AFLW players to earn 94% pay rise in new season, next stop full-time professionalism

AFLW players have had their pay almost doubled under a new deal, an important step toward the goal of full-time professionalism by 2026

AFLW players have had their pay almost doubled under a new one-season deal struck with the AFL. The deal covers the seventh season of the AFLW competition, which has been brought forward to start in late August.

Top-tier players will be paid $71,935, while the minimum AFLW wage will increase from $20,239 to $39,184. The average increase across the four pay brackets is 94 per cent. The pay rise, while welcomed, still leaves AFLW players behind Super Netballers who this year were paid an average of $74,000 with the best-paid earning $91,500. Minimum salaries in Super Netball also grew this year by 17 per cent to $43,000.