(As amended December 2001)

(As amended December 2001)

The NSW State Referees Commission has determined that the NSW Soccer Referees Inc and the ASRF NSW Division shall classify their member persons as follows. Classifications shall apply equally to female and male referees:

1. Member Organisations of the NSW State Referees Commission shall classify their member persons as Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4 with Class 1 being the highest classification

2. All applicants 14 years of age and under 18 years of age will be classified as Class 4. They will officiate on games up to and including under 16.

3. Applicants 18 years of age and older that will only be officiating on games up to and including under 16 will also be classified as Class 4.

4. Applicants 18 years of age and older without previous experience or referees with only one year of experience that will be officiating on games above under 16 will be classified as Class 3.

5. Applicants for either Class 4 or Class 3 will need to pass the National Entrance Theory Examination current at the time of their application.

6. Upgrading from Class 4 to Class 3 shall be by field assessment by the Branch and requires no theory examination.

7. Upgrading from Class 3 to Class2 and Class 2 to Class 1 will require the applicant to pass the appropriate National Theory Examination current at the time of their application.

8. At each level of classification, for an applicant to receive their full classification they will be required to undergo a field assessment at the respective levels they are aspiring to achieve. The level of the field assessment for each classification will be established by the ASRF NSW Division for their member persons and the level of game that is their responsibility, while the NSW Soccer Referees Inc will do likewise for their area of responsibility.

9. Theory only certificates may be issued for each classification at the discretion of the respective Examination Authority.

Class 3 and Class 4.

1. Applicants shall be subject to an Entrance Theory Examination written or oral with a pass mark of 70% (or 28 correct answers).

2. Applicants who fail the Entrance Examination will be permitted to resit the Entrance Examination at the discretion of the Examination Authority.

3. At the completion of the Entrance Examination all successful applicants will be issued with their Entrance Examination Theory only certificate by the Examining Authority conducting the exam.

4. Applicants wishing to obtain their full classification and have attained an Entrance Examination pass will need to become a member of the ASRF NSW Division or the NSW Soccer Referees Inc through one of their affiliated Branches.

5. To complete their full classification, successful theory applicants will be required to undergo a field assessment conducted by an approved Inspector at the appropriate game level. A successful field assessment is a mark of 6 for a Class 4 or Class 3 full classification. The appropriate authority will be advised who will then issue the certificate.

6. The Inspectors field assessment mark of 6 for a Class 4 will be based on a minimum expectation of what a person at this level could reasonably be expected to display as a referee on junior games.

7. The Inspectors field assessment mark of 6 for a Class 3 will be based on a minimum expectation of what a person at this level could reasonably be expected to display as a referee on a low level all age game.

8. Failure to obtain a field assessment mark of 6 or more does not necessarily mean the applicant is precluded from any future appointments. This is a discretionary matter for the Branch. The field assessment for the full classification may be conducted on any future appointment but should not be later than the year the applicant joined.

9. In the case of the Class 3 field assessment the date of the successful assessment is the starting date from which the eligibility of a referee to apply for regrading to Class 2 is determined.

10. Eligibility to move from Class 4 to undergo a Class 3 field assessment is based on the acceptable age of the applicant and being able to be appointed to an appropriate level of game for a Class 3 field assessment.

11. All matters relating to the Class 3 and Class 4 remain the responsibility of the Branch. The Branch will provide all relevant detail on successful candidates as soon as possible

Class 2

1. Applicants wishing to apply for a full Class 2 classification must have had the equivalent of two full seasons continuous experience as a Class 3 referee during which time they have refereed at least twenty (20) Class 3 level games.

2. Applicants holding their Class 3 classification for twelve months or more wishing to obtain a Class 2 Theory only qualification, may make application to the appropriate Examining Authority for their consideration and approval.

3. Applicants must attend at least two coaching sessions conducted by the Branch before being permitted to sit for the Class 2 Theory Examination.

4. Should any Branch not have a suitably qualified person (minimum qualification of the person being Class 2 Theory) to conduct the coaching sessions or the Class 2 Theory Examination they must make the necessary arrangements with the NSW Soccer Referees Inc Examination Chairman.

5. The Class 2 Theory Examination is available as a paper "A" or paper "B" both requiring the candidate to achieve at least an 85% pass mark and may be conducted as a written or oral examination.

6. Should the applicant fail to achieve the 85% pass mark they may sit the other available paper no sooner than one month after their unsuccessful attempt.

7. In the event that the applicant again fails to achieve the 85% pass mark then any further attempts will be at the discretion of the Examining Authority.

8. For the applicant to obtain their full Class 2 classification, when the required theory pass mark is attained, they will be required to undergo two field assessments. These will be done on a level of game as arranged and approved appropriate by the NSW Soccer Referees Inc or ASRF NSW Division after and only after a correct application has been lodged. It shall not be set on the highest graded game for the particular area.

