Online Laws of the Game

The web site of Football Federation Australia (FFA) includes a page that gives access to the laws of football. That page is referred to as the Online Laws of the Game.

Via the Online Laws of the Game web page, you can browse through the Laws of the Game. You can also register for an account which enables you to complete the interactive workbook and receive your Laws of the Game Certificate.

CLICK HERE to go to the FFA's Online Laws of the Game web site.

If you already have an account or don't wish to complete the interactive tasks, click here to go directly to the 'laws' section of the FFA's Online Laws of the Game web site.

So You Want To Be An Official Referee?

1. Click on the above 'CLICK HERE' link to go to the FFA’s Online Laws of the Game web site.
2. Enter the FFA web site and follow the instructions for completing the Online Laws of the Game program.
3. Complete the exam and obtain a hard copy of your FFA (Football Federation Australia) certificate.
4. Send a copy of your certificate to the Newcastle Football Referees branch coach at branchcoach(at)newcastlefootballreferees.com.au
   (without any spaces or line breaks and replacing ‘at’ with @)
5. You will then be placed in the next available 4.2 course. When the date for that course is set you will be invited to attend a two (2) night mid-week course. Each night will be for about three (3) hours per night.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will then be eligible to make application to join Newcastle, Macquarie or Hunter Referees.

Referee Career Path

1. Complete your full Level 4 certificate, you will be appointed to pre-season trial games. You will have to successfully complete an assessment as a Referee and an Assistant Referee. You will also have to submit your Level 4.2 Workbook.
2. You will referee normal competition games in your first season.
3. At the start of the next season you will commence your Level 3 (Theory). You will be issued with a workbook that has to be completed and submitted for examination.
4. Once you have obtained your Level 3 (Theory) you will then be appointed to upgrade games, depending on your age. If you under the age of 18 then your upgrade games will be on U/17A grade. If you are over 18 then your upgrade games will be Men’s All/Age A.
5. Once you have gained your full Level 3 certificate you are eligible to make application to join State League Referees