How old do I need to be to boundary umpire, and what accreditation do I need?

Under the AFL National Community Football Policy Handbook (February 2026), Section 6:

• Minimum age: boundary and goal umpires must be 9 years or older in the year before the playing year. The league or umpiring group must also consider your physical capacity, experience, skill level and social maturity, and child safeguarding, when appointing you.
• Accreditation: you must be eligible and accredited to umpire a match, unless your controlling body (the league or state body) allows otherwise under its own rules. To apply, you register on the AFL Umpire Learning Platform, complete the application honestly, do any required training, and hold a current working with children check (or the equivalent in your state or territory).
• Field umpires have higher minimum ages by age group: 12 or older in the year before for Under 8 to Under 11, rising to 16 or older for Under 15 to Seniors.
• Disclosure: if after applying you are charged with or convicted of a criminal offence, or your working with children check (or equivalent) expires or is suspended or revoked, you must tell the AFL within seven days by email to umpireregistrar@afl.com.au.