AFL Salary Cap 2025: Where Player Pay Sits Against the National Average
The AFL salary cap for 2025 is not a single published figure in the available data, but the league's total player payments and average earnings provide a clear picture. According to the AFL's annual player payment report, total gross player payments in 2025 reached $327.65 million across 663 listed players, yielding an average of $505,961 per player. This is far above the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).
How the National Average Is Set
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year. The May 2026 release shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 annually (multiplied by 52). This is the line used on this site. For context, the full-time median is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work).
AFL Player Earnings vs. the National Average
Every AFL player earning above $108,352 is above the national full-time average. The 2025 data shows that 58 players were paid $1 million or more, and the average payment of $505,961 is nearly five times the national average. Even the lowest bracket—107 players earning under $200,000—still exceeds the all-employees median and the minimum wage. The salary cap per club is not explicitly stated, but with 18 clubs and total payments of $327.65 million, the implied average club spend is about $18.2 million. The new collective bargaining agreement has driven rapid growth: the average player payment rose 10.2% from $459,173 in 2024 to $505,961 in 2025.
What Would Move Pay Above or Below the Average?
A player's pay relative to the national average depends on their contract value. Rookies and first-year players may earn below the national average, but most listed players quickly surpass it. The salary cap ensures clubs cannot concentrate all spending on a few stars; the distribution shows 163 players earning $400,001–$600,000, 94 earning $600,001–$800,000, and 54 earning $800,001–$1,000,000. The top earners—two players above $1.6 million—are far above the average. For a typical full-time worker, any salary above $108,352 is above the line; for an AFL player, the question is how far above.
State and Sector Comparisons
The national average masks variation by state and sector. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest full-time average at about $119,090, while Tasmania's is about $96,008. AFL players are employed across all states, but their earnings are set by a national agreement. The public sector average ($2,263.10 per week, or $117,681 annually) is higher than the private sector ($2,034.10 per week, or $105,773). AFL players are effectively in a private-sector industry, but their average far exceeds both.
Using the Line Tool
You can place a salary on the line to see how any figure compares to the national full-time average. For example, an AFL player earning $200,000 is about 85% above the line. The tool also shows weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week. For state-specific comparisons, see States and territories.
Key Takeaways
- The AFL salary cap for 2025 is not directly published, but total player payments and average earnings are available.
- The average AFL player earned $505,961 in 2025, well above the national full-time average of $108,352.
- Most AFL players earn above the national average; only the lowest-paid rookies may fall below.
- The salary cap drives distribution across the list, with 58 players earning $1 million or more.
For more on how earnings are measured, see How the figures are set and About this site.