version still required.
Queried NOIM ownership post-withdrawal; may involve consumer law and will be reviewed.
Next Meeting December 25.
Thank you Vicki. I will ask.
Yes, I think we need more clarification around the signing of the NOIM in an online environment. What programs are acceptable, which are not to receive an Electronic Signature. Thank you 🙂