First Year Match Official Registration
Registrations for the 2025 season are open via the online PlayFootball system. First Year Match Official Registration is free. Please select from the following links below to complete your registration
2025 First Year Referee – Senior (Ages 18+)
2025 First Year Referee – Junior (Ages 13-17)
Working With Children Check Cards
All referees are REQUIRED to have a valid WWCC including referees under the age of 18.
Laws of the game
Find a link below to IFAB Laws of the Game
https://www.theifab.com/laws-of-the-game-documents/?language=all&year=2024%2F25
Squadi
Once your referee registration is approved, you will receive an invite to download the Squadi app. If you are already using the app for a different role within football, you do not need to sign-up again – The app will automatically update with the referee functionality.
Squadi is where referees manage their profile to officiate and include the following functions,
- Setting of availability
- Accepting match appointments
- View full details of fixtures, including directions to the venue
- Ability to report incidents
- If applicable, view details of other match officials appointed to the fixture
Apparel and Equipment
Apparel and Equipment can be purchased from the online Belgravia store.
Referees who purchased the Become a Referee Package will be sent a unique code via email upon completion of course and approved Referee Registration. Here you be able to order your First Year Referee uniform bundle free of charge (Excluding shipping).
Other items are available for purchase via the online store, please see below for a guide around what additional items you may wish to purchase.
How to set availability in Squadi
On the Squadi app, click on bottom section where it says more with the three dots.
Then click on “My Availability” and select times in which you are available.
Your times shown as available are when the colour turns from red to green.
What games can I referee?
Junior Match Officials can officiate on the following competitions:
All Levels of Junior Competitions
All Levels of Adult Community Competitions (Men’s and Women’s Metropolitan, Masters and Amateur Divisions)
NPL/State League - Assistant Referee (Aged 16+)
School Games
How Match Appointments Work
Match official appointments to Football West games are distributed weekly via the Squadi app for referees to accept.
Weekly Timeline for the distribution of appointments:
Adult Referees (18+) to have accurate availability set in their Squadi profile by 9am each Monday for the upcoming week and weekend
Junior Referees (13-17to have accurate availability set in their Squadi profile by 9am each Wednesday for the upcoming week and weekend
Schedule for Release of Appointments to Match Officials
Senior Competitions, (NPL, State League and Amateur Leagues by close of business each Monday
Adult Community Competitions (Men’s and Women’s Metropolitan and Masters Leagues) by close of business each Tuesday
All Junior League Competitions by close of business each Wednesday
A full list of games that still require a referee will be distributed to all referees each Thursday for nominates for additional games to officiate.
All appointments will be finalised by close of business each Friday.
What to do on matchday
Community Competitions
Arrive at game well-presented a minimum of 30-45 minutes before kick-off. (Either in FW Polo or Referee Uniform)
Make sure to have your whistle, flags, different colour shirts (if applicable), notebook, pen, and watch.
Greet team officials, collect match fee from each team (50% from each team),
Inspect the field of play, ensure line markings are correct and visible, nets are secure with no holes and there are no hazards to the participants.
Identify who will be your volunteer assistant referees for each team and provide them with your pre-match instructions. Good practice is to ask them to signal for throw-ins, goal kicks and corners to the direction of the team they believe should be awarded the decision. Volunteer assistants should also signal when they believe a player is in an offside position and is either playing/attempting to play the ball or impacting an opponent. Remember these volunteers are here to assist you but the final decision rests with you as the referee.
Perform the coin toss between the captains of each team to decide to kick off and count the number of players before kicking off.
Begin your match and have fun!
EtrainU
EtrainU is the Football Australia platform referees uses to manage their accreditation and also seek any additional training.
2025 Match Official Payments
Click here to access information relating to match fee payments to referees
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What if I play/coach on weekends
A: This will not prevent you from refereeing. Simply update your Squadi to reflect when you are available to referee? Squadi allows the Referee Department to have visibility of where you are playing/coaching which ensures that match appointments can still be given to you, subject to your availability.
Q: What if my availability changes after the above deadline?
A: Update the Squadi app in the first instance and send a courtesy email to referees@footballwest.com.au
Q: What if I can no longer attend my game
A: Press “no” on the fixture tile and call the staff member responsible for that competition
Q: Can I do mid-week games?
A: Yes, there are opportunities to officiate on any given day. To be considered, please ensure that you have accurate availability set in the Squadi app.
Physical Referee Training
Referee training is held at Noranda Sporting Complex, Morley each Monday and Wednesday from 6:30pm-7:45pm.
There is no charge to attend training, which is open to referees of all levels and ages. Training occurs throughout the year unless communicated otherwise by the Referee Department.
Match Official Development & Coaching Nights
Coaching nights will be held every month commencing April on the following dates:
Wednesday April 9
Wednesday May 14
Wednesday June 11
Wednesday July 16
Monday August 11 & Wednesday 13 – Junior Finals Workshop
The above sessions are held at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, Queens Park 6pm-7.30pm. All referees are encouraged to attend these evenings which are free of charge to all attendees.