Australian soccer league system

Australian soccer league system
	A map showing the nine member federations of Football Australia, which each control their respective state-based competitions.
Country	Australia
Sport	Soccer
Promotion and relegation	No national system of promotion and relegation. Promotion and relegation does exist in every state and the Australian Capital Territory, but not in the Northern Territory.
National system
Federation	Football Australia
Confederation	AFC
Top division	A-League Men; A-League Women; ;
Second division	Australian Championship; ;
Cup competition	Australia Cup; ;
Regional systems
Federations	Capital Football; Football NSW; Northern NSW Football; Football NT; Football Queensland; Football SA; Football Tasmania; Football Victoria; Football West; ;
Top divisions	NPL ACT; NPL NSW; NPL Northern NSW; Football NT (two leagues); NPL Queensland; NPL SA; NPL Tasmania; NPL Victoria; NPL WA; ;
Second divisions	Capital League 1; NSW League One; Northern NSW State League 1; NT Northern Premier League; NT Southern Premier League; Queensland Premier League; SA State League 1; Tasmania Northern Championship; Tasmania Southern Championship; Victoria Premier League 1; WA State League 1; ;
	Soccer in Australia

The Australian soccer league system is the league structure for soccer clubs in Australia.^[1] The league system in Australia since 1977 has involved one top divisional league controlled by Football Australia and many leagues run within each state below.^[2]^[3]

The National Soccer League (NSL) stood from 1977 to 2004 as the top nationwide tier above the current state-based league systems.^[4]^[5] In 2005, the A-League (known as A-League Men since 2021) was established as its successor.^[6]^[7]

The introduction of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) in 2013 introduced a direct second tier of soccer in Australia, underpinning the A-League.^[8] The NPL incorporated the existing state leagues as divisions with a nationwide end of season finals series, rebranding five of the nine top state leagues.^[9] The remainder – with the exception of the Northern Territory – joined in 2014.^[9]

There is no promotion and relegation to and from the top-tier A-League, and promotion and relegation at other levels varies between different state systems.^[10]^[11]

Men's pyramid

The national second-tier Australian Championship is a tournament contested after the finish of the National Premier Leagues.

Level	Total clubs	League(s) / division(s)
1	12	A-League Men 12 clubs (2 from New Zealand) – no relegation
2	104	National Premier Leagues 94 clubs – 8 divisions	NorZone Premier League – 8 clubs — 0r Southern Zone Premier League – 4 clubs — 0r
2	104	National Premier Leagues Capital Football – 11 clubs — 0p, 0r National Premier Leagues Northern NSW – 12 clubs — 0p, 1.5r National Premier Leagues NSW – 16 clubs — 0p, 1.5r National Premier Leagues Queensland – 16 clubs — 0p, 2r National Premier Leagues South Australia – 12 clubs — 0p, 2r National Premier Leagues Tasmania – 8 clubs — 0p, 0r National Premier Leagues Victoria – 8 clubs — 0p, 3r National Premier Leagues Western Australia – 12 clubs — 0p, 1.5r
3	106	Capital State League Division 1 – 8 clubs — 0p, 0r Northern League One – 16 clubs — 1.5p, 1.5r Football NSW League One – 16 clubs — 1.5p, 1.5r Football Queensland Premier League 1 – 12 clubs — 2r, 2r State League 1 South Australia – 12 clubs – 2p, 2r Northern Championship – 8 clubs – 0p, 0r Southern Championship – 8 clubs – 0p, 0r Victorian Premier League 1 – 14 clubs – 3p, 3r Football West State League Division 1 – 12 clubs – 1.75p, 1.5r
4	99	Capital State League Division 2 – 8 clubs — 0p, 0r Regional Leagues – 7 districts — 0p Football NSW League Two – 16 clubs — 1.5p, 0r Football Queensland Premier League 2 – 12 clubs — 2r, 2r State League 2 South Australia North – 10 clubs – 1p, 0r State League 2 South Australia South – 10 clubs – 1p, 0r Northern Social League 1 – 6 clubs – 0p, 0r Southern Social League 1/2 – 11 clubs – 0p, 0r Victorian Premier League 2 – 14 clubs – 3p, 2.5r Football West State League Division 2 – 12 clubs – 1.5p, 1r
5	48	Capital State League Division 3 – 8 clubs — 0p, 0r Regional Leagues – 19 districts — 0p Regional Leagues – 9 districts — 2p Regional Leagues – 6 districts – 0p Northern Social League 2 – 6 clubs – 0p, 0r Southern Social League 3 – 10 clubs – 0p, 0r Victorian State League 1 North-West – 12 clubs – 1.5p, 2r Victorian State League 1 South-East – 12 clubs – 1.5p, 2r Regional Leagues – 12 districts – 1p
6	42	Capital State League Division 4 – 8 clubs — 0p, 0r Southern Social League 4 – 10 clubs – 0p, 0r Victorian State League 2 North-West – 12 clubs – 2p, 4r Victorian State League 2 South-East – 12 clubs – 2p, 4r
7	32	Capital State League Division 5 – 8 clubs — 0p, 0r Victorian State League 3 North-West – 12 clubs – 4p, 4r Victorian State League 3 South-East – 12 clubs – 4p, 4r
8	33	Capital State League Division 6 – 9 clubs — 0p, 0r Victorian State League 4 North-West – 12 clubs – 4p, 4r Victorian State League 4 South-East – 12 clubs – 4p, 4r
9	36	Capital State League Division 7 – 12 clubs — 0p, 0r Victorian State League 5 North-West – 12 clubs – 4p, 4r Victorian State League 5 South-East – 12 clubs – 4p, 4r
10	36	Capital State League Division 8 – 12 clubs — 0p, 0r Victorian State League 6 North-West – 12 clubs – 4p, 4r Victorian State League 6 South-East – 12 clubs – 4p, 4r
11	33	Capital State League Division 9 – 9 clubs — 0p, 0r Victorian State League 7 North-West – 12 clubs – 4p, 4r Victorian State League 7 South-East – 12 clubs – 4p, 4r
12	20	Capital State League Division 10 Blue – 10 clubs — 0p, 0r Capital State League Division 10 Gold – 10 clubs — 0p, 0r Victorian Metropolitan Leagues – 9 divisions – 0p Victorian Regional Leagues – 15 districts – 0p

