The Netball Australia Umpire Accreditation System is an educational pathway based on Netball Australia Umpiring Courses (Foundation and Elite), ongoing professional development and practical umpiring instruction through an experienced umpire coach system.
Assessment is based on the Rules of Netball Theory Examination, practical evaluation through an established competency based assessment system, self-reflection and, where possible, video analysis.
The culmination of this accreditation system, leads to practical assessment in a 4-tiered system of badges: C, B, A and the highest national award the AA (All Australia).
It is not essential to proceed sequentially through each badge level. The only pre-requisite badge level is an A Badge before testing for an AA Badge.
No age restrictions apply to candidates for any badge level.
Candidates may be tested up to twice in any calendar year for the same badge level.
How to Obtain or Update Your Umpire Accreditation
We have a new way to learn netball at our brand new Netball Learning Centre.
Head to https://learning.netball.com.au to get started.
If you are an existing learner, you can reset your password by following the reset password prompts and entering the email you use from your MyNetball account.
If you are a new learner, you can register for an account on the home screen.
Having trouble? Head to support.netball.com.au or email learning@netball.com.au.
Accreditation and Learning
Netball Australia, along with our 8 State and Territory Member Organisations deliver the accreditation framework in a blended learning approach. All of our Foundation Courses are offered fully online, with self-assessment and practical components supporting Umpires throughout the pathway.
To find out more, see PDF resources below for download.
National Umpire Accreditation Framework PDF resources
- National Umpire Development Framework
- Netball Australia Badge Competencies
- Member Organisation Umpire Performance Appraisal
Test Sheets
| C Badge Test Sheet | |
| B Badge Test Sheet | |
| A Badge Test Sheet | |
| AA Badge Test Sheet |
Umpiring Courses and Exams
Foundation Umpire Course
The Foundation Umpire Course is one of the pre-requisites for obtaining a National C Badge and participating in the Elite Umpire Course.
Coaches and players are also encouraged to complete the course to further support their understanding of the game.
Successful completion of the course provides you with one of the required pre-requisites for a National C Badge.
Elite Umpire Course
The Elite Umpire Course is for those umpires looking at refining their skills in a high performance environment. It has been designed to further develop umpiring skills, techniques, and increase understanding of the procedures and protocols of a higher level of umpiring.
The Elite Umpire Course is a pre-requisite for obtaining a National A Badge.
Rules of Netball Theory Examination
The Rules of Netball Theory Examination tests the basic rules of the game.
It is an online examination that is accessible all year. A certificate is generated for all candidates who achieve a pass (70% or above). The most recent examination mark is the current result and Pass marks are valid for 4 years.
It is highly recommended that prior to commencing this exam you read a copy of the Rules of Netball (2024).
Updating for on court umpires
We require all of our on court umpires to complete a series of tasks over a four year period after they’ve successfully attained their Netball Australia C, B, A or AA badge.
We recommend that all umpires continue to upgrade their knowledge, skills and competencies after they’ve attained their badge. Staying up-to-date maintains the overall quality of umpires in netball and makes sure they are provided with ongoing education and development opportunities.
Our ongoing education and development opportunities cover areas such as:
- The latest information on developments in netball
- Rules knowledge and current interpretations
- Access to the most up-to-date techniques and skills relating to umpiring
Maintaining your accreditation
We require umpires to reach a certain number of points of updating activity to maintain their accreditation at the relevant badge level.
For the A and AA badge, umpires must successfully complete a practical assessment as well.
50% of the required updating should be completed through on court umpiring. Practical umpiring can be undertaken at any level and may occur on a regular basis (weekly, fortnightly) or in specific situations such as camps, carnivals etc.
The successful completion of the Rules of Netball Theory Exam (pass mark as required for the badge being updated) is a mandatory updating requirements for all badge levels.
National Umpire Accreditation Updating Requirements
Updating – Presenters/Testers
Umpire Presenters and Testers that are no longer umpiring must hold a current (within the last 4 years) Rules of Netball Theory Exam pass mark relevant to their badge level to be eligible to present and/or test as part of the National Umpire Accreditation System.