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Australian soccer league system

{{Short description|Soccer league system of Australia}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}

{{Use Australian English|date=December 2023}}

{{Infobox league system

| image = FFA state member federations.png

| image_size = 220px

| caption = A map showing the nine member federations of Football Australia, which each control their respective state-based competitions.

| country = Australia

| sport = Soccer

| pr = 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.

| federation = Football Australia

| confederation = AFC

| top = {{Unbulleted list|

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| second = {{Unbulleted list|

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| cup = {{Unbulleted list|

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| federations = {{Unbulleted list|

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| tops = {{Unbulleted list|

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| seconds = {{Unbulleted list|

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The Australian soccer league system is the league structure for soccer clubs in Australia.{{cite web |last1=Lynch |first1=Joey |title=Australia's football pyramid is one step closer to reality. Now what? |url=https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/_/id/38995415/australias-football-pyramid-one-step-closer-reality-now-what |publisher=ESPN Australia |access-date=18 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218205425/https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/_/id/38995415/australias-football-pyramid-one-step-closer-reality-now-what |archive-date=18 December 2023 |date=29 November 2023}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.elitetograssroots.net/qbst/8_seasons/2019/2019_index.htm|title=Complete final season tables|last1=Robinson|first1=Andrew|website=elitetograssroots.net|access-date=2020-06-30|archive-date=2020-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630194231/http://www.elitetograssroots.net/qbst/8_seasons/2019/2019_index.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Howe |first1=Andrew |title=Australia's national league: 40 years strong |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/australias-national-league-40-years-strong/ |publisher=A-Leagues |access-date=18 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010205422/https://aleagues.com.au/news/australias-national-league-40-years-strong/ |archive-date=10 October 2024 |date=2017}}

The National Soccer League (NLS) stood from 1977 to 2004 as the top nationwide tier above the current state-based league systems.{{cite web |title=Dockerty Cup History Series: The NSL and Cup's demise |url=https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/news/dockerty-cup-history-series-nsl-and-cups-demise |publisher=Football Victoria |access-date=27 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218133107/https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/news/dockerty-cup-history-series-nsl-and-cups-demise |archive-date=18 December 2024 |date=31 July 2024}}{{cite web |title=New soccer league slated for 2004 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/new-soccer-league-slated-for-2004-20031209-gdhy08.html |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=27 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616043619/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/new-soccer-league-slated-for-2004-20031209-gdhy08.html |archive-date=16 June 2024 |date=9 December 2003}} In 2005, the A-League (known as A-League Men since 2021) was established as its successor.{{cite web |title=All square in A-League preseason matches |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-07-23/all-square-in-a-league-preseason-matches/2064948 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028041229/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-07-23/all-square-in-a-league-preseason-matches/2064948 |archive-date=28 October 2016 |date=23 July 2005}}{{cite web |last1=Cockerill |first1=Michael |title=A league of their own |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/from-the-archives-2005-a-league-of-their-own-20200820-p55nmr.html |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=26 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829194857/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/from-the-archives-2005-a-league-of-their-own-20200820-p55nmr.html |archive-date=29 August 2020 |date=26 August 2005}}

The introduction of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) in 2013 introduced a direct second tier of soccer in Australia, underpinning the A-League.{{cite web |last1=Gorman |first1=Joe |title=Why the NPL matters for Australian football |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/09/why-the-npl-matters-for-australian-football |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=18 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218221348/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/09/why-the-npl-matters-for-australian-football |archive-date=18 December 2024 |date=9 December 2013}} 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.{{cite web|title=National Premier Leagues|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/nationalpremierleagues|publisher=Football Australia|access-date=29 May 2013|archive-date=31 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531171241/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/nationalpremierleagues|url-status=live}} The remainder – with the exception of the Northern Territory – joined in 2014.

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.{{cite web |last1=Monteverde |first1=Marco |title=Football Australia confirms second division details...with a catch |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/football-news-2023-australia-second-division-plans-revealed-which-teams-will-participate-aleague-relegation-promotion/news-story/7f84b0e87f3c90d4c29b6c5c7c2b823c |publisher=Fox Sports |access-date=27 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212083556/https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/football-news-2023-australia-second-division-plans-revealed-which-teams-will-participate-aleague-relegation-promotion/news-story/7f84b0e87f3c90d4c29b6c5c7c2b823c |archive-date=12 February 2025 |date=6 November 2023}}{{cite web |title=2024 NPL/League 1 Men's Promotion and Relegation Playoff details Announced |url=https://footballnsw.com.au/2024/08/26/2024-npl-league-1-mens-promotion-and-relegation-playoff-details-announced/ |publisher=Football NSW |access-date=27 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911124325/https://footballnsw.com.au/2024/08/26/2024-npl-league-1-mens-promotion-and-relegation-playoff-details-announced/ |archive-date=11 September 2024 |date=26 August 2024}}

