Hi Everyone:

I received this query:

Am I right in thinking the old August cut off date for having completed the OPD has been abolished and we now need to be registered and have started the certificate before the end of November 2010 in order to complete 3 years OPD? Am I also correct in thinking we do not need to complete an annual return this year?
Sorry but I am finding this lack of info from the Attorney General's Office very unhelpful, I can't help wondering if I am the only one struggling this year with what is required and by when?

1. Yes the old August cut-off is gone, and celebrants no longer need to do Annual Returns.

2. Yes re end November, as the 3 approved OPD providers need to submit celebrants attendance, celebrants need to check by when you need to enrol. Some are by the end of October, and courses completed before the end of November.

3. However OPD does not require EXISTING celebrants to do the Certificate IV in Celebrancy.

4. Doing the Certificate IV in Celebrancy is a choice one can make to receive an OPD exemption for the year in which the Course is completed, and the 2 years following. So if you are considering this option, perhaps choosing that option for next year would give you the whole year in which to do the course work.

5. However acquiring the Cert IV in Celebrancy by "Fast-Track" ( recognised prior learning only) is questionable. The AGs are re-writing the rules on this, so this could be a little uncertain.

6. The latest Q and A sheet (21.5.2009) from the AGs can be downloaded from:
http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Pa ... evelopment

7. You will find details on the three official OPD provider's programs here on the ACCN Website to assist you in comparing the different options and prices in this section:
http://www.accn.com.au/celebrant-opd-2010

and these webpages:
Australian Celebrations Training
http://www.accn.com.au/celebrant-opd-20 ... s-training
AssentTECS OPD
http://www.accn.com.au/celebrant-opd-2010/assenttecs
The Gordon Insitute of TAFE OPD
http://www.accn.com.au/celebrant-opd-20 ... insititute

8. The ACCN Calendar also carries information on what some of the associations are offering for OPD sessions:
http://www.accn.com.au/calendar/cat/cat_id/8/519

Cheers
Rona

YES BE VERY CAREFUL if considering doing the upgrade to Cert 4 MArriage Celebrancy to meet OPD requirements. I have already completed the upgrade and while I was doing it - I was advised of the AG's office changing their mind on certain things. I managed to get the provider to make sure I did all that was necessary - ie you could not get RPL'd for certain units - you had to complete the whole thing as you would have had you not been an already qualified celebrant. So just make sure you know exactly what is what before you undertake the cert 4 as part of your OPD.
Although having said all that - I found the Cert 4 to be very informative and useful!

HI there

Yes the whole OPD area has become very confused.

However, the latest AG advice is the celebrants completing Certificate IV in Celebrancy this year will be eligible for an exemption for OPD.

The ACCN has loaded this Notice on:
http://www.accn.com.au/celebrant-opd-20 ... -june-2010

If there is any concern about whether RPL will be accepted, please email the Marriage Celebrant Section for clarification.

Kind regards
Rona

hello ,
i completed my certificate iv in celebrancy these may....am i elegible for an exemption for OPD/????
please answer my question...

Parth,
Your RTO of your recently completed Cert IV Celebrancy course should be able to inform you of the need for you to either complete OPD this year or not. If they are unable to help you, go to the Attorney General's website link below and have a read...you decide!

http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Pa ... evelopment