AFL player salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

What is an AFL player salary?

An AFL player salary is the total payment a player receives from their club under the AFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It includes base pay, match payments, marketing allowances, and other agreed benefits. Unlike most Australian workers, AFL players are not covered by a modern award – their pay is negotiated collectively and individually within the framework of the CBA.

Where does the average AFL player salary sit on the salary index?

On the Salary Index, 100 represents the national line: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The average AFL player salary in 2024 was about $460,000 a year, which gives an index score of roughly 425. That means the average AFL player earns more than four times the typical full-time worker.

If we look at players who actually took the field in at least one game, the average rises to $493,592 – an index of about 455. Both figures place AFL players far above the national line and well above most industries. For comparison, the mining industry has an index of 154.7, and professional services sit at 114.7. Even the highest-paying state, the ACT (index 109.9), is a fraction of the AFL average.

How are AFL player salaries structured?

The AFL CBA for 2023–2027 sets a Total Player Payments (TPP) limit per club. In 2024, each club could spend up to $15.8 million on player salaries. That total is then divided among the list of 40–44 players, but the distribution is far from equal. A handful of stars earn over $1 million, while rookies and developing players earn much less.

According to the AFL's 2024 annual report, the earnings distribution looks like this:

• $100,001–$200,000: 117 players
• $200,001–$300,000: 104 players
• $300,001–$400,000: 103 players
• $400,001–$500,000: 94 players
• $500,001–$600,000: 75 players
• $600,001–$700,000: 53 players
• $700,001–$800,000: 58 players
• $800,001–$900,000: 20 players
• $900,001–$1,000,000: 19 players
• $1,000,001–$1,100,000: 9 players
• $1,100,001–$1,200,000: 6 players
• $1,200,001+: 10 players

So while the average is high, more than half of all listed players earn between $100,000 and $500,000. That's still well above the national average, but not the stratospheric figures often assumed.

How does the AFL compare to other industries?

Using the industries page, you can see how AFL player salaries stack up against typical industry benchmarks. The average AFL salary (index ~425) dwarfs even the highest-paying industry, mining (index 154.7). It's more than five times the retail trade average (index 75.9) and over four times the health care and social assistance average (index 97.8).

Even the lowest-paid AFL players – those in the $100,000–$200,000 bracket – have an index between 92 and 185, which is around or above the national line. Only a tiny fraction of AFL players would fall below the national average, and those are typically first-year rookies on base contracts.

What about tax and superannuation?

AFL player salaries are gross payments before tax. Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare), a player earning $460,000 would pay about $162,000 in tax, plus the 2% Medicare levy. Their take-home pay would be roughly $289,000 a year. For a top earner on $1.2 million, tax would be around $472,000, leaving about $704,000 after tax and Medicare.

Superannuation is also part of the picture. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, but the maximum contribution base is $270,830. For high earners, the compulsory super contribution is capped at $32,500 (12% of $270,830). Any additional super above that is usually paid as part of the player's salary package.

How does the salary index work for AFL players?

The how the index works page explains that the index is calculated as:

Index = (Yearly gross earnings ÷ National line) × 100

For an AFL player earning $460,000:

Index = ($460,000 ÷ $108,352) × 100 ≈ 425

This means the average AFL player earns 425% of the typical full-time worker's ordinary-time earnings. It's a simple way to compare pay across different jobs and industries, using a consistent benchmark.

What affects AFL player salaries?

Several factors determine an individual AFL player's salary:

• Draft position and experience: First-year draftees earn a fixed minimum under the CBA, while veterans with long service can earn more.
• Performance and status: Star players command higher salaries, especially those who are match-winners or have marketable profiles.
• Free agency and contract negotiations: Players can move clubs as free agents, driving up salaries through competition.
• Club salary cap management: Clubs must stay within the TPP, so they may front-load or back-load contracts to fit star players under the cap.
• CBA increases: The current CBA runs to 2027, with total player payments expected to rise each year. Clubs anticipate an average of three million-dollar players per club by 2027.

Where to find more information

For a broader view of how pay compares across Australia, explore the topics page or check state-by-state benchmarks on the states page. You can also read about how the salary index is calculated on the method page. If you're interested in award-covered wages, the pay guides section explains minimum rates for various industries.

AFL player salaries are a unique case – they are not set by awards, they are far above the national average, and they are governed by a collective agreement that is renegotiated every few years. The salary index helps put that into perspective, showing just how far above the typical Australian worker the average AFL player sits.