Women's pyramid

The women's soccer league system in Australia is similar to that of the men's.^[12]^[13]

Level	Total clubs	League(s) / division(s)
1	11	A-League Women 11 clubs (1 from New Zealand) – no relegation
2	91	National Premier Leagues Women's 94 clubs – 8 divisions	NorZone Women's Premier League – 5 clubs — 0r
2	91	NPL Women's Capital Football – 8 clubs — 0p, 0r NPL Women's Northern NSW – 7 clubs — 0p, 1r NPL Women's NSW – 14 clubs — 0p, 1.5r NPL Women's Queensland – 16 clubs — 0p, 2r NPL Women's South Australia – 12 clubs — 0p, 2r NPL Women's Tasmania – 8 clubs — 0p, 0r NPL Women's Victoria – 14 clubs — 0p, 2r NPL Women's Western Australia – 12 clubs — 0p, 1.5r	NorZone Women's Premier League – 5 clubs — 0r
3	52	Capital League Women's Division 1 – 6 clubs — 0p, 0r NSW League One Women's – 14 clubs — 1.5p, 0r Football Queensland Premier League 1 – 12 clubs — 2r, 2.5r Women's State League South Australia – 12 clubs — 2p, 0r Victorian Premier League Women – 8 clubs — 2p, 4r
4	41	Capital League Women's Division 2 – 9 clubs — 0p, 0r Football Queensland Premier League 2 – 12 clubs — 2.5r, 2r Victorian State League Women 1 North-West – 10 clubs — 2p, 2r Victorian State League Women 1 South-West – 10 clubs — 2p, 2r
5	14	Capital League Women's Division 3 – 14 clubs — 0p, 0r
6	10	Capital League Women's Division 4 – 10 clubs — 0p, 0r
7	12	Capital League Women's Division 5 – 12 clubs — 0p, 0r
8	11	Capital League Women's Division 6 – 11 clubs — 0p, 0r

Notes

References

^ Lynch, Joey (29 November 2023). "Australia's football pyramid is one step closer to reality. Now what?". ESPN Australia. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
^ Robinson, Andrew. "Complete final season tables". elitetograssroots.net. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
^ Howe, Andrew (2017). "Australia's national league: 40 years strong". A-Leagues. Archived from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
^ "Dockerty Cup History Series: The NSL and Cup's demise". Football Victoria. 31 July 2024. Archived from the original on 18 December 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
^ "New soccer league slated for 2004". Sydney Morning Herald. 9 December 2003. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
^ "All square in A-League preseason matches". ABC News. 23 July 2005. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
^ Cockerill, Michael (26 August 2005). "A league of their own". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
^ Gorman, Joe (9 December 2013). "Why the NPL matters for Australian football". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
^ ^a ^b "National Premier Leagues". Football Australia. Archived from the original on 31 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
^ Monteverde, Marco (6 November 2023). "Football Australia confirms second division details...with a catch". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
^ "2024 NPL/League 1 Men's Promotion and Relegation Playoff details Announced". Football NSW. 26 August 2024. Archived from the original on 11 September 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
^ "The Women's Season is about to start! Here's everything you need to know". Football SA. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 4 November 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
^ "Women's & Men's Promotion, Relegation & Play-Offs for the 2024 Season". Football Victoria. 14 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 October 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

External links

[1] Lynch, Joey (29 November 2023). "Australia's football pyramid is one step closer to reality. Now what?". ESPN Australia. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.

[2] Robinson, Andrew. "Complete final season tables". elitetograssroots.net. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.

[3] Howe, Andrew (2017). "Australia's national league: 40 years strong". A-Leagues. Archived from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2025.

[4] "Dockerty Cup History Series: The NSL and Cup's demise". Football Victoria. 31 July 2024. Archived from the original on 18 December 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

[5] "New soccer league slated for 2004". Sydney Morning Herald. 9 December 2003. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

[6] "All square in A-League preseason matches". ABC News. 23 July 2005. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

[7] Cockerill, Michael (26 August 2005). "A league of their own". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.

[8] Gorman, Joe (9 December 2013). "Why the NPL matters for Australian football". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.

[NPL-9] "National Premier Leagues". Football Australia. Archived from the original on 31 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.

[10] Monteverde, Marco (6 November 2023). "Football Australia confirms second division details...with a catch". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

[11] "2024 NPL/League 1 Men's Promotion and Relegation Playoff details Announced". Football NSW. 26 August 2024. Archived from the original on 11 September 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

[12] "The Women's Season is about to start! Here's everything you need to know". Football SA. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 4 November 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

[13] "Women's & Men's Promotion, Relegation & Play-Offs for the 2024 Season". Football Victoria. 14 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 October 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

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Men's pyramid

Women's pyramid

See also

Notes

References

External links