How do I start out?
What is the NSW SLFR?
NSW Referee Development Pathway
How do I join?
How do I start out?
The starting point for people who are interesting in becoming a referee but do not yet hold the required qualification is by joining one of the 41 member branches who cover Community Football, or the amateur game in NSW. These member branches are generally known as ‘districts’ and chances are there is a district branch near you.
If you do not yet hold the required qualification but want to start out as a referee for the first time, you should contact the Referees Manager at Football NSW at
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who will put you in touch with your nearest Branch - they run courses for brand new Referees.
List of Branches:
| Albury-Wodonga | Forbes | Orange |
| Bankstown | Gladesville Hornsby | Parkes |
| Bathurst | Goulburn | St George |
| Blacktown | Granville | Shoalhaven |
| Broken Hill | Griffith | Southern Districts |
| Canterbury | Highlands | South West Slopes |
| Central Coast | Illawarra | Sutherland |
| Condobolin | Ku-ring-gai | Sydney Amateurs |
| Cowra | Leeton | Sydney Branch |
| Deniliquin | Lithgow | Sydney Schools |
| Dubbo | Macarthur | Wagga Wagga |
| Eastern Suburbs | Manly-Warringah | Western Plains |
| Eurobodalla | Mudgee | Young |
| Far South Coast | Nepean | |
To become a qualified referee you will be required to complete a referee entrance level course. Most local district associations run a series of these courses during the year. The course consists of the following:
1. Theory examination – this involves attending a series of lectures on the Laws of the Game (LOTG) and completing a multiple-choice examination. This examination is set by the National Referees Commission and is a national assessment applied across Australia. On successfully completing the examination stage you will receive a referee theory certificate.
2. Field test – this requires that you be assessed by a suitably qualified local branch assessor/inspector on a level of game that your branch considers appropriate for you as a starting point. On successfully completing your “field test” assessment you become a fully qualified referee and will be issued with the appropriate Referee Certificate.
If you want to become a Referee for the first time, you should contact the Referees Manager at Football NSW at
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who will put you in touch with your nearest Branch - they run courses for brand new Referees.
For more information on becoming a referee in NSW and starting your exciting and rewarding refereeing journey visit the Football NSW website.
What is the NSW State League Football Referees Inc (NSW SLFR)?
This is the NSW State League Football Referees Inc. In NSW the NSW SLFR is considered to be the premier refereeing organisation. The NSW SLFR recruits referees already holding certificates of competency (or a suitable equivalent) from local branches, interstate and overseas referees.
The main role of the NSW SLFR is to provide professional refereeing services to all Football NSW State League fixtures (including the NSW Telechoice Premier League). Launching the international referee exchange program in partnership with the Association Italian Arbitri in 2004 the NSW SLFR is leading the way in referee development not only in NSW but Australia.
Members of NSW SLFR receive expert instruction and coaching with the
opportunity to participate in referee development programs.
How do I join?
If you feel ready to take the next step in your refereeing career contact us for a copy of our Membership Form
The membership form should be mailed along with a letter of clearance from your Branch Secretary and a cheque or money order for $120 to:
The Secretary
NSW State League Football Referees Inc.
PO Box 2278
Taren Point BC NSW 2229
If you are already an experienced Referee and you want to go further and climb the refereeing ladder then there are a few things you should first consider:
You must be current active referee - we do not conduct classes for new referees
You must be over 18 years of age
Ideally you should be a full Class Two (now National Level 3)
You should be committed to refereeing at the top level in NSW
You should be committed to attending physical training each week
You will need to pass a rigorous fitness test at the beginning of each season
You should be prepared to travel across the greater Sydney metropolitan area including the Central Coast, lower Blue Mountains, and Wollongong
You will need a clearance letter from your current Branch Secretary confirming your qualifications and financial status
If this sounds like you then you can contact us at
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and ask about joining NSW State League Football Referees Inc.
Recruitment 
- what should I do?
I am already a qualified Referee - how can I join?
