Group Nine referees have been asked to consider officiating for free in 2020.
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With the financial impact on clubs caused by the coronavirus crisis, Country Rugby League Referees Association (CRLRA) urged discussions at a local level with an eye to starting competitions on July 18.
"The game will survive if we all pull together to get a common goal," CRLRA sectretary Geoff Whiddon said.
One suggestion was to have referee's costs covered to ensure they weren't out of pocket to provide their important service.
Group Nine Referees Association director Tony Fletcher said it was something the association had not gathered to discuss yet but would as restrictions continued to ease.
Senior referee Mick Kirkman stopped short of officiating for free but believes pay cuts will be taken.
"We haven't had a discussion as yet with Tony Fletcher but some of the seniors referees, like myself and Scotty Muir, have talked about payments," Kirkman said.
"We know an email came from the Country Rugby League Referees Association saying we should be thinking about minimising our pay as clubs aren't going to make much money and there will be less revenue.
"We've spoken about proposing we at least go back down to what we were paid four or five years ago to take a pay cut - I'm not sure what it would be but we would be prepared to do it to help out some of these clubs.
"We don't do it for the money but want to make sure there is going to be a game.
"The biggest thing about this is making sure we keep the game."
Costs of referees for clubs has been a talking point as they attempt to get a season under way this season.
Some have even highlighted their weekly takings struggled to cover the costs of referee payments, including their travel, last season.
Regardless of any decision with the senior league, Kirkman wants to see junior league referee payments remain.
"I would like to see our junior referees what they normally get paid in those competitions as they are kids, they don't get paid a lot of money and we we would want those kids a chance to be paid for their due," he said.
"It is a tough gig for the little ones."
