For parents of players in NPL club age-eligible teams (Under 12 to Under 20/23, as set by each member federation), 2026 season. Covers youth teams, amateur and professional status, junior contracts, changing clubs, training compensation, homegrown players and overseas minors.
The teams below an NPL club's first team, including the reserve team, are called NPL Club Age-Eligible Teams, and each member federation determines them. Football Australia's roster principles describe them this way:
So the youngest age group depends on the member federation (state or territory body) that runs the competition. The NPL itself is described as the national men's second tier club competition, staged in each member federation.
Source: NPL Player Roster Principles 2026.
NPL first team match day squads (16 to 18 players) must include a minimum number of Under 23 and Under 20 players:
Age is measured at 31 December of the NPL season. In 2026, Under 20 means born in 2006 or later, and Under 23 means born in 2003 or later.
Only Australian Players count: Visa Players who are Under 20 or Under 23 do not count as youth players. If a youth player is unavailable through injury or suspension, the club must replace them with a like-for-like player from its age-eligible teams roster.
Source: NPL Player Roster Principles 2026.
A Homegrown Player is a player who, between the ages of 12 and 21, was registered with their NPL club for three entire seasons or 36 months in total. The periods are added together and do not need to be continuous, so time spent at another club in between does not cancel earlier time.
It matters because Football Australia requires every NPL club to have at least three Homegrown Players on its first team roster. The roster principles describe the category as an initiative to encourage more first team players to be developed within the club from an earlier age, promoting investment in club-based talent between Under 12 and Under 21.
Source: NPL Player Roster Principles 2026.
A professional is a player with a written contract with a club under which they are paid more than the expenses they effectively incur to play football for that club. Any player who is not a professional is an amateur.
A club may pay or reimburse an amateur's expenses (for example travel, kit, equipment or insurance premiums) without changing their status. If an amateur is paid or reimbursed more than $115 a week, the club must satisfy the competition administrator that the amount reflects the expenses actually incurred. If it cannot, the player is deemed a professional.
Clubs must record each player's status accurately on the National Online Registration System, and all amateurs must be registered through it. A professional cannot re-register as an amateur until at least 30 days after their last match as a professional.
Source: article 5, National Registration, Status and Transfer Regulations (22 September 2026).
The national regulations include these protections for a player under 18 (a Minor):
When registering a professional for the NPL only, the club must also sight evidence of the player's name and age (an original birth certificate, passport or driver's licence).
Source: articles 5.2, 6.4 and 11, National Registration, Status and Transfer Regulations (22 September 2026).
For an amateur, yes, by de-registering. An amateur cannot be transferred within Australia or loaned under a written agreement or for any consideration such as a transfer fee or loan fee. Instead, the player either completes and signs form NRSTR08 (Cancellation of Amateur Registration) and sends it to the club and the competition administrator, or applies to de-register through the National Online Registration System, which notifies the club and the competition administrator.
The de-registration takes effect immediately once the club confirms the notification, or seven days after the request unless a grievance has been started with the competition administrator. The registration with the new club is effective from the date the player is registered in the National Online Registration System and the new club accepts it.
The competition rules a club is bound by may provide for a proportionate refund of registration fees to the amateur in certain no-fault circumstances.
Source: article 12, National Registration, Status and Transfer Regulations (22 September 2026).
Sometimes, and the new club is the one responsible for paying it. Domestic training compensation is due when a player is registered as a professional for the first time (or a professional later transfers and signs a new professional contract), until the end of the season of their 23rd birthday. The new club pays Football Australia within 30 days of registration, and Football Australia distributes it to the clubs entitled to it.
Where it is pro-rated, it is shared among the clubs the player has been registered with since turning 12, according to the length of each registration, as shown on the Player Passport.
Examples for a first professional contract:
It is not payable for female players, or if the player's last club ended their contract without just cause.
Source: article 14, National Registration, Status and Transfer Regulations (22 September 2026).
A minor (under 18) cannot transfer from an overseas club to an Australian club except in line with the FIFA Statutes, which prohibit a minor from transferring unless the minor has moved to Australia with their parents for reasons not linked to football, or with the express written approval of the FIFA Players' Status Chamber (which only Football Australia can seek).
A minor who has not previously been registered with a club, and who is not an Australian national, must obtain approval from the FIFA Players' Status Chamber of the Football Tribunal before registration can proceed, unless they qualify for Football Australia's limited minor exemption.
Clubs, officials and football agents must not encourage or assist a minor to transfer internationally other than in accordance with these rules.
Source: articles 4 and 11, National Registration, Status and Transfer Regulations (22 September 2026).