What is domestic training compensation, and when is it paid?

Domestic training compensation rewards clubs that train young players. It is due when a player is registered as a professional for the first time, or when a professional transfers between clubs and signs a subsequent professional contract, up to the end of the season of their 23rd birthday. It is paid by the new club to Football Australia within 30 days of registration, not by the player.

It is not due if the former club ends the contract without just cause, if the player moves to a Category C club (any club that is not an A-League Men club or a licensed NPL club), if a professional re-registers as an amateur with a new club, or for female players.

Examples of amounts (NPL clubs other than A-League Men clubs are Category B):

• First professional contract at a Category B club, last club Category B: $6,000, shared across the player's junior clubs.
• First professional contract at a Category B club, last club Category C: nil.
• Later transfer from a Category B club to another Category B club: $6,000, not shared.

The NPL Player Roster Principles 2026 note that Football Australia was consulting on changing this from a one-time to an annual payment; the regulations dated 22 September 2026 still set out the amounts above.

Source: article 14, National Registration, Status and Transfer Regulations (22 September 2026).