Become a SAPA Accredited Poultry Judge!

Step 1- Register & choose a goal.

Become a registered exhibitor of the SAPA & choose the judging category that interests you! Prospective judges can aspire to one or more of five groups, being:

1) Hard Feather

2) Soft Feather including True Bantams

3) Waterfowl 

4) Eggs

5) Field and Forest 

Step 2- Lodgement of interest

Lodge your interest to become a trainee judge along with the group you have chosen, with the

SAPA Judges Board Secretary,

This can be by phone, letter or email

Step 3- Home Study

Acquire access to the Australian Poultry Standards book (Judges Board may be able to assist).

Another useful publication is ‘Judging Exhibition Poultry’ published by and available from SAPA. You will be required to purchase a copy of this booklet at a fee of $20.00. (Currently being updated).

It is the trainee’s responsibility to study, understand & learn the standards for their group’s relevant breeds! This knowledge shall be tested in a written exam at a workshop later in this training program.

Step 4- Stewarding

Get experience with stewarding opportunities. Being along side a qualified judge to see how they judge.

Step 5- Exam day

Compulsory attendance at ‘Annual SAPA Judges Exam Day’.

One day; to be held at SAPA Headquarters Acrylon Road, Salisbury South.

Day involves;

First time – Introduction & general judging procedures. Interpretation of standards, Breed specific lectures and demonstrations.

followed by Theory Paper.

Papers shall be marked on the day. 80% pass mark to be achieved to progress to Step 6.

Step 6- Trainee Mentoring

As a trainee, you will need to find an experienced SAPA Judge who is accredited in the relevant breed group, to be your mentor. The Judges Board can help you do this. When convenient, the trainee will accompany their mentor when he/she is judging, exhibiting, assessing his/her own birds or visiting other fanciers.

Step 7- Assessment & Accreditation

The trainee will indicate to the board when he/she is ready for practical assessment.

A judge (other than the mentor), chosen by the Board then fully assesses the trainee’s judging skills at a show of suitable size and character. This show must be considered to cover most of the breeds in the relevant group.

A report from that judge is then presented to the Board for possible full accreditation of the candidate/trainee.

SAPA Registered Exhibitor fee is payable each year to maintain your place on the SAPA panel of registered judges.

For lodgment of interest or any questions please contact the SAPA Judges Board Secretary;

Mary Scruby

34 Balmoral Avenue

North Brighton 5048

Ph: 0428 776 763

Email: mary.scruby@yahoo.com.au