Football Australia (FA), the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Professional Football Referees Australia (PFRA) have established a shared framework for refereeing through to the end of the 2026/27 season, ensuring Australia's top officials will be in charge for a bumper series of matches in October.
The agreement, struck ahead of the Australia Cup Final and the launch of the 2026/27 A-League and second Australian Championship seasons, reinforces the three parties' commitment to the continued development of refereeing in Australian football.
Under this agreement, the referees will be contracted and employed exclusively by Football Australia, with the APL covering the costs for A-League matches.
With the coming season now settled, FA, the APL and PFRA will continue working together towards a long-term agreement.
Football Australia CEO Martin Kugeler highlighted the crucial role referees and match officials play in Australian football, and praised all parties for working together to reach an agreement that provides certainty for the 2026/27 season.
Quotes attributable to Football Australia CEO, Martin Kugeler:
“Referees are highly valued members of our game, and we are pleased that Football Australia, the APL and PFRA have come together around a shared path forward for Australian refereeing.
“The dialogue over recent weeks has been constructive and respectful. Each party has approached the discussions with a genuine commitment to strengthening refereeing and ensuring the interests of the game remain at the centre of our thinking.
Referees will be contracted and employed by Football Australia with the APL covering the costs for A-League matches.
“This provides a strong platform for the 2026/27 season, while giving all three parties the opportunity to continue working together on how we further strengthen and develop refereeing in Australia over the longer term.
“We have an outstanding group of Australian referees, and we now look forward to seeing them on the pitch as our attention turns to an exciting period of football ahead, beginning with the Australia Cup Final and continuing into the A-League season and Australian Championship.”
Quotes attributable to APL CEO, Steve Rosich:
“We have liaised closely with Football Australia on this, and we're pleased a resolution has been reached. We look forward to the new A-Leagues season kicking off on Friday 16 October with the Sydney Derby at Allianz Stadium."
Quotes attributable to PFRA President, Evgeny Vizelman:
“The PFRA welcomes the agreement reached with Football Australia, which provides our members with the immediate certainty they need and allows our referees to return their full focus to officiating.
“Importantly, this agreement also creates an opportunity for ongoing collaboration regarding the longer-term future of elite refereeing. We remain committed to working constructively with Football Australia and the APL to develop a sustainable structure that supports the continued growth and professionalisation of refereeing in Australia.
“We believe there is a genuine opportunity to build something that works for all parts of the game. Our members are looking forward to getting back on the field and to working with both organisations to ensure Australian refereeing continues to progress domestically and on the international stage.”
