Football Australia has released its comprehensive report on the Domestic Transfer System (DTS) for the 2023/24 fiscal year, highlighting significant progress across Australian football. The Report comes ahead of the mid-season Isuzu UTE A-League Men transfer window, which opens on 16 January 2025.

Covering the period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, the Football Australia Football Transfer Report (the Report) highlights key milestones in domestic and international player transfers, reflecting Australian football’s continued professionalisation and alignment with global standards.

The DTS has been instrumental in integrating the football ecosystem, incentivising clubs to develop talent, and strengthening the domestic football economy through reforms. These outcomes reflect the vision outlined in Football Australia’s XI Principles for the Future of Australian Football and the subsequent publication of the Domestic Transfer System Transformation White Paper in 2021, which laid the foundation for ongoing reforms.

The Report saw notable growth in women’s football, with a 46% increase in international professional transfers and a 200% rise in transfer fees for female players.

Melbourne City FC set a national record for the highest-ever women’s transfer fee, highlighting the global demand for Australian talent. These achievements were bolstered by the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ and the CommBank Matildas, which elevated the profile of Australian players on the global stage.

In men’s football, international transfers increased by 125%, with total transfer fees rising to $17.4 million, nearly tripling from the previous year. The Central Coast Mariners FC led the way with seven international player transfers, doubling their total transfer fees.

Domestically, the implementation of the FIFA-backed Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS) enabled the secure and transparent management of over 600 professional transfers across eleven (11) Member Associations. Clubs increasingly benefited from training compensation and transfer fees, reflecting the growing value of Australian players. The recent introduction of Homegrown Player rules in National Premier Leagues (NPL) competitions further supports pathways for young players, with 50% of fee-based transfers involving players aged 18-23.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson underscored the organisation’s role in driving these reforms, stating: “We have always believed that a modern domestic transfer system would invigorate and drive the domestic football economy.

“This belief was enshrined in our XI Principles and supported by our industry-wide consultations leading to the Domestic Transfer System White Paper in 2021. Our role has been to create an environment where clubs are incentivised to invest in the training and development of players, and it’s been pleasing to see clubs across the country, particularly in the A-Leagues, embracing these reforms. Their hard work has delivered real rewards for clubs and our national teams alike.”

Johnson added: “The 2023/24 year was a game-changer for football in Australia. The surge in transfers for both women’s and men’s football showcases the incredible talent coming through and the success of our reforms in creating a system that competes on the global stage. Women’s football continues to shine, with record-breaking transfer fees reflecting the high demand for Australian players worldwide. By building a transfer system that’s transparent, sustainable, and full of opportunities, we’re paving the way for a brighter future for our players, clubs, and fans.”

A-Leagues Commissioner Nick Garcia highlighted the growing global recognition of the leagues’ talent and development pathways, stating: “The A-Leagues is proud of the tremendous growth of transfer fees generated across the Ninja A-League Women and Isuzu UTE A-League Men, which highlights the quality and the increased appeal for the footballers across our leagues.

“Our clubs have driven this growth through their continued investment in young Australian footballers through academies and development pathways since 2016, which has unearthed so many exciting players that have lit up our leagues and the national teams. Furthermore, the growth of the transfer fees generated is testament to the quality of the A-Leagues, its clubs and players in the global football economy. 

“We celebrate A-Leagues players going on to play in some of the biggest clubs and leagues in the world as well as the CommBank Matildas and Subway Socceroos, but also recognise the journey starts here.

“We will continue to work with the Australian football pyramid through domestic transfers to ensure as many young players are getting as many A-Leagues match minutes as possible to set them up for that journey and ensure the A-Leagues continues to be the place to watch the domestic stars of today and the global stars of tomorrow,” concluded Garcia.

Looking ahead, Football Australia remains focused on enhancing the transfer system to ensure long-term growth and competitiveness. Priorities include integrating the National Second Tier, strengthening youth pathways, and fostering a financially sustainable football economy.