Australian A-League player union rejects pay proposal, league faces CBA uncertainty

The Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) union voted unanimously to reject the latest pay deal offered by the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), leaving the A-League Men and Women without a collective bargaining agreement after the previous CBA expired on June 30.

The rejected proposal included a $100,000 increase to the men’s salary cap to $2.6 million, a limit of one marquee contract per club, a $775,000 salary cap for the women’s competition and a 27 percent rise in the minimum wage for female players to about $35,000 a season. PFA chief executive Beau Busch said the majority felt the offer did not advance the interests of players or the game. With no CBA in place, the leagues could face industrial action. APL chief executive Steve Rosich said the organisation will consider its next steps while the 2026‑27 season fixtures are finalised.