Levies

In addition to an annual membership fee, Active Members are required to contribute levies to enable the Branch to carry out its activities. These activities relate, in the main, directly to providing technical education, training, development, and assessment of members.

In loose terms, and on the current fee structure, levies collected for a whole season would still not break-even if every member were to receive our nominal target of minimum three assessments per active Referee.

Active members are required to pay a 10% levy on all gross match fees for regular season competition matches (First Grade, Reserve Grade, Under 20s and Under 18s) and cup matches (i.e. FFA Cup).

Levies are not payable on trial matches (including pre-season Cup matches) where less than full fees are paid, friendlies, Final Series, and other honour matches. Hyundai A-League and National Youth League are currently recognised as honour matches. 

Levies – Due Date

Levies are due on the first Friday of every month, for the month in arrears.

Levies – REsponsibility

It is the responsibility of each Member to keep an accurate record of all matches officiated on.

It is not the responsibility of the Management Committee to invoice members or to send an account by way of a list of matches.

Levies Statement

All active members must submit a monthly levies form regardless of whether you have officiated on cash games or not.

You will appreciate that appointments can change even as late as on match day, and we are not provided with a copy of the completed team sheets by Football NSW. It is your statement of account which will be used to verify any other data we may have been able to collect, such as the notification from referees on match day. Your statement is, therefore, a very important record.

A template can be found in the Attachments to this handbook, or on this website under Resources >> Members Handbook >> Forms.

Levies Statement – what does it achieve?

A levies statement should be submitted by ALL active referees and assessors.

For Referees and Assistant Referees this helps us keep track of the matches you have done, allows us to accurately bill Football NSW for Grade 20 matches and for travel allowance.

For Assessors it means we have the data to pay you accurately at the end of the season, and we can compile this data progressively. It is also a cross-check of the records held by the Convenor of Assessors.

For Referees and Assistant Referees it also helps us to collate details which may be able to be used in the case of claiming unpaid match fees.

For all members this also has the potential to enable us to assist you print data for your log books which you are all required to maintain under the Australian Officiating Development Schedules.

Collecting information each months allows us to compile data progressively through the year, rather than in a time consuming block at the end of the year.

Levies statements are much more important and much more useful than simply a method for billing!

Levies – Method of Payment

Levies on matches paid by Football NSW payroll are deducted automatically – members do not have to make separate payment. Refer section on Match Fees for list of matches covered in this manner.

Levies on matches paid by Football NSW through NSW SLFR will be deducted automatically – members do not have to make separate payment. Refer section on Match Fees for list of matches covered in this manner.

For the 2016 season the above methods cover all Premier League matches, and the second half of FFA Cup matches.

Payment of levies for all other matches are covered by the procedures described below.

Levies on matches where the fee is paid in cash on the day must be paid by the first Friday of the month following the match day and must be accompanied by the appropriate levy form.

Levies may be paid by the following means:

1. Direct deposit to the Branch's bank account
2. Cheque (made out to NSW State League Football Referees Inc)
3. Money order (please remember to fill out the back with Name, Month, and “Levies”)
4. Cash paid to the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer.

Cheques and money orders sent through the post and postmarked later than the first Friday of the month will be deemed to be late.

Members are advised against reliance on paying cash (or cheque / money order) at the General Meeting since inability to attend the meeting at the last minute and failure to pay will mean your levies are deemed overdue.

Members are reminded that it is illegal to send cash through the mail.

Levies – Separation of Accounts

Levies balances will be maintained separately from other finances, for the sake of clarity, and for the sake of avoiding an unnecessarily complicated reconciliation.

That means that your levies cannot and will not be deducted from any match fees, travel allowance, or otherwise, that Football NSW may owe you (e.g. Premier League Grade 20 match fees).

The reason for this, other than being complicated, is that there are a different set of creditors involved: match fees are owed to you by Football NSW – we have simply been forced to be the vehicle for this transfer.

In the same way that you are waiting to receive this money from Football NSW, we are also waiting to receive your levies on those matches from Football NSW.

On the other hand your levies are directly between you and the Branch, and will be administered as such.

Levies – Late Payment

Members who are unfinancial are automatically suspended from the benefits of membership (which includes appointment to matches).

The Assistant Treasurer will provide list of outstanding levies at close of each General Meeting.

A reminder will be sent to these members, who at that point will be considered un-financial.

The Management Committee has resolved members whose levies remain unpaid after the second Friday of the month (i.e. one week late) be levied a fine of $20.

The Management Committee has resolved members whose levies remain unpaid after the third Friday of the month (i.e. two weeks late) be levied a fine of $50.

Members who are late with levies three times in a season will be invited to explain their actions before the Management Committee.

Levies – Difficulties

If you are experiencing difficulties in paying your levies, or indeed with any monies owing the Branch, please contact the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, or any member of the Management Committee directly and confidentially.

We can, and do, always make arrangements in such circumstances – but we can’t make arrangements if you don’t contact us to ask us!

Making contact and arrangements in this way will save you from being recorded as late in paying.