Football Australia (FA) has released its inaugural Football Transfer Report, detailing “tremendous progress” throughout the 2023/24 fiscal year in which there was a great increase of transfer sales for Australian players.

The FA announced their report earlier this month with it pertaining to the Domestic Transfer System (DTS) from all Australian football throughout the period of 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.

The DTS has been instrumental in integrating the football ecosystem, incentivising clubs to develop talent, and strengthening the domestic football economy through reforms, with the report’s findings demonstrating improvement for both the men and the women.

The report noted significant growth in women’s football, with a 46 per cent increase in international professional transfers and a 200 per cent rise in transfer fees for female players.

Melbourne City set a national record for the highest-ever women’s transfer fee during this period.

On the men’s side, international transfers increased by 125 per cent with the total transfer frees coming to $17.4 million, nearly three times what it was the previous year.

Central Coast Mariners led the way with seven international player transfers, doubling their total transfer fees.

The organisation highlighted the success in the implementation of the FIFA-backed Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS), and the recent introduction of Homegrown Player rules in National Premier Leagues (NPL) competitions as important markers of development.

They specified the latter as pivotal in supporting young players, which is crucial given that 50 per cent of fee-based transfers involving players aged 18-23.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson stressed their satisfaction in these outcomes, with the organisation having tasked itself in helping foster a strong domestic transfer system and drive the domestic football economy.

“The 2023/24 year was a game-changer for football in Australia,” Jonhson said in the FA’s official announcement on the report.

“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.”

He highlighted the important work done by the various clubs across the country in embracing their reforms aimed at improving the DTS, saying “their hard work has delivered real rewards for clubs and our national teams alike”.

A-Leagues Commissioner Nick Garcia expressed pride in how the men’s and women’s competitions have helped generate growing global recognition of the leagues’ talent and development pathways.

“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,” Garcia said.

He added that it is crucial to help domestic talent at the start of their careers in Australia and prepare them for overseas, stating that they will continue to work with the Australian football pyramid through domestic transfers to give players as much experience as possible.

The FA stressed they will continue to focus on enhancing the transfer system as they take on other priorities moving forward, such as integrating the National Second Tier, strengthening youth pathways, and fostering a financially sustainable football economy.