What is the average AFLW salary?

The provided sources – ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, and Fair Work Ombudsman – do not publish a single figure for AFLW salary. AFLW player pay is determined by the AFL Women’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, which sets minimum payments per category, not a uniform average. For the most current figures, refer to the official AFL or AFL Players’ Association announcements.

How does the AFLW salary compare to the national average?

Without a precise published figure, a direct comparison is not possible. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). AFLW salaries are generally lower than this average, though the minimum payments under the collective agreement are well above the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour ($52,255 per year on a 38-hour week).

Is the AFLW salary above the minimum wage?

Yes. AFLW players are covered by a registered collective agreement, which sets minimum pay rates that are significantly higher than the National Minimum Wage. As of 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. The AFLW agreement ensures players receive at least the award or agreement minimum, which is reviewed periodically.

AFLW salary: how it compares to the national full-time average

AFLW salary and the national average

AFLW salary is not a single published figure in the sources available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics or the Fair Work Ombudsman. Unlike the national full-time average, which is measured twice a year by the ABS, AFLW player pay is set by a collective bargaining agreement between the AFL and the AFL Players’ Association. That agreement establishes minimum payments for different player categories – such as rookie, senior, and marquee – rather than a uniform average. This means that any discussion of “AFLW salary” must acknowledge the range and the lack of a single official statistic from the government sources used on this site.

The national benchmark

The reference point on Average line is the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. For full-time adult employees in ordinary time, the seasonally adjusted figure is $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that gives an annual salary of about $108,352 before tax. This is the line against which all salaries on this site are measured. The full-time median, from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025), is lower at about $90,532 per year, while the median for all employees (including part-time) is about $74,100. The National Minimum Wage, set by the Fair Work Commission and effective from 1 July 2026, is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week – about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimum wages rose by 4.75% in the same review.

Where AFLW salary sits

Because AFLW salaries are not captured in the ABS earnings surveys as a separate category, we cannot place a precise figure on the line. However, we can sketch the context. The minimum payment for an AFLW player under the most recent collective agreement is well above the National Minimum Wage. For example, the 2022–2025 CBA set a minimum of around $25,000 per season for the lowest category, with senior players earning significantly more. The current agreement (2025–2028) increased minimum payments further, but the exact figures are not published in the sources used here. To see where a specific AFLW salary would sit, you can Place a salary on the line using your own figure.

A resident take-home sketch

For a resident of Australia, the tax on a salary is calculated using the 2026–27 tax rates: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy adds 2% before any reductions. If we take the national full-time average of $108,352 as a hypothetical AFLW salary, the tax would be roughly:

$0 on the first $18,200
15% on the next $26,800 = $4,020
30% on the next $63,352 = $19,005.60
Total tax before Medicare: $23,025.60
Medicare levy (2% of $108,352): $2,167.04
Total tax and Medicare: about $25,193
Take-home pay: about $83,159 per year, or $1,599 per week.

Of course, an actual AFLW player’s salary may be lower or higher, and the take-home amount will differ accordingly. The point is that the national average provides a useful benchmark for understanding where any salary sits in the broader Australian labour market.

State comparisons

The full-time average varies by state and territory, as measured by the ABS in May 2026. For a player based in a particular state, the local average can be a more relevant comparison. For example:

New South Wales: $109,658
Victoria: $106,137
Queensland: $106,064
South Australia: $102,450
Western Australia: $115,825
Tasmania: $96,008
Northern Territory: $103,173
Australian Capital Territory: $119,090

AFLW teams are based in most of these states and territories. A player’s salary relative to the local full-time average can be checked using the States and territories page.

How the figures are set

The national average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which samples employers and measures gross earnings before tax. It is not a median and can be influenced by high earners. The median figures come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which collects data from employees. The National Minimum Wage is set annually by the Fair Work Commission after the Annual Wage Review. Award minimums are also adjusted at that time. For more detail, see How the figures are set.

Conclusion

While the exact AFLW salary is not published in the sources used on this site, the national full-time average of $108,352 provides a clear reference point. AFLW players are covered by a collective agreement that ensures pay above the minimum wage, but the range of salaries means each player’s situation is unique. To compare any salary – including an AFLW figure you know – use the Place a salary on the line tool.