9. Applicants will be appointed by the NSW Soccer Referees Inc or ASRF NSW Division to two games of an appropriate level. The applicant will be assessed by an approved Inspector on each game and must achieve a field assessment mark on each occasion of at least 6.

10. Should the applicant fail to reach the required field assessment of 6 on either occasion they will be deemed to have failed and will be required to apply for a further two field assessments. The scheduling of any new application for field assessment will be at the discretion of the NSW Soccer Referees Inc or ASRF NSW Division.

Class 1

1. Applicants wishing to apply for a full Class 1 classification must have had the equivalent of two full seasons continuous experience as a Class 2 during which time they have refereed at least twenty (20) Class 2 level games.

2. Applicants holding their Class 2 classification for twelve months or more wishing to obtain a Class 1 Theory only qualification, may make application to the appropriate Examining Authority for their consideration and approval.

3. Applicants must attend at least two coaching sessions conducted by the Branch before an application for regrading to Class 1 is forwarded to the NSW Soccer Referees Inc who will require the applicant to undergo further instruction at their discretion. Applicants will only proceed further when and only when correct applications have been received.

4. Should any Branch not have a suitably qualified person (minimum qualification being Class 1 Theory) to conduct the coaching sessions they must make the necessary arrangements with the NSW Soccer Referees Inc Examination Chairman.

5. The Class 1 Theory Examination is an oral examination conducted only under the direct control of the NSW Soccer Referees Inc or ASRF NSW Division.

6. Applicants will be asked 40 questions with a scale of marking applied by the examiners which requires the applicant to attain at least 85 marks.

7. Should the applicant fail to achieve a mark of 85 they are required to make a new application to the Examining Authority no sooner than one month from their last attempt. Any further attempts will be at the discretion of the Examining Authority.

8. For the applicant to obtain their full Class 1 classification, when the required theory pass mark is attained, they will be required to undergo two field assessments on a level of game as arranged and approved appropriate by the NSW Soccer Referees Inc or ASRF NSW Division. It should be set on the highest graded game for the particular area.

9. Applicants will be appointed by the NSW Soccer Referees Inc or ASRF NSW Division to two games of an appropriate level. The applicants will be assessed by two approved Inspectors on each game and must achieve a combined assessment on each occasion of at least 6.

10. Should the applicant fail to reach the required field assessment of 6 on either occasion they will be deemed to have failed and will be required to apply for a further two field assessments. The scheduling of any new application for field assessment will be at the discretion of the Examining Authority.

1. The two year period for upgrading from Class 3 to Class 2 to Class 1 commences from the date of the last successful field assessment that the applicant has completed which qualified them for a full Class 3 or Class 2 classification.

2. The mere fact that an applicant has held their classification for the required two-year period does not automatically grant an applicant the right to be regraded to the next classification.

3. The Examining Authority, being the NSW Soccer Referees Inc and its Affiliated Branches or the ASRF NSW Division at all times reserves the right to reject or delay any application for regrading they receive.

4. The Examining Authority at all times can require any applicant to undergo a series of field assessments at their local level to satisfy the Examining Authority that the applicant is ready to proceed to the classification for which they have applied.

5. Applicants over 50 years of age will have their first field assessment on a local game of their Branch using an approved Inspector or Inspectors.

6. Applicants will be generally required to attend games outside their Branch area for Class 1 and Class 2 field assessments. However, the NSW Soccer Referees Inc will always retain the right to direct applicants to field assessment games in any area chosen by the Examining Authority.

7. Applicants achieving a Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 classification under the NSW Soccer Referees Inc that transfer to or dual register with the ASRF NSW Division will be subject to further regrading to comply with their Examining Authority.

8. Applicants achieving a Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 classification under the NSW Soccer Referees Inc that transfer to or dual register with an affiliated Branch will have their classification recognised by that Branch, however, at all times the Branch has the right to appoint in accordance with the requirements of the competitions they service. This may not be at the same level the transferee was officiating at in their previous Branch.

9. Irrespective of which affiliated Referees Organisation an applicant successfully completes the required current National Theory Examination relevant to a classification, that theory classification remains with the applicant.

10. The NSW Soccer Referees Inc may give consideration to any Branch request to allow an applicant to proceed with regrading prior to the required time period. Any decision taken on such request cannot be used as precedent for any other similar requests relating to regrading.

1. Inspectors for full Class 4 will be entirely at the discretion of the Branch. Delay in completing grading inspections at this level is unacceptable and must be kept to a minimum. Inspectors for grading this classification can be drawn from any qualified referee that has the ability to convey the basics of refereeing. Inspection at this level should be viewed very much as a coaching role whereby the primary requirement is to get this level of referee onto games.

2. Inspectors for Class 4 classification should only use a coaching sheet without a mark being displayed. The examining authority must however be advised if the applicant was seen to achieve a satisfactory level of performance earning them the nominally required mark of 6.

