Former Test pace bowler Paul Reiffel has been promoted by Cricket Australia to the national umpires' panel for the 2005-06 season.

The 39-year-old is joined by former Tasmania captain Rodney Tucker.

Cricket Australia said Reiffel and Tucker had served a three-season apprenticeship on its project panel before making the grade and both are eligible to officiate in international tour matches and Sheffield Shield and domestic one-day games.

Western Australia's Jeff Brookes and Victoria's John Ward were also elevated to the national panel.

A right arm medium pace bowler, Reiffel played 35 Tests for Australia from 1992 to 1998, claiming 104 wickets at 26.96 and scoring 955 runs at 26.53, with a highest score of 79 not out.

He also played 92 One-Day Internationals, after making his debut in both forms of the game against India in 1992, and was a member of Australia's World Cup-winning team in 1999.

Talking about his elevation, Reiffel said umpiring domestic first-class matches was his aim since changing careers, but he would not discount adjudicating international fixtures if the opportunity arose.

"When I first started, my main ambition was to become a regular first-class umpire and to me that was a realistic goal," he said.

"I'm still trying to get there so that's still my aim, but once I get there I'm sure I'll want to try and do better."