See below the payment rates from 2024. It is pretty much a stipend to cover some costs for travelling etc. Publicly available in the association
annual report.
Many refs (particularly older ones) donate fees back to the association.
As for stepup, there is some cross over subbies to prem.
Under the old gradings (system changed this year) match rankings were 1. Shute Shield, 2. Colin Caird, 3. Colts1, 4. GPS 1, 5. CAS 1, 6. Henderson Shield, 7. Kentwell Cup, 8. Barraclough Cup. Kentwell refs could be appointed as far up as Colin Caird (B), and Colts 1 (C), Barraclough (D & C) would be mostly subbies dominant referees who could still be appointed Colts 2 and 4th grade in prem.
For finals, refs are selected from a certain grading upwards (e.g. 'H' and up), if you are selected your group is generally aimed at a lower grading than typical during a season as there are less games. At this time refs are chosen based on form and coaches select the lucky few that get a final each year. If you get a final you are doing pretty well at your level. A colleague refereed his first grand final in 2023 in his 30th year of refereeing.
NSWRRA Annual Report 2024
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