Official's Guide to Athletics Australia Track and Field All ages 2026/27

Under the World Athletics Technical Rules:

• Except in combined events, the athlete(s) responsible for a false start are disqualified, and the starter's assistants raise a red and black (diagonally halved) card in front of them.
• In combined events, after a first false start the athlete(s) responsible and all the other athletes in the race are warned with a yellow and black (diagonally halved) card. Anyone responsible for further false starts is disqualified and shown the red and black card.
• If a recalled or aborted start is not due to any athlete, no warnings are given and a green card is shown to all the athletes.
• The starter should warn or disqualify only the athlete or athletes who, in their opinion, were responsible, which may be more than one.
• When a World Athletics certified Start Information System is in use, the starter and/or an assigned recaller wears headphones to hear the signal for a possible false start (reaction time less than 0.100 second). If the gun was fired, there is a recall and the starter immediately examines the reaction times and other information to confirm which athletes are responsible.
• The starter or any recaller who thinks a start was not fair (for example blocks slipping or a foreign object interfering) recalls the athletes by firing a gun or activating a suitable audible signal.

Source: https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules (Technical Rules, the start)

Under the World Athletics Technical Rules (unless the applicable regulations provide otherwise):

• Athletes compete in an order drawn by lot, with a fresh draw for the final if there is a qualification round.
• Except in the high jump and pole vault, no athlete has more than one trial recorded in any one round.
• With more than eight athletes, each gets three trials and the eight with the best valid performances get three additional trials. To progress, an athlete needs a measured mark from a fair jump or throw in at least one of their first three trials.
• With eight athletes or fewer, each gets six trials. Athletes with no valid trial in the first three rounds compete before those with valid trials, in the same relative order as the original draw.
• The order for later rounds is the reverse of the ranking after the first three rounds, unless regulations provide otherwise. Tied athletes keep their original draw order.
• The governing body's regulations may set the number of trials (no more than six) and how many athletes progress after the third.

At the Australian Athletics Championships, Under 13 to Under 18 athletes get one further trial for the top eight, and Under 20 and Open athletes get three further trials.

Sources: https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules, https://www.athletics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Australian-Track-and-Field-Championships-Technical-Regulations-2026-04-08.pdf

Under the World Athletics Technical Rules, the time starts when the responsible official indicates that all is ready (for the pole vault, when the crossbar has been adjusted to the athlete's previous wishes). If the time elapses after the athlete has started the trial, the trial is not disallowed. If the athlete decides not to attempt the trial, it is a failure once the allowed period elapses.

Individual events:

• More than 3 athletes remaining (or the very first trial of each athlete): 1 minute for high jump, pole vault and other events.
• 2 or 3 athletes: high jump 1.5 minutes, pole vault 2 minutes, other events 1 minute.
• 1 athlete: high jump 3 minutes, pole vault 5 minutes.

Combined events: the same, except with 1 athlete remaining it is 2 minutes for high jump and 3 minutes for pole vault.

If the time is exceeded the trial is recorded as a failure, unless a determination is made under Rule 25.18.

Source: https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules (Technical Rules, time allowed for trials)

Under the World Athletics Technical Rules:

• Distances are recorded to the nearest 0.01m below the distance measured, if it is not a whole centimetre.
• Each jump is measured immediately after each valid trial (or after an immediate oral protest). Measure from the nearest break in the landing area made by any part of the body, or anything attached to the body at that moment, to the take-off line or the take-off line extended. The measurement is taken perpendicular to the take-off line or its extension.
• Unless video measuring is used, place a marker (usually metal) vertically at the imprint nearest the take-off line. Pass it through the loop at the end of the steel tape so the "zero" is on the mark, and pull the tape out horizontally without placing it on any rise in the ground.
• As long as no irregularity has been committed, every trial is measured whatever the distance, because other measurements may be critical for countbacks or progression. Under normal practice no trial with an irregularity is measured.