3. Inspectors for Class 3 will be entirely at the discretion of the Branch. Inspectors at this level should have at least three years refereeing experience at this level and it would be desirable, but not essential, that they have completed a level 1 inspector’s course.

4. Inspectors involved in field assessments for Class 3 grading are required to complete a standard inspection form. Running sheets are not required. However, should it be necessary to fail an applicant it is advisable to provide a running sheet to assist the applicant understand the reason why they were unsuccessful.

5. Inspectors for Class 2 will be organised by the NSW Soccer Referees Inc through the Examination Chairman. Inspectors generally will be taken from a panel of inspectors available to the NSW Soccer Referees Inc for regrading purposes. The Examination Chairman is not limited to this panel and may at his discretion call for inspectors from Branches to carry out inspections. The ASRF NSW Division will make its own inspection arrangements.

6. In the event the inspector is not in attendance another inspection will be arranged for the applicant as soon as possible.

7. Inspectors for Class 1 will be organised similarly to Class 2 including the additional inspector that is required.

8. In the event one of the two inspectors does not attend then the inspection will be carried out by the remaining inspector who will make their report in the normal way to the Examination Chairman. The Examination Chairman will have the authority to accept the inspection result or arrange another inspection at the earliest opportunity.

9. Formal inspection reports are required for both Class 1 and Class 2. A single report only is required for Class 1 and not one from each inspector. Running sheets are not required for either Class 1 or Class 2, however, they are desirable should an applicant be unsuccessful.

1. Any applicant that is unsuccessful with their application lodged with their Branch for regrading may appeal the rejection to their Branch. Any such appeal must be made in accordance with the Branch’s Rules and Regulations or Constitution.

2. Any applicant that is not satisfied with an unsuccessful Class 3 regrading inspectors result may appeal the result to their Branch. Any such appeal must be within the provisions of and in accordance with the Branch’s Rules and Regulations or Constitution.

3. Any applicant that is not satisfied with the result of a Class 1 or Class 2 regrading inspection may submit a written request through their Branch to the NSW Soccer Referees Inc seeking a review of the result. Any such request must state specifically the reason for the review.

4. The NSW Soccer Referees Inc Examination Chairman has the power to reject, review and amend or to refer to the Management Committee for their consideration any written request for review of a regrading Class 1 or Class 2 inspection that is in question.

5. ASRF NSW Division applicants may lodge an appropriate appeal in accordance with the requirements of the ASRF NSW Division.

1. When a referee has been a non-active field referee for an entire period in excess of 24 months they shall be required to attend the annual Branch seminar or any other suitable forum to be instructed on any recent Law amendments and local requirements. They should then undergo a suitable field assessment so as to confirm or amend their previous classification.

2. When a referee has been a non-active field referee for an entire period in excess of 36 months they shall be required to attend the annual Branch seminar or any other suitable forum to be instructed on any recent Law amendments and local requirements. The Branch will then conduct a theory examination at a suitable level to ascertain the person’s knowledge of the Laws of the Game and arrange at Branch level a field assessment to determine an appropriate classification into which the person should be reinstated.

3. Referees returning from periods as a non-active field referee longer than 48 months should be considered as new applicants.

4. When considering a referee’s period as a non-active field referee from the game any time spent during that period continuously involved as a player or coach of the game should be taken into consideration.

5. The NSW Soccer Referees Inc are to be advised in the appropriate manner of the classification to which the referee has been reinstated by the Branch.

1. Referees joining a Branch that can show they are current active field referees coming from interstate or overseas and can provide suitable credentials from another Referees Organisation which should include a letter of clearance should only need to undergo a field assessment conducted by the Branch. When to the satisfaction of the Branch suitable field assessments have been completed the Branch shall determine what classification will be given to that referee.

2. The NSW Soccer Referees Inc are to be advised in the appropriate manner the classification given to the referee by the Branch.

3. Referees joining a Branch from interstate or overseas who are unable to satisfy the Branch that they have regularly refereed during the past 12 months shall be treated as a returning referee non-active in excess of 24 months.

4. Referees joining a Branch from interstate or overseas who are unable to satisfy the Branch that they have regularly refereed during the past 24 months shall be treated as a returning referee non-active in excess of 36 months.

1. Applicant’s 12 years of age to 14 years of age are to be classified for Roo Ball or Mini Soccer.

2. Theory Examination for this level is at the discretion of each Branch that provides a service to this level of the game. While the format of the game played at this level varies each Branch should construct a theory course that meets the requirements of this level of game as played in any given Branch area.

3. Full classification which includes the on field evaluation shall also be at the discretion of each Branch.

4. Issue of any official certificate for recognition at this level of the game is to be done by each participating Branch at this level.

5. Use of Roo Ball or Mini Soccer referee’s as assistant referees on competition games should be treated as club assistant referees with separate instruction given on the duties and functions of an assistant referee.

6. All referees involved in Roo Ball or Mini Soccer must be registered with the NSW Soccer Referees Inc in the appropriate manner.