{{clear}}

Table

The table excludes parallel leagues such as the A-League Women. The women's soccer league system in Australia is similar to that of the men's.{{cite web |title=The Women's Season is about to start! Here’s everything you need to know |url=https://www.footballsa.com.au/news/womens-season-about-start-heres-everything-you-need-know |publisher=Football SA |access-date=27 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241104172835/https://www.footballsa.com.au/news/womens-season-about-start-heres-everything-you-need-know |archive-date=4 November 2024 |date=14 March 2024}}{{cite web |title=Women's & Men's Promotion, Relegation & Play-Offs for the 2024 Season |url=https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/news/womens-mens-promotion-relegation-play-offs-2024-season |publisher=Football Victoria |access-date=27 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241025032651/https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/news/womens-mens-promotion-relegation-play-offs-2024-season |archive-date=25 October 2024 |date=14 May 2024}}

The table excludes the Australian Championship, which although is in a league format, is a spring competition contested by teams from the level 2 National Premier Leagues.

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width="100%;"
Level

!colspan=16|Leagues

1

| colspan="16"|A-League Men
13 clubs (2 from New Zealand)
no relegation

rowspan="2" |2

| colspan="14"|National Premier Leagues
94 clubs (from 8 divisions){{efn|From 2025, a subset of 16 level 2 clubs play in an associated spring competition called the Australian Championship.{{cite web |last1=Rugari |first1=Vince |title=Football Australia will launch a national second division in 2025. Here's what you need to know |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/football-australia-will-launch-a-national-second-division-in-2025-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-20241031-p5kmvd.html |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=12 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212035741/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/football-australia-will-launch-a-national-second-division-in-2025-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-20241031-p5kmvd.html |archive-date=12 February 2025 |date=31 October 2024}}}}

| colspan="2" |Football Northern Territory
12 clubs (from 2 divisions)

colspan="2"; width="8.4%"; bgcolor=A2D5DB|NPL ACT
8 clubs
no promotion
↓ relegate 1

| width="8.4%"; bgcolor=A6C8E3|NPL NSW
16 clubs
no promotion
↓ relegate 1.5

| width="8.4%"; bgcolor=F39E99|NPL Northern NSW
12 clubs
no promotion
↓ relegate 1.5

| width="8.4%"; bgcolor=D6908C|NPL Queensland
12 clubs
no promotion
↓ relegate 2

| colspan="2" ; width="16.4%"; bgcolor=F3877A|NPL SA
12 clubs
no promotion
↓ relegate 2

| colspan="2" ; width="16.4%"; bgcolor=A6D69E|NPL Tasmania
8 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| colspan="4" ; width="16.4%"; bgcolor=B2C9EB|NPL Victoria
14 clubs
no promotion
↓ relegate 2

| width="8.4%"; bgcolor=F4E6A3|NPL WA
12 clubs
no promotion
↓ relegate 1.5

|bgcolor=E2B38C|NorZone Premier League
8 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| width="8.4%"; bgcolor=E2B38C|Southern Zone Premier League
4 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

3

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=A2D5DB |Capital Premier League
8 clubs
↑ promote 1
no relegation

| bgcolor=A6C8E3 | NSW League One
16 clubs
↑ promote 1.5
↓ relegate 1.5

|bgcolor=F39E99|Northern League One
10 clubs
↑ promote 1.5
↓ relegate 1

|bgcolor=D6908C|Queensland
Premier League 1
11 clubs
↑ promote 2
↓ relegate 1

| colspan="2"; width="16.4%"; bgcolor=F3877A|SA State League 1
12 clubs
↑ promote 2
↓ relegate 2

| width="8.2%"; bgcolor=A6D69E|Tasmania Northern Championship
8 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| width="8.2%"; bgcolor=A6D69E|Tasmania Southern Championship
10 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| colspan="4"; bgcolor=B2C9EB |Victorian Premier League 1
14 clubs
{{nowrap|↑ promote 2}}
↓ relegate 2

|bgcolor=F4E6A3|WA State League 1
12 clubs
↑ promote 1.75
↓ relegate 1.5

4

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=A2D5DB |Capital League 1
10 clubs
no promotion
↓ relegate 1

| bgcolor=A6C8E3 | NSW League Two
15 clubs
↑ promote 1.5
no relegation

|bgcolor=F39E99|Regional
7 districts
no promotion

|bgcolor=D6908C|Queensland
Premier League 2
12 clubs
↑ promote 2
no relegation

|bgcolor=F3877A|SA State League 2 North
8 clubs
↑ promote 1
no relegation

|bgcolor=F3877A|SA State League 2 South
8 clubs
↑ promote 1
no relegation

|bgcolor=A6D69E|Tasmania Northern Social League 1
9 clubs
no promotion

|bgcolor=A6D69E|Tasmania Southern Social League 1
6 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| colspan="4"; bgcolor=B2C9EB |Victorian Premier League 2
12 clubs
{{nowrap|↑ promote 2}}
↓ relegate 2

