AFL salary: how the average player pay compares to national earnings
AFL salary index shows average player earnings of $459,173 in 4, well above the national line of 100. State and industry differences are far below AFL levels.
The average AFL player salary in 2024 was $459,173, giving a salary index of about 424 – more than four times the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $108,352.
What is an AFL salary?
An AFL salary is the pay a player receives for playing in the Australian Football League, the top professional men's competition. AFL salaries are set through a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the AFL and the AFL Players' Association, not through a modern award. The CBA covers minimum payments, total player payments per club, and conditions such as match payments, and benefits. In 2024, total player payments per club reached $15.8 million, with an average payment per listed player of nearly $460,000. Players who played at least one game averaged $493,592.
AFL salary on the Salary Index
The Salary Index compares yearly gross earnings to the national line of 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The average AFL salary of $459,173 in 2024 gives an index of about 424. That means the average AFL player earns more than four times the typical full-time worker. Even a first-year player on the minimum CBA payment (around $100,000) would have an index of about 92, slightly below the national line. The top 10 players earning at least $1.2 million have an index above 1,100.
How AFL salaries compare to other industries
AFL salaries are far above most industries. For example, the industries index for retail trade is 75.9, accommodation and food services is 72.5, and health care and social assistance is 97.8. Even the highest industry, mining at 154.7, is less than half the AFL average index. This reflects the elite, high-revenue nature of professional sport. The CBA projects the average AFL men's salary will reach $519,000 by 2027, pushing the index to about 479.
State differences in AFL salaries
Unlike most jobs, AFL salaries do not vary significantly by state. The league has a national salary cap, and players are paid based on their contract, not where the club is based. However, clubs in different states may have different cost-of-living pressures. For context, the states index ranges from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT, but an AFL player's index is far above all state averages. The industry comparison is more relevant: the AFL average index of 424 dwarfs even the highest industry index (Mining at 154.7).
AFL salary structure and the CBA
The 2023–2027 CBA sets the total player payments per club and requires clubs to spend at least 95% of the combined limit. The CBA also includes AFLW players, with average wages rising to $82,000 by 2027. The CBA covers injury and hardship funds, marketing contracts, and relocation benefits. It also introduced longer contracts for first-round draftees (three years instead of two).
How the Salary Index works
The Salary Index calculates a figure by dividing yearly gross earnings by the national line of $108,352 and multiplying by 100. For example, an AFL player earning $459,173 has an index of 424. This allows comparison across jobs, industries, and states. The index is based on gross ordinary-time earnings, not take-home pay. For a resident earning $459,173 in 2026–27, the estimated take-home pay after tax (including Medicare levy) would be about $278,000, but this ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and other adjustments.
Key takeaways
- The average AFL salary in 2024 was $459,173, index 424.
- AFL salaries are governed by a CBA, not a modern award.
- State differences are minimal; the league has a national pay structure.
- AFL salaries far exceed all industry averages, including mining.
- The CBA projects further growth to an average of $519,000 by 2027.
For more context on how your pay compares, see the pay guides and topics pages. The Salary Index provides a simple way to understand where any salary sits against the national line.
Questions people ask
How does the average AFL salary compare to the national minimum wage?
The average AFL salary in 2024 was $459,173, which is about 8.8 times the national minimum wage annualised ($52,255). On the Salary Index, the AFL average scores approximately 424, while the national minimum wage sits at 48.2. Even a first-year AFL player earning around $100,000 would have an index of about 92, still above the national minimum but below the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of 100.
Are AFL players covered by a modern award?
No. AFL players are covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the AFL and the AFL Players' Association. The CBA sets minimum payments, salary caps, and conditions. This is different from most Australian workers who are covered by modern awards or enterprise agreements. The CBA also includes AFLW players, with average wages rising to $82,000 by 2027.
Do AFL salaries vary by state?
AFL salaries do not vary by state in the same way as other industries. The league sets a uniform salary cap per club, and players are paid based on their contract, not location. However, clubs in different states may have different cost-of-living pressures. For context, the state salary index ranges from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT, but an AFL player's index is far above all state averages. The industry comparison is more relevant: the AFL average index of 424 dwarfs even the highest industry index (Mining at 154.7).