The Australian Athletics Officials’ Education Scheme (AAOES) is a joint initiative of Athletics Australia and Little Athletics and provides a seamless and transparent education pathway for athletics Officials.
The scheme has the Australian Sport Commission endorsement and follows best industry practice, with online learning coupled with face-to-face delivery. The aim of the Scheme is to ensure an effective and efficient education framework is provided that will guarantee Australian Officials remain world leaders in event delivery at all levels of athletic competition.
The following information outlines the process for Officials to engage with Officials’ education in Australia.
The emphasis of the AAOES is on knowledge and competency. The Scheme is aimed at being widely accessible and encourages a greater number of people to be provided with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge to conduct athletics competitions at all levels.
The athletics specific levels of this scheme delivered within Australia are:
Club/Centre/School Official – AAOES Level 1
State Level Official – AAOES Level 2
National Level Official – AAOES Level 3
This Scheme is complemented by two grading’s delivered at Oceania and international level (IAAF), for Officials to advance their education past that of Australian gradings. These levels are generally completed by invitation.
The scheme consists of the following levels:
Introduction to Officiating (an Australian Sports Commission course)
Club/Centre/School Official
Basic Grading - aimed at officials wishing to officiate at a local/club/centre school level
State Official
Aimed at officials wishing to be appointed as a Chief or Referee at State level and a Chief at National level.
National Official
Aimed at Officials wishing to be appointed as a Chief or Referee or Competition Management at National level.
Level 4 & 5 are qualification delivered at the International Level. In most cases, achieving these levels will mean continued demonstration of high level of officiating within Australia, and being invited to attend.
Level 4 is the IAAF Technical Officials Education Certification Scheme (TOECS Level 2). This course is delivered by the Oceania Regional Development Centre. It involves theoretical learning as well as practical components. These courses are delivered once every two years.
Upon successful completion of this qualification, candidates are eligible to be appointed as an Area Technical Official (ATO).
Level 5 is the IAAF Technical Officials Education Certification Scheme (TOECS Level 3). This course is delivered by the IAAF. It involves theoretical learning as well as practical components. These courses are delivered once every four years, with all candidates by invitation (from the IAAF).
Upon successful completion of this qualification, candidates are eligible to be appointed as a International Technical Official (ITO).
Easily, click on the links in the e-learning box at the top of this page. Complete the Level 0 requirements and then move onto the Level 1. Once you have started completing the level 1 requirements, we encourage you to contact your local association and they direct you to the best method to start your officiating.
Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.