|bgcolor=F4E6A3|WA State League 2
12 clubs
↑ promote 1.5
↓ relegate 1

| colspan="2" |

5

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=A2D5DB |Capital League 2
10 clubs
↑ promote 1
↓ relegate 1

| bgcolor=A6C8E3 | Regional
19 districts
no promotion

| colspan="1" |

| bgcolor=D6908C|Regional
9 districts
↑ promote 1

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=F3877A|Regional
6 districts
no promotion

|bgcolor=A6D69E|Tasmania Southern Social League 2
6 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

|

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=B2C9EB |Vic State League 1
North-West
12 clubs
↑ promote 1
↓ relegate 2

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=B2C9EB |Vic State League 1
South-East
12 clubs
↑ promote 1
↓ relegate 2

|bgcolor=F4E6A3|Regional
12 districts
↑ promote 1

| colspan="2" |

6

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=A2D5DB |Capital League 3
10 clubs
↑ promote 1
no relegation

| colspan="5" |

|bgcolor=A6D69E|Tasmania Southern Social League 3
6 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

|

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=B2C9EB |Vic State League 2
North-West
12 clubs
↑ promote 2
↓ relegate 2

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=B2C9EB |Vic State League 2
South-East
12 clubs
↑ promote 2
↓ relegate 2

| colspan="3" |

7

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=A2D5DB |Capital League 4
10 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| colspan="5" |

|bgcolor=A6D69E|Tasmania Southern Social League 4
8 clubs
no promotion

|

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=B2C9EB |Vic State League 3
North-West
12 clubs
↑ promote 2
↓ relegate 2

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=B2C9EB |Vic State League 3
South-East
12 clubs
↑ promote 2
↓ relegate 2

| colspan="3" |

8

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=A2D5DB |Capital League 5
10 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| colspan="7" |

|bgcolor=B2C9EB|VSL 4 North
12 clubs
{{nowrap|↑ promote 1}}
↓ relegate 2

|bgcolor=B2C9EB|VSL 4 West
12 clubs
{{nowrap|↑ promote 1}}
↓ relegate 2

|bgcolor=B2C9EB|VSL 4 South
12 clubs
{{nowrap|↑ promote 1}}
↓ relegate 2

|bgcolor=B2C9EB|VSL 4 East
12 clubs
{{nowrap|↑ promote 1}}
↓ relegate 2

| colspan="3" |

9

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=A2D5DB |Capital League 6
10 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| colspan="7" |

|bgcolor=B2C9EB|VSL 5 North
12 clubs
{{nowrap|↑ promote 2}}
{{nowrap|no relegation}}

|bgcolor=B2C9EB|VSL 5 West
12 clubs
{{nowrap|↑ promote 2}}
{{nowrap|no relegation}}

|bgcolor=B2C9EB|VSL 5 South
12 clubs
{{nowrap|↑ promote 2}}
{{nowrap|no relegation}}

|bgcolor=B2C9EB|VSL 5 East
12 clubs
{{nowrap|↑ promote 2}}
{{nowrap|no relegation}}

| colspan="3" |

10

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=A2D5DB |Capital League 7
10 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| colspan="7" |

| colspan="4"; bgcolor=B2C9EB |Regional
15 districts
no promotion

| colspan="3" |

11

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=A2D5DB |Capital League 8
10 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| colspan="14" |

12

| colspan="2"; bgcolor=A2D5DB |Capital League 9
10 clubs
no promotion
no relegation

| colspan="14" |

13

| bgcolor=A2D5DB|Capital League 10 Blue
10 clubs
no promotion

| bgcolor=A2D5DB|Capital League 10 Gold
10 clubs
no promotion

| colspan="14" |

See also

{{Portal|Australia|soccer}}

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/competitions Australian Capital Territory competitions]
  • [http://www.footballnsw.com.au/index.php?id=90 New South Wales competitions]
  • [http://www.northernnswfootball.com.au/index.php?id=125 Northern New South Wales competitions]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20130513112951/http://www.footballnt.com.au/pages/Zones---What-do-they-do.html Northern Territory competitions]
  • [http://www.footballqueensland.com.au/index.php?id=28 Queensland competitions]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20130604071316/http://www.ffsa.com.au/competitions South Australia competitions]
  • [http://www.footballfedtas.com.au/index.php?id=104 Tasmania competitions]
  • [http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/index.php?id=939 Victoria competitions]
  • [http://www.footballwest.com.au/index.php?id=60 Western Australia competitions]

{{AUS fb general}}

{{AUS fb states}}

{{League systems}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Australian football league system}}

Australia