Our HISTORY
The Professional Rugby League Match Officials Inc (PRLMO) is the culmination of discernment by NRL match officials over many seasons to have their own, dedicated representation, in the same manner as AFL umpires, Football referees, and other sporting bodies’ officials had done.
With the birth of the NRL competition in 1998, the level of commitment expected of full-time officials, and part-time (or casual) officials, increased significantly. It required foregoing other attractive career choices, along with huge personal sacrifice. Additionally, the management culture at the time was not respectful to referees.
It became very clear that professional match officials needed a means to think, speak and act collectively.
Match officials tried for many years to achieve the desired level of advocacy through other organisations within the Game, but for various reasons these efforts were utterly ineffective in representing the interests of professional match officials.
As a result of this experience, in 2014 several senior match officials resolved to form their own truly independent, truly representative body, and this led to the creation of the PRLMO – a body created by them to enhance and support their welfare. The PRLMO’s constitution ensures that it will always remain under the direct control of the active NRL match officials, and hence has a unique role as the genuine representative of NRL match officials as a stakeholder in the Game.
“It became very clear that professional match officials needed a means to think, speak and act collectively. ”
The PRLMO was subsequently able to negotiate a collective agreement in late 2015 on behalf of all match officials to cover the seasons 2016-2018. This was a significant achievement because at the time the PRLMO was still not incorporated, had no bank account, no money and no formal governance structure. A small group of volunteers put many hours into this initiative, knowing that it was a major milestone in the history of our Game.
The 2016-2018 agreement was still deficient and imbalanced in many ways. So in early 2018, the newly incorporated PRLMO commenced work to prepare for the negotiation of a 2019-2022 Enterprise Agreement. Many senior match officials were involved in the planning phase, and a large proportion of match officials were consulted throughout, to ensure priorities were clear and agreed. The overwhelming majority of NRL match officials chose to join the PRLMO and became financial members.
The negotiation broke new ground in the history of the Game, and was difficult at times, but respect was won for the PRLMO and the match officials they represent. The outcome is the current 2019-2022 agreement, which is registered with Fair Work Australia and thereby enforceable. It is yet another milestone in the history of the Game. All stakeholders can be justifiably proud of how it will improve the working conditions for all professional rugby league match officials.
What We've Achieved
Pays of match officials to increase over a four-year period, in-line with increases to other key stakeholders in the Game.
A clear and structured process for members transitioning out of the NRL Squad at the end of their careers.
A re-working of the NRL Injury Management Policy for Match Officials.
Documented monthly performance management appraisals.
A fairer process for dispute resolution.
More timely communication of appointments and other work related engagements.
