The Australian soccer league system represents the structure of soccer leagues in Australia. Both the men's and women's structures run on a straight tiered system without promotion and relegation.
The introduction of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) in 2013 introduced a direct second tier of soccer in Australia, underpinning the A-League. The NPL incorporated the existing state leagues as divisions with a nationwide end of season finals series, involving initially five of the nine top state leagues. The remainder – with the exception of the Northern Territory – joined in 2014.
Since 2025, sixteen teams from the NPL contest a post-season spring competition – the Australian Championship. There are aspirations for this competition to eventually become a stand-alone home and away league.
Men's system LevelTotal clubsLeague(s) / division(s)Additional competitions112A-League Men12 clubs (2 from New Zealand)299National Premier Leagues Men's99 clubs – 8 divisionsAustralian Championship16 clubs – 4 groups
The system is only defined as far as level 2. What follows is a notional structure, based on which leagues promote and relegate to each other and the connection of Football Australia's associated bodies.
LevelTotal clubsLeague(s) / division(s)21113106499548642732833936103611331220 Key p = promotion r = relegation
Women's system The women's soccer league system in Australia is similar to that of the men's.
LevelTotal clubsLeague(s) / division(s)111A-League Women11 clubs (1 from New Zealand)291National Premier Leagues Women's91 clubs – 8 divisions
The system is only defined as far as level 2. What follows is a notional structure, based on which leagues promote and relegate to each other and the connection of Football Australia's associated bodies.
LevelTotal clubsLeague(s) / division(s)296352441514610712811 Key p = promotion r = relegation
See also
Soccer in Australia Capital Football pyramid Football Queensland pyramid Football South Australia pyramid League system, for a list of similar systems in other countries Australian Championship List of association football competitions
Notes
References
External links Australian Capital Territory competitions New South Wales competitions Northern New South Wales competitions Northern Territory competitions Queensland competitions South Australia competitions Tasmania competitions Victoria competitions Western Australia competitions