Football Australia Refutes Reports of 20% Participation Fee Increase

Football Australia has announced a clarification of reports of a supposed 20 percent rise in participation fees, confirming that its National Registration Fee (NRF) will increase by only $3 for juniors and $7 for seniors in 2026.

Commenting on the announcement, interim CEO, Heather Garriock, said: “It is simply incorrect to suggest participation fees have risen by 20 percent. Our adjustment equates to just a few dollars per player vital to maintaining the safety, inclusivity, and development systems that underpin the game.”

Garriock added that football remains one of Australia’s most accessible and inclusive sports, with a strong focus on ensuring every participant from MiniRoos to professionals can enjoy the game in a safe, well-governed environment.

Between 2020 and 2023, Football Australia made no changes to registration fees, with only minor adjustments of $0.50 and $1 introduced in 2024 and 2025.

The NRF represents just a small portion of total registration costs and is not a profit-making levy, but rather a reinvestment mechanism to sustain key programs and infrastructure across the sport.

According to Football Australia, the NRF supports:

• Safeguarding and inclusion frameworks, including the Member Protection Framework (MPF);
• National Club Development Programs and entry-level referee and coach accreditation;
• National championships for youth and futsal programs;
• Maintenance of digital systems such as Play Football and Game Day, which facilitate nationwide registration and competition management.

Football Australia emphasised that it does not control fees charged by private academies, which are separate from community football and often misrepresented as part of the same cost structure.

In comparison, football’s NRF typically accounts for 5–12% of total registration costs, aligning closely with AFL (8–20%), netball (9–15%), and NRL and cricket (6–12%).

To promote transparency, Football Australia has launched a “Cost of Football” review to ensure greater clarity for parents and participants and guide future NRF models.

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