The duo were on part-time contracts leading into the current season but after referees' boss Bernard Sutton upgraded their contracts, they could officiate a game in the middle one day.

Badger, who worked at the NRL full-time as a referee's education officer, will shift her focus to achieving higher honours with her new full-time offer.

"I was a bit shocked when I was told but I am over the moon," she told NRL.com.

Queensland based Sleeman took a step closer to becoming the first women to officiate an NRL game when she took control of a trial match between Brisbane Broncos and Wynnum Manly Seagulls earlier this year.

"I come to Sydney most weeks anyway so it will be a bit of a change but I'm looking forward to it," Sleeman said.

"I have a good understanding of the level of the game but to be in this environment moving forward training full-time is certainly going to help us refereeing both on and off the field."