AFL umpire Salary 2024: How Much earn per Game?

If you are a fan of Australian rules football, you might have wondered how much the umpires who officiate the games earn. Umpiring is a challenging and rewarding profession that requires skill, fitness, and integrity. But how much do AFL umpires get paid per game, and who are the highest paid umpires in the league?

In this article, we will answer these questions and more, based on the latest information available for the 2024 season. We will also provide some tips on how to become an AFL umpire, and what are the benefits and challenges of this career.

How much do AFL umpires earn per game?

The average salary of an AFL umpire per game is between $2,500 to $3,500. This amount varies depending on the experience and performance of the umpire, as well as the level of the game. For example, a rookie umpire who is officiating a regular season game will earn less than a veteran umpire who is officiating a finals game.

The salary of an AFL umpire per game also includes match fees, travel allowances, and bonuses. Match fees are paid for each game that an umpire is appointed to, and they range from $1,150 to $1,500. Travel allowances cover the expenses of travelling to and from the game venue, and they vary depending on the distance and mode of transport. Bonuses are paid for achieving certain milestones or recognition, such as umpiring a certain number of games, being selected for finals or grand finals, or winning awards.

10 highest paid umpires in the AFL

The 10 highest paid umpires in the AFL are based on their total earnings for the 2024 season, which include their salary per game, match fees, travel allowances, and bonuses. The list is as follows:

1. Mathew Nicholls – $411,000
2. Shaun Ryan – $401,000
3. Chris Donlon – $401,000
4. Ray Chamberlain – $395,000
5. Brett Rosebury – $390,000
6. Simon Meredith – $385,000
7. Matt Stevic – $380,000
8. Justin Schmitt – $375,000
9. Andrew Stephens – $370,000
10. Robert Findlay – $365,000

These figures are based on the official statistics from the AFL Umpires Association, as well as the estimated match fees and bonuses from various sources.

How to become an AFL umpire?

If you are interested in becoming an AFL umpire, you will need to follow these steps:

• Join your local community football league as an umpire. You can start as young as 13 years old, and you will need to complete an online accreditation course and pass a fitness test.
• Umpire at least two seasons at the community level, and receive positive feedback from your coaches and mentors.
• Apply for the state talent pathway program, which is run by each state’s AFL body. You will need to pass a more rigorous fitness test and attend training sessions and workshops.
• Umpire at least two seasons at the state level, and receive positive feedback from your coaches and mentors.
• Apply for the national talent pathway program, which is run by the AFL. You will need to pass an even more rigorous fitness test and attend training sessions and workshops.
• Umpire at least two seasons at the national level, which includes the VFL (Victorian Football League), SANFL (South Australian National Football League), WAFL (West Australian Football League), NEAFL (North East Australian Football League), and TSL (Tasmanian State League).
• Receive an invitation from the AFL to join the senior panel of umpires. You will need to sign a contract and attend training sessions and workshops with the other AFL umpires.

Benefits and challenges of being an AFL umpire

Being an AFL umpire has many benefits and challenges, such as:

• Benefits:
  • You get to be part of one of the most popular and exciting sports in Australia.
  • You get to travel around the country and experience different stadiums and crowds.
  • You get to work with some of the best athletes and coaches in the world.
  • You get to earn a good income that is tax-free, as umpiring is considered a hobby.
  • You get to improve your physical and mental health, as well as your communication and decision-making skills.
  • You get to join a supportive and professional community of fellow umpires.
• Challenges:
  • You have to deal with a lot of pressure and scrutiny from the players, coaches, fans, and media.
  • You have to cope with a lot of physical and mental stress and fatigue, as well as the risk of injury.
  • You have to balance your umpiring commitments with your personal and professional life, as umpiring can be time-consuming and demanding.
  • You have to constantly update your knowledge and skills, as the rules and interpretations of the game can change frequently.
  • You have to accept that you will make mistakes and face criticism, as umpiring is not an exact science.

Conclusion

Umpiring is a vital and rewarding aspect of Australian rules football, but it is also a challenging and demanding profession. Umpires earn a decent salary per game, but they also have to work hard and perform well to maintain their position and reputation. Umpires are passionate and dedicated individuals who love the game and strive to uphold its integrity and spirit.

If you are interested in becoming an AFL umpire, you will need to follow a long and rigorous pathway that requires skill, fitness, and integrity. You will also need to be prepared for the benefits and challenges that come with this career.

We hope that this article has given you some insight into the AFL umpire salary, 10 highest paid umpires, and how to become an AFL umpire. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.

Most asked questions and answers

Here are some of the most asked questions and answers about AFL umpire salary, 10 highest paid umpires, and how to become an AFL umpire:

• Q: How much do AFL umpires earn per year?
• A: The average annual salary of an AFL umpire is between $100,000 to $150,000. This amount varies depending on the number of games that an umpire is appointed to, as well as their experience and performance.
• Q: How much do AFL umpires earn for finals and grand finals?
• A: The match fees for finals and grand finals are higher than regular season games. For example, in 2022, the match fees for finals were $2,500 for field umpires, $1,500 for boundary umpires, and $1,250 for goal umpires. The match fees for grand finals were $4,000 for field umpires, $2,500 for boundary umpires, and $2,000 for goal umpires.
• Q: Who is the best AFL umpire?
• A: There is no definitive answer to this question, as different umpires have different strengths and weaknesses. However, some of the factors that can be used to measure the quality of an umpire are their accuracy, consistency, communication, positioning, fitness, professionalism, and recognition. Based on these factors, some of the most respected and awarded AFL umpires are Brett Rosebury, Ray Chamberlain, Shaun Ryan, Matt Stevic, Simon Meredith, Mathew Nicholls, Chris Donlon, Justin Schmitt, Andrew Stephens, and Robert Findlay.
• Q: How many AFL umpires are there?
• A: There are three types of AFL umpires: field umpires, boundary umpires, and goal umpires. In 2023, there were 32 field umpires, 34 boundary umpires, and 34 goal umpires on the senior panel of AFL umpires. There were also 12 emergency field umpires, 12 emergency boundary umpires, and 12 emergency goal umpires on the development panel of AFL umpires.
• Q: How do AFL umpires communicate with each other?
• A: AFL umpires communicate with each other using radio headsets that are connected to a central control room. The headsets allow the umpires to talk to each other during the game, as well as receive instructions from the control room. The control room monitors the game using video replays and score reviews. The headsets also allow the field umpires to communicate with the players and coaches using microphones that are broadcasted through the stadium speakers.
• Q: What are the rules for AFL umpiring?
• A: The rules for AFL umpiring are based on the Laws of Australian Football, which are updated every year by the AFL. The laws cover all aspects of the game, such as scoring, kicking in danger, holding the ball, marking, tackling, ruck contests, out of bounds, 50-metre penalties, deliberate rushed behinds, interchange infringements, score reviews, and more. The laws also specify the roles and responsibilities of each type of umpire, as well as the signals and whistle codes that they use