Australian Sailing is pleased to announce that the new Judge Accreditation Policy is now active and its resources are available from the Australian Sailing website. The new policy aims to deliver better quality Judging (specifically chairing) at club and regatta level events whilst providing a new free of charge online entry level qualification - the Protest Committee Member qualification.

The new policy includes a number of positive updates by providing:

• New national qualification structure; National Judge (top level), Regional Judge (intermediate level) and Protest Committee Member (entry level).
• A focus on Regional and National applicants proving proficiency for accreditation and reaccreditation through better quality examinations and practical assessments.
• A move towards using online learning courses for theory training where possible. E.g., The Protest Committee Member course is a free online course to accredit, requiring three hours study time.

In January 2021, all accredited Club, State and National Judges qualifications have been automatically transitioned in the national database to align with the new policy qualifications structure. This has been actioned with no change made to an individual’s qualification attainment and expiry date.

The new policy sees Club and State Judges automatically transitioned to the new Protest Committee Member qualification. Club and State Judges who believe they are practiced and capable of Regional or National Judge accreditation are encouraged to apply and show proficiency in meeting the new Judge Policy accreditation criteria.

Currently accredited National Judges have already shown a high level of proficiency to accredit and have automatically transition to the new National Judge qualification. Only submitting an exam score and a performance assessment through an online reaccreditation form will be required prior to expiry.

To assist Judges with transitioning their qualifications, Australian Sailing is offering a 12-month transition window – 25^th January 2021 till 25^th Jan 2022. This window allows exam and performance assessment documents that have been obtained since July 1^st, 2017 onwards to be submitted for accreditation and reaccreditation as a Regional or National Judge. During the transition window previously accredited State Judges will not be required to pay the Regional Judge seminar fee.

Australian Sailing recommends that Judges and club management reading the new Australian Sailing website’s Officials pages. The updated Judge webpages provide detailed information regarding new Judge Accreditation Policy and the actions required to accredit or reaccredit as a Judge in 2021 onwards.

If you have any further questions regarding Officials accreditation please feel free to contact Australian Sailing via officials@sailing.org.au.