Average AFL player salary: how it compares with the national minimum wage

Average AFL player salary: a benchmark far above the minimum

The average AFL player salary captures the eye of sports fans and workers alike. In 2024, the average listed player earned $459,173 per year, according to data released by the AFL. That figure is more than 450 times the weekly national minimum wage of $1,004.90. But the two numbers sit in different worlds: the national minimum is a legal floor for award‑free employees, while AFL pay is set by a collective bargaining agreement that covers the league’s players.

The national minimum wage floor

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. This is the base rate for employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Most private‑sector workers in Australia are in the national system, but many are covered by an award that sets a higher minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these obligations.

Importantly, the national minimum does not apply to everyone at the same rate. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and workers with a disability may receive a lower special minimum. For example, a 17‑year‑old award‑free junior is entitled to 57.8% of the adult rate, or $15.29 per hour. Modern awards also have introductory rates for the first six months of employment, which from 1 July 2026 cannot fall below $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

How the AFL average stacks up

The average AFL player salary of $459,173 translates to about $8,830 per week if divided evenly across 52 weeks. That is nearly nine times the national minimum weekly wage. The top echelon is even higher: in 2024, 25 players earned more than $1 million, and 10 earned at least $1.2 million. The AFL’s total player payments reached $15.8 million per club, and the average for a player who actually took the field was $493,592.

These figures come from the AFL’s annual report and are not a government survey. They include base salary, match payments, and some bonuses, but may exclude image rights or performance incentives. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, and average total earnings for all employees were $1,579.20 per week. The average AFL salary sits far above both measures.

Tax, Medicare, and super on the weekly packet

For a worker on the national minimum wage, the weekly gross of $1,004.90 would attract tax and the Medicare levy (estimated at 2% once annualised ordinary gross exceeds $30,000). After tax, the net weekly amount is lower. The employer also pays 12% superannuation guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings, which is not part of the take‑home pay.

For an AFL player on the average salary, the same principles apply. The $459,173 annual gross is subject to marginal tax rates and Medicare. The super guarantee adds about $55,101 per year, paid into the player’s super fund. Because AFL players are employees, they receive the same super entitlements as other workers, unless they are engaged as independent contractors – a rare arrangement in the AFL system.

The role of awards and agreements

The national minimum wage is a backstop. Most employees are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement that sets higher rates. AFL players are covered by the AFL Players’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is an enterprise agreement approved under the Fair Work Act. The CBA sets minimum pay for each category of player, including rookies and senior listed players. The lowest‑paid AFL player in 2024 earned well above the national minimum, reflecting the specialised nature of professional sport.

If you are not covered by an award or agreement, the national minimum wage applies. You can check which modern award covers your industry using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s tools. For award‑free employees, the rates on this site – including the junior percentages – are the legal minimum.

What this means for your pay

The average AFL player salary is a useful benchmark for understanding how far the national minimum wage is from top‑end earnings. But for most workers, the relevant comparison is with their own award or agreement rate. The national minimum is a safety net, not a target. If you are paid less than the minimum that applies to you, you may be entitled to back pay. The Fair Work Ombudsman can help.

For more detail on which rate applies to you, see Which minimum wage applies. For current award rates and the national minimum, visit the Rate tables.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average AFL player salary? According to AFL data released in 2024, the average AFL player salary was $459,173 per year. For players who appeared in at least one senior game, the average was $493,592. These figures include base payments and match payments but exclude additional payments such as image rights or bonuses.

How does the AFL average compare with the national minimum wage? The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full‑time adult. The average AFL salary is many times higher, but AFL players are covered by their own collective bargaining agreement, not the national minimum wage. The minimum pay for an AFL player is set by that agreement, which is significantly above the national floor.

Do AFL players receive superannuation? Yes. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For an AFL player on the average salary of $459,173, that would add about $55,101 per year in super contributions. The super guarantee applies to all employees, including professional athletes, unless they are engaged as contractors under specific arrangements.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.