What do I need to know as a parent of an AFL Auskick player (ages 5-8, Pre-Primary to Year 2 in WA)? Who can register, sessions, costs, what to wear, your role, refunds, behaviour and insurance.
Nationally: children can start Auskick in the calendar year they turn 5 and take part until they are 12, although some states and territories have different pathways. The AFL may ask for proof of age, and asks families of children over 8 to contact AFL Customer Service before registering.
In Western Australia: Auskick is for Pre-Primary to Year 2, so a child must turn 5 by 30 June of the season year. For 2026 the WA Football handbook sets these birth date ranges:
| School year | Born |
|---|---|
| Pre-Primary | 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 |
| Year 1 | 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 |
| Year 2 | 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 |
Auskick and Superkick aged children cannot play in WA junior competitions. Junior football starts in Year 3.
Most centres run sessions of 50 to 90 minutes, depending on the centre; the AFL's program page describes one-hour weekly sessions. Session length and season length are set out when you register.
Minimum number of sessions under the Terms of Participation:
| Program | Auskick |
|---|---|
| Community | 8 |
| School, Introductory or Modified | 4 |
| Holiday | 1 |
Coordinators may add more sessions at their discretion.
Children are grouped by age and take part in game-based activities where, in the AFL's words, learning is disguised as playing. The stated aims are building confidence, learning new skills and making friends. No previous Australian football experience is needed.
Each age group has a main coach and helper coaches. The AFL describes Auskick as no-contact play with softer, smaller footballs. Sessions are held weekly at a local footy ground or, for school programs, on site after school, and each child keeps the same location for the whole program.
You must stay. The Terms of Participation say a parent or guardian must be present for the whole of any session. If you cannot attend, another trusted adult who is not program staff must supervise your child. Community and club centres also require an adult to be present for the whole session.
Helping is encouraged but optional: each age group has a main coach and helper coaches (largely volunteers), and parents are encouraged to help with no experience necessary. Ask your local Auskick Coordinator how to get involved.
Registration for the 2026 season opened on 1 November 2025; start dates vary by program type and state or territory.
Pack: each child receives a pack based on their program, and the pack type cannot be changed. Community and club packs are posted to the address on the registration form, and are only sent once online registration and full payment are complete. Items cannot be bought separately (extra items may be sold at registration), and lost, stolen or damaged packs are not replaced.
What to wear: there is no set uniform and no expensive kit is required. The AFL recommends sports clothing and either runners or footy boots.
Auskick will not run if staff or volunteers judge conditions unsafe (for example wet weather). Where practical they will tell families beforehand.
The AFL may also change any program or part of a program, including dates, session times, durations and locations, and is not liable for losses from a cancelled, postponed or changed program.
Under the Auskick Terms of Participation, refunds are given only if:
There is no refund for registering in the wrong age group or for a change of mind. The fee covers the minimum session commitment, with no compensation for extra sessions that are not delivered. Lost, stolen or damaged benefit packs are not replaced.
An application cannot be changed once submitted, apart from email address or phone number. To cancel, notify the AFL in writing; cancelled registrations are ineligible for the NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year award. Government sport vouchers cannot be applied after the registration is submitted.
Girls: optional all-girls groups are available across Australia. Use the Auskick centre finder and filter for "Female Only".
Disability and inclusion: all Auskick centres welcome children of all abilities, and some centres are specifically disability inclusive (also filterable in the centre finder). The AFL provides AllPlay Footy resources for families, coaches and coordinators, plus Auskick resources for Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Low Vision participants.
The AFL describes Auskick as no-contact play with softer, smaller footballs, and a culturally safe and inclusive environment for everyone.
Registering means agreeing to the Player Code and the Parents, Guardians and Spectators Code.
Children must play in the spirit of Australian football, never argue with coordinators, coaches or volunteer parents, never bully or unfairly advantage others, and show respect to everyone regardless of background.
Parents and spectators must:
Serious or ongoing breaches can lead to being asked to leave or being banned from future events, and the AFL may end a child's participation on reasonable grounds, such as behaviour that interferes with others' safety or enjoyment. Suspected child abuse must be reported on the AFL's reporting platform or to an appropriate program person; if a child is in immediate danger, call Police on 000.
Registered participants and volunteers receive Sports Injury Insurance under the Auskick Terms of Participation.