AFL salary and the national average
When you search for an AFL salary, you are likely looking for a figure that represents what an Australian Football League player earns. Unlike the national full-time average published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the AFL does not release a single official average salary figure. This means that a direct comparison to the national benchmark used on this site is not straightforward.
What the official data shows
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. This is the figure that Place a salary on the line uses as the reference point. The full-time median is lower at $90,532, and the all-employees median is $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). Men’s full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412, while women’s is about $100,594.
State averages also vary: New South Wales full-time average is about $109,658; Victoria $106,137; Queensland $106,064; South Australia $102,450; Western Australia $115,825; Tasmania $96,008; Northern Territory $103,173; and the Australian Capital Territory $119,090.
Where AFL salaries sit
AFL player salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreements and individual contracts. The AFL Players’ Association publishes aggregate figures, but these are not part of the official statistical sources used on this site. Media reports often cite an average AFL salary in the range of $300,000 to $400,000 per year, but this is not an official statistic. Even the lowest rookie salary is well above the national minimum wage of $52,255 per year (Fair Work, from 1 July 2026).
What would move this pay above or below the average
If you are comparing an AFL salary to the national full-time average, the key factors are:
- Experience and draft position: Senior players and early draft picks earn significantly more than rookies or late picks.
- Contract type: Base salary, match payments, and bonuses can push total earnings well above the average.
- Club and market: Larger clubs may offer higher salaries, but the salary cap limits overall spending.
For most AFL players, their salary is above the national full-time average. However, without an official average from the AFL, you cannot make a precise comparison using the data on this site. How the figures are set explains that the site relies on ABS, Fair Work, and ATO data, not industry-specific averages.
Tax considerations
If you earn an AFL salary, the 2026–27 resident tax rates apply: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy of 2% also applies before any reductions. A player earning $300,000 would be in the top bracket, so take-home pay is significantly lower than the gross figure.
Summary
This site uses official Australian salary data from the ABS, Fair Work, and the ATO. The AFL does not publish an official average salary comparable to these sources. If you have a specific AFL contract figure, you can Place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average, medians, and minimum wage.