Become an APL Referee
Learn the rules, develop your judging skills and gain the practical knowledge required to officiate at Australian Powerlifting League competitions.
The online course covers the theory component of the APL referee qualification pathway.
More Than Just Learning the Rulebook
Good refereeing requires more than memorising technical rules. The APL Referee Course is designed to help referees understand what to look for, where to position themselves and how to make clear, consistent decisions on the platform.
The course covers the technical requirements for the squat, bench press and deadlift, along with competition procedures, referee responsibilities, platform communication and common situations that officials may encounter during an event.
A structured program covering everything you need to officiate confidently at APL competitions.
Technical Judging
Learn the technical requirements for the squat, bench press and deadlift, including commands, depth, lockout and common reasons for a failed attempt.
Competition Procedures
Understand weigh-ins, platform conduct, misloads, attempt changes and the responsibilities of each referee position.
Practical Refereeing
Learn how to position yourself correctly, communicate with the platform team and apply the rules consistently in a real competition environment.
The course is open to anyone in the APL community - no refereeing experience required.
Open to the Community
The course is suitable for athletes, coaches, meet directors, volunteers and members of the powerlifting community who want to develop a stronger understanding of the rules and contribute to APL competitions.
- Athletes
- Coaches
- Meet Directors
- Volunteers
- Community Members
No Experience Required
Previous refereeing experience is not required. The online course builds the foundational knowledge needed before moving on to the practical component of the qualification pathway.
- Self-paced online learning
- Online theory assessment
- Platform experience pathway
- Open to all APL community members
Course and Assessment
The online course covers the theory component of the qualification. Once completed and passed, referees then progress to the practical component - gaining on-platform experience at APL competitions before receiving their full referee qualification.
Complete the Online Course
Work through all course modules covering technical rules, competition procedures and refereeing responsibilities at your own pace.
Pass the Theory Assessment
Demonstrate your knowledge by completing and passing the required theory assessment included in the course.
Practical Platform Experience
Gain hands-on experience officiating at APL competitions as part of your full referee qualification pathway.