FAQs

How old do I need to be to Umpire?
Umpire are required to be a minimum of 12 years of age to register for boundary and goals, and 13 to register as a field umpire. This means that Umpires are typically in years 7-8 of school when they begin their journey. AFLNT supports Umpires who are in high school, retired, and everywhere in between.

Do I need to have played AFL before to Umpire?
No! In fact, you do even need to have heard of AFL before, to start your Umpiring journey. Many of our Umpires come from multicultural backgrounds and other sports and join so that they can be a part of a community. When you register, AFLNT will provide formal, inclusive learning opportunities to help you gain confidence on-field. Once you have completed these short courses, we let you decide when you are ready to start Umpiring in matches.

Do I need a WWCC?
If you are over the age of 18, you are required to hold a current WWCC to Umpire.

Where do I register?
We are always recruiting!
- Head to the “AFL Expressions of Interest” page and fill out the EIO form at the bottom of the page. From here, you will be contacted by AFLNT and given further information regarding Introductory Programs, Umpire Training, and other useful resources that will help you in getting started.
- You will be required to register online at OfficialsHQ before you can Umpire a match. This online registration process is a compulsory requirement for ALL umpires as listed through the AFL’s National Umpire Registration Process to comply with the privacy amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012.
- After you have registered, we recommend you join the AFLNT TeamApp group that is relevant to where you are Umpiring in the Territory.
- To join, you need to:
Download Stack Team App from the App Store of Google Play Store
Create an account with TeamApp o Select “Find your team”
Search for your relevant group. Eg. “NTFL Umpires”
Request access and fill out the form o Wait for approval! 

How often is training?
Training is held on different nights depending on which Competition you are Umpiring in. If you cannot find this information in your TeamApp Group, you can contact the AFLNT Umpiring Team at umpireaflnt@afl.com.au.

It is recommended that you treat Umpire Training like you would treat training for any other sports. At Umpire Training you will be presented with a mixture of onfield fitness, discipline-specific drills, and off-field vision/education sessions, and alternative training options like yoga, team-bonding, and nutrition education sessions.

Note: These alternative training options may vary from competition to competition.

What do I need to bring/Do I need a Uniform?
• Comfortable athletic clothing and footwear suitable for running
• Water bottle to stay hydrated
• Sunscreen and a hat for sun protection

Once you have completed the full registration requirements, you will be provided with the following, by AFLNT.
− 1x AFLNT Umpire Training Shirt or Singlet
− 1x AFLNT Umpire on-field polo
− 1x AFLNT Umpire on-field shorts
− 1x AFLNT Umpire on-field socks
− 1x AFLNT Umpire Cap
− 1x AFLNT Umpire on-field wristbands.

How does AFLNT communicate with Umpires?
AFLNT communicates with Umpires primarily via TeamApp. These communications are weekly/fortnightly depending on the competition and contain match-day information, important announcements, and expression-ofinterest opportunities.

The AFLNT Umpiring Team can also be contacted at umpireaflnt@afl.com.au 

When/How am I paid for the matches I Umpire?

Umpires are paid fortnightly, during their season, with payments being processed on Tuesdays and taking 1-2 business days to appear in most accounts. A full breakdown of Match Payment Information can be found on the Match Payment Information Page [coming soon]

How can I access my payslips?

Your payslip can be found in OfficialsHQ under the My OfficialsHQ tab and then select Payslips

Note: Umpires are classified by the ATO as Honorariums. This means that you do not need to provide a tax file number to AFLNT. It also means that Match Payments are tax exempt. 

What should parents of aspiring Umpires know?

AFLNT Umpiring Communication & Responsibility Guidelines

It is expected that Umpires have their own email address and take responsibility for checking it regularly, as this is the primary method of communication. Even our newest umpires are encouraged to communicate directly with the AFLNT Umpiring Team when necessary, rather than relying on parents to do so. For many young umpires, this is their first paid job, making it a great opportunity to develop professional communication skills.

We encourage all young umpires to take ownership of their role and ensure that their communication remains professional and respectful, similar to what would be expected in a workplace or school setting. When contacting umpiring staff or coaches, umpires should always include their name and contact details to ensure clear and efficient communication.

Match Day Responsibilities

Field umpires are required to complete an online match report after each game. This should be submitted on match day, as match payments are processed on Mondays. Since younger umpires are at school on Mondays and may not be easily contactable, it is crucial that reports are completed promptly. If an umpire does not respond to multiple emails or texts regarding their report, a parent may be contacted as a last resort—though this is not preferred.

Building Confidence & Leadership

One of the key benefits of umpiring is the development of self-confidence, responsibility, and leadership skills. By encouraging young umpires to handle their own communication and responsibilities, they gain valuable life skills that will help them in their future careers.

Parental Involvement

While we encourage young umpires to take the lead in communication, parents are welcome to join the AFLNT Umpiring TeamApp to stay informed about important updates, scheduling, and general umpiring information. This ensures everyone remains connected and up to date.

We appreciate the ongoing support of parents, guardians, and families in helping our young umpires grow into confident and capable officials