How much can a Hostplus Cup player be paid?

Under the QRL salary cap and contracting model (Appendix 4 of the 2026 manual), the maximum wage for a Hostplus Cup player is $35,000, which is also the individual salary cap.

• Each club has a total cap of $460,000: $420,000 for the Hostplus Cup and Mal Meninga Cup squads (32 players each) and $40,000 for the Talent Development Squad (up to 8 players).
• The cap is estimated at the start of the season from the highest paid 17 players plus all guaranteed payments outside the top 17, such as player and training fees, travel, meal and accommodation allowances, relocation allowance above $5,000 and any additional bonuses or benefits. The year-end actuals determine the final figure.
• Clubs are not expected to meet a minimum cap value.
• Talent Development Squad players must be turning 18 to 21 in the competition year.

Breaching the $420,000 team cap brings fines of $1 for $1 over the cap and, above $430,000, loss of competition points for the club.