What changes if the NPL club is an A-Leagues club?

Q: What changes if the NPL club is an A-Leagues club?

An A-Leagues club that plays in the NPL can only list Youth Australian Players who are no older than 23 in the year the NPL is staged on its NPL roster. Under the National Registration, Status and Transfer Regulations (22 September 2026), the NPL competition rules must let such a club include players who turn no older than 23 that year, and must not add further age restrictions that limit who is on the roster or who can play in NPL matches for that club. A Youth Australian Player is a citizen of Australia, a refugee, humanitarian or protection visa holder, a player who has applied for citizenship with legal confirmation it will be granted within six months of registering with the club, or a permanent resident (or child of one) who has satisfied Football Australia of their intention to represent the national teams if selected. Source: Schedule 1, National Registration, Status and Transfer Regulations.

Question

Accepted Answer

An A-Leagues club that plays in the NPL can only list Youth Australian Players who are no older than 23 in the year the NPL is staged on its NPL roster. Under the National Registration, Status and Transfer Regulations (22 September 2026), the NPL competition rules must let such a club include players who turn no older than 23 that year, and must not add further age restrictions that limit who is on the roster or who can play in NPL matches for that club.

A Youth Australian Player is a citizen of Australia, a refugee, humanitarian or protection visa holder, a player who has applied for citizenship with legal confirmation it will be granted within six months of registering with the club, or a permanent resident (or child of one) who has satisfied Football Australia of their intention to represent the national teams if selected.

Source: Schedule 1, National Registration, Status and Transfer Regulations.