NRL referee salary and the national full-time average
If you are looking for a single, official figure for an NRL referee’s salary, you will not find one in the main Australian salary data sources. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish a specific pay rate for this specific role. This page explains what the data does show, how to read pay as a year, a week, and an hour, and how the national full-time average can serve as a benchmark.
What the official data says
The ABS publishes the national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings twice a year. The latest release, for May 2026, puts the average at $2,083.70 per week – about $108,352 per year when multiplied by 52 weeks. This is the figure we use as the line on this site. The ABS also provides a full-time median of about $90,532 per year (from the Employee Earnings survey, August 2025), and an all-employees median of about $74,100.
For the occupation that covers NRL referees – Sports Umpires (ANZSCO 452322) – Jobs and Skills Australia reports that median weekly earnings are N/A. This means the data is not reliable enough to publish, often because the sample size is too small or the occupation is highly part-time. According to the same source, 98% of Sports Umpires work part-time, and the median age is just 16 years. That profile suggests that many umpires are junior or casual, and their earnings are not representative of a professional NRL referee.
Reading the same pay as a year, a week, and an hour
Even without a specific NRL referee figure, you can use the national average to understand how any salary compares. The site shows a yearly salary before tax, then converts it to a weekly amount (based on 52 weeks) and an hourly rate (based on a 38-hour week). It also shows the distance from the full-time average.
For example, if an NRL referee earned exactly the national average of $108,352 per year, that would be $2,083.70 per week and $54.83 per hour (on a 38-hour week). But because most referees are paid per match or on a part-time basis, their effective hourly rate could be much higher or lower depending on the number of hours worked.
How NRL referee pay might compare
While no official figure exists, anecdotal reports suggest senior NRL referees earn well above the national average. However, this site relies only on published data from the ABS, Fair Work, and the ATO. We cannot confirm any specific amount. If you have a salary in mind, you can place it on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average, the median, and the minimum wage.
State and territory averages
The national average varies by location. For instance, the full-time average in New South Wales is about $109,658 per year, while in Queensland it is about $106,064. NRL referees based in Sydney or Brisbane might use their state average as a more local benchmark. See the states and territories page for the full list.
Other benchmarks
- **National minimum wage from 1 July 2026: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week (38-hour week), about $52,255 per year. Award minimums rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026.
- Full-time median: about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
- All-employees median: about $74,100 per year.
These figures are distinct from the average. The average is pulled up by higher earners; the median is the middle point. For most workers, the median is a better guide to typical pay.
Where to look for more detail
If you are an NRL referee or an employer trying to set a fair wage, the best source is the relevant award or enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Commission’s Guides may help you understand how awards are structured. For a broader view of how salaries are set, see How the figures are set.
Conclusion
This site uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 as the national full-time line. Because the ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish a salary for NRL referees, we cannot give a precise comparison. But you can use the tools on this site to compare any salary you have in mind. About this site explains our methodology.