ACT and Southern NSW 2025 Player Payment Report findings released

AFL NSW/ACT has notified clubs across AFL Canberra, AFL Riverina and the Hume Football League of the findings of the 2025 Player Payment Report as part of the Player Payment Rules Integrity Program.

The Player Payment Rules Integrity Program forms an integral part of AFL NSW/ACT’s Community Club Sustainability Program (CCSP), which ensures its competitions remain competitive while safeguarding the long-term sustainability of its participating clubs.

Established in 2023, the Player Payment Rules Integrity Program produces a report following the conclusion of the community football season that outlines the outcomes of the Player Payment audit process.  

The 2025 Player Payment Report found:

40 out of 42 clubs across all three competitions were compliant with their league-prescribed Player Payment Cap.One club was deemed non-compliant with their league-prescribed Player Payment Cap and has been referred for an Integrity Audit.One club remains under investigation.

The 2025 Player Payment Report also indicated an increase in clubs utilising payment exemptions – including Marquee Player(s), Coaching Other Teams, and Retention Payments – and noted that the quality of club reporting and lodgements of all required documentation had improved significantly.

Head of AFL NSW/ACT Andrew Varasdi said: “The Player Payment Rules Integrity Program is a critical system to ensuring the strength, sustainability and equalisation of our clubs and leagues.

“We acknowledge the clubs’ commitment to complying with the Player Payment Rules requires additional effort from volunteers, and we sincerely thank the clubs for their ongoing support and cooperation in maintaining the integrity of our competitions.”

In 2026, the end-of-season Player Payment audit process and the associated document lodgement timelines will remain the same, however in-season audits will be introduced.

In-season audits will occur following the lodgement of club Player Payment Budgets and Player Declarations. These audits will follow the same structure and process as end-of-season audits and will apply to two to three clubs in each competition.

The Player Payment Rules Integrity Program will elevate its focus on several key compliance areas in 2026, including but not limited to –

Disclosure of InformationLodgements of DocumentsTravelling Players  Coaches’ PaymentsNon-Playing CoachesAssistant Coaches and Line Coaches  

To review the complete 2025 Player Payment Report for AFL Canberra, AFL Riverina and the Hume Football League, visit here.