Can I play in an older age group than my own?

Only with approval. Under the AFL National Community Football Policy Handbook (February 2026), a controlling body (the league or state body running the competition) may let a player into a higher age group only where it finds exceptional and compelling circumstances. It must consider your physical capacity, experience, skill level and social maturity.

The 2019 AFL National Female Community Football Guidelines add:

• Where there is no age-appropriate competition and a girl asks to play above the recommended two-year age gap, parental consent must be given on a Parent Consent Form. Their example is a girl eligible for Under 10 asking to play Under 12.
• They recommend that girls aged 13 and 14 play in a structured youth girls' competition where possible, unless the girl is skilled, confident and physically capable and has the consent of her coach and parents.
• They recommend leagues use single-age groups for junior and youth girls where possible, or two-year groups (or as many groups as possible) where the pathway is not fully developed.