You must be at least 12 years of age to do a referee course. Referees aged 12 can only do the Small Side Game/Game Leader Course.

The minimum age for the Level 4 Referee qualification is 13 years of age. This qualification lets you referee ages from U12 up. However, you generally can only referee in the centre for matches aged 2 years below your age. For example, a referee aged 14 would do U12 centres and lines on all other age groups including All Age.

We can by exception allow people younger than the minium age to do the course, if they will attain the minimum age shortly after or in the same year. There are limitations on whether they can referee and what ages they can referee until they attain the minimum age. See What age do I have to be to referee for more information.

We recommend anyone doing the Level 4 qualification be at least 14 by April in the year they are doing the course.

Yes. All courses require that you attend for the whole period so that you can be marked as competent on all the course material. This includes if the course is a multi-day course.

In limited circumstances, you may be able to attend another course for the material you have missed if you cannot a part of the course due to extenuating circumstances.

The course by itself does not entitle you to referee with us. You will need to become a member as well. Membership is based on your age and qualifications. More information on membership options can be found at Membership.

Other referee branches are likely to require that you become a member of them after you have completed the course. For their membership options, you will have to enquire with them directly.

For all details on our upcoming course, go to Entry level referee courses.

You must be at least 12 years of age to begin refereeing. At 12 years of age, you can only become a SSG Referee and do Small Sided Games.
The minimum age for the Level 4 Referee qualification is 13 years of age. This qualification lets you join as a Junior or Senior (for those 18 years or older) referee.   However, you generally can only referee in the centre for matches aged 2 years below your age. For example, a referee aged 14 would do U12 centres and lines on all other age groups including All Age.

We recommend anyone joining as a Junior Referee with the Level 4 qualification be at least 14 by April in the year they are joining.

Definitely not. You referee when you are available, which can be as often or infrequently as you want. Through our appointments management system, you make yourself available or unavailable on certain days and times and are then appointed to matches when you are available.

We would like you to make yourself available to referee as often as possible so we can give you the most opportunities to referee as possible.

You get paid cash on the day for the matches you have refereed. You are paid per match depending on the role you undertake in the match, usually either a referee or assistant referee (linesperson).

The current referee payments can be found at Match Fees

Usually, no. If you are refereeing as a hobby, which most people are when they start out, the payments you receive are not subject to income tax.

You should obtain your own advice from an accountant on your specific circumstances on your obligations to pay any tax on your referee earnings.

Yes, we train weekly and consists of practical and theory sessions. Details on our upcoming training sessions can be found on our home page.

Training is mandatory for all new referees and is strongly recommend for all members . Training includes fitness, technical sessions and education, which will help improve your refereeing and make it more enjoyable. We find referees who attend training enjoy their refereeing more and progress more quickly to higher matches and finals than other referees. Training attendance will determine the appointments you receive and consideration for representative matches and finals appointments.