Does the Marriage Celebrant we engage have to belong to a professional association?

No, your Marriage Celebrant does not have to belong to a professional Marriage Celebrants' association.  Having said this, however, there are many advantages to be gained by choosing a Marriage Celebrant who is a member of a professional association such as the ACQ.  For example, the ACQ has the facility to pass on quickly all relevant and important information from either the Attorney-General's Department or from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages regarding changes to legislative requirement or other news and information.  The ACQ also facilitates on-going professional training for its celebrants as well as convening meetings which afford its members many opportunities to network for the purpose of exchanging ideas and so keep their knowledge and practice as current and relevant as is possible, and to provide back-up support when necessary.