In South Australia and elsewhere, entire rounds of games have been cancelled due to a lack of officials, affecting players and clubs across the country.
Australia's Referee Shortage
The game is booming, but there aren't enough match officials to keep up. The numbers below show the scale of the problem.
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Players
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Clubs
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Registered Referees
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Teams
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Referee Gap
Why Are Officials Leaving?
Abuse & Poor Treatment
Referees frequently endure verbal abuse, intimidation and even physical threats. Football Federation Australia loses around 3,500 referees each year because of abuse.
Low Pay & Limited Progression
Approximately 40% of registered match officials leave annually. Low remuneration and few pathways make retention difficult.
Gender Disparity
Women make up only 12% of referees. Increasing female participation requires role models and targeted support.
Overworked or inexperienced referees lead to more errors and inconsistent enforcement of the Laws of the Game.
Those who remain face heavy workloads and burnout. More than 70% cite abusive behaviour as a reason for quitting, and pay often doesn't compensate for the stress.
Fun Fact
Guess how many referees Australia needs each weekend?
Stricter penalties and zero tolerance policies can create a safer, more respectful environment. Campaigns like FNSW's "No Respect, No Game" show the way.
Mentorship, training and clear pathways can attract and keep referees involved. Promoting officiating as a valued role is essential.
Highlighting female role models and providing targeted opportunities encourages women to join and stay in officiating. The all-female A-League Men's crew in 2024 is a great example.
How You Can Help
- Encourage respect for match officials at every game.
- Consider becoming a referee to give back to the sport.
- Support referee development programs or mentor new officials.