How to become a Sports Umpire

Also called: Referee

Officiates at sporting events such as netball, hockey, football, basketball, cricket, boxing and wrestling matches, by interpreting and enforcing match rules.

Main tasks

• Interprets and enforces match rules at sporting events
• Observes and assesses player actions to determine rule violations
• Makes decisions on penalties, fouls and other infractions during matches
• Communicates with players, coaches and officials to clarify rules and resolve disputes
• Signals and announces decisions and penalties to players and spectators
• Monitors the safety and fair play of the game, intervening when necessary
• Keeps accurate records of match events, including scores, penalties and player actions
• Attends training sessions and meetings to stay updated on rule changes and officiating techniques
• Assists in the training and development of other sports officials

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Diploma of Sport (SIS50321); Certificate II in Sport - Developing Athlete (SIS20221)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $74,984 a year
• About 58,800 people work in this job group now, and about 65,900 are projected by 2035. (+12.1%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Sports Umpire?

Ways in include: Diploma of Sport; Certificate II in Sport - Developing Athlete.

How much does a Sports Umpire earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $74,984 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Sports Umpire a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 58,800 to about 65,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Sports Umpire?

Usually not. Only 3% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Diploma of Sport; Certificate II in Sport - Developing Athlete.

Will AI change the work of a Sports Umpire?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04