Everything you need to know: NRLW CBA
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NRLW players will earn a minimum of $30,000 this season and more than $50,000 in 2027 under an historic $6 million collective bargaining agreement for the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership.
The NRL and RLPA have reached an in principle agreement on financial terms for the first women's CBA, which puts the game's female stars in a similar or better position to their counterparts in most other Australian sports.
Significantly, the CBA also includes policies relating to pregnancy and parental provisions, as well as private health insurance.
Under the financial terms of the five-year CBA, the salary cap will be set at $900,000 per club this season and rise to $1.5million in 2027.
With details of the terms announced on Tuesday, NRL.com explains what it means for NRLW clubs, players and the future of the 10-team competition, including further expansion.
What is the women's collective bargaining agreement?
The women's CBA is a contract between the NRL and Rugby League Players Association that will shape the next five years of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership from 2023 to 2027.
It is the first time a women's CBA has ever been negotiated in rugby league, and includes details such as the salary cap for each season, the length of the competition and number of weeks players are committed to their NRLW clubs.
How much can players earn and what will rosters look like?
The NRL and RLPA confirmed the following amounts to be split across squads of 24 each season, with minimum wages for each player also confirmed:
- 2023 - $900,000 ($30,000 minimum wage per player)
- 2024 - $1,020,000 ($34,000 minimum wage per player)
- 2025 - $1,254,000 ($41,800 minimum wage per player)
- 2026 - $1,386,000 ($46,200 minimum wage per player)
- 2027 - $1,518,000 ($50,600 minimum wage per player)
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The average wage for NRLW players this season is $37,500 and will rise to $63,250 by 2027, according to the figures set above.
After allocating the minimum $30,000 for each squad member this season, clubs will have $180,000 left to top up the contracts of star players.
In 2027, clubs will have an additional $300,000 in their $1.518m salary cap to pay select players above the $50,600 minimum wