The Attorney-General’s Department is redrafting the ‘Happily Ever (before and) After’ brochure – the one we’re legally required to give to every couple under section 42(5A) of the Marriage Act 1961 – and they want your input.
They’ve made changes to reflect updates to the Act and (hopefully) made it clearer and more useful. Now they’re asking celebrants (that’s us) and other stakeholders to review the draft text and have a say before it’s finalised.
This is your chance to actually shape something that affects your day-to-day work. The more celebrants who give considered, practical feedback, the better the end result will be – for us, and for the couples we serve.
How to get involved
- Head to the consultation page: https://consultations.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/heba
- Download the draft HEBA brochure (PDF or Word format)
- Fill out the survey (text boxes and radio buttons – nothing too painful)
- Do it before 11:59pm AEST, Monday 15 September 2025
If you’ve got thoughts on how the brochure could be clearer, more accurate, or more useful, now’s the time to say so.
Why it matters
We hand this brochure to every couple. It should be clear, helpful, and reflect the way we work in 2025 – not 1995. This is your invitation to help lift the standard, not just complain about it later.
We’ll be making a Celebrant Institute submission too, so if you want to contribute to that or discuss it with us first, feel free to get in touch.
Let’s make our voice count.