Source: https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules (Technical Rules, horizontal jumps)

Under the World Athletics Technical Rules:

• Distances are recorded to the nearest 0.01m below the distance measured, if it is not a whole centimetre.
• Each throw is measured immediately after each valid trial (or after an immediate oral protest). For the shot, discus and hammer, measure from the nearest mark made when the implement first lands to the inside of the circle circumference, along a line to the centre of the circle. For the javelin, measure from the head's mark to the inside edge of the arc, along a line to the centre of the circle of which the arc is part.
• Unless video measuring is used, place a marker (usually metal) vertically at the imprint nearest the circle or arc. Pass it through the loop at the end of the steel tape so the "zero" is on the mark, and pull the tape out horizontally without placing it on any rise in the ground.
• As long as no irregularity has been committed, every trial is measured whatever the distance, because it may be critical for countbacks or progression. Under normal practice no trial with an irregularity is measured.
• A valid trial is indicated by the measurement taken. The judge does not raise a white flag until the trial is completed.

Source: https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules (Technical Rules, throwing events and field events)

Under the World Athletics Technical Rules:

• The running events referee ensures the wind gauge is placed beside the straight, adjacent to lane 1, 30m from the finish line for 50m and 60m races, or 50m from the finish line for 100m, 110m and 200m races. The measuring plane is 1.22m ± 0.05m high and not more than 2m from the track.
• Wind is measured from the flash or smoke of the starter's gun for: 5 seconds for 50m and 60m (and hurdles); 10 seconds for 100m; 13 seconds for 100m and 110m hurdles.
• For 200m races (except on a 200m standard oval track) wind is normally measured for 10 seconds, starting when the first athlete enters the straight.
• The gauge is read in metres per second, rounded to the next higher tenth in the positive direction unless the second decimal is zero. A reading of +2.03 is recorded as +2.1, and -2.03 as -2.0.

Source: https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules (Technical Rules, wind measurement)

Under the World Athletics Technical Rules, the field events referee ensures the wind gauge is placed 20m from the take-off line. The measuring plane is 1.22m ± 0.05m high and not more than 2m from the runway.

Wind velocity is measured for 5 seconds from the time an athlete passes a mark placed alongside the runway: 40m from the take-off line for the long jump and 35m for the triple jump. If an athlete runs less than 40m or 35m, as appropriate, the wind is measured from the time they commence their run.

Source: https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules (Technical Rules, horizontal jumps, wind measurement)

The Australian Athletics Officials' Education Scheme, shared by Athletics Australia and Little Athletics Australia, has these levels:

• Level 0: online introductory general principles course (ethics, preparation, safety, communication, conflict, people management). Not compulsory but strongly recommended.
• Level 1: entry level, no club or State Association membership needed. Twelve online courses: Track, Starting, Long Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault, Triple Jump, Hammer Throw, Javelin, Discus, Shot Put, Walks and Out of Stadia. Each takes about 45-90 minutes and ends with a quiz and a Certificate of Completion.
• Level 2: for officials seeking appointment as a State-level Chief or Referee, or a National-level Chief. Needs 15 practical days at approved meets (10 for Race Walking) signed off by a Level 2 or 3 official, at least one approved seminar, eLearning including para athletics, and an online exam with a 75% pass mark. Level 1 prerequisites apply (for Track, Level 1 Track and Starting).
• Level 3: the highest accreditation offered in Australia, for national-level appointments across Track, Jumps, Throws, Walks, Out of Stadia, Technical and Competition Management. The source page says Level 3 is still being developed.

At international level, the World Athletics Referees Education and Certification System has Bronze, Silver and Gold levels across General Referees, Race Walking Judges, Photo Finish Judges and Starters.

Sources: https://www.littleathletics.com.au/officiating-levels-3/, https://www.athletics.com.au/participant-hub/officials-volunteers/officials/international-technical-officials/

Australian Athletics says:

• Start at the World Athletics Education Hub for officiating training.
• All officials in Australia are encouraged to create a profile in Rosterfy. All nominations for Australian Athletics events are made through Rosterfy once you have an account.
• If the sign-up says your email is already in use, contact competitions@athletics.org.au.
• Officiating at local state meets is the usual entry point, and officials can attend as many or as few events as their circumstances allow.
• The National Athletics Referee (NAR) accreditation is recorded by uploading a form, via the link on the page, after completing the practical component.

Source: https://www.athletics.com.au/get-involved-athletics/become-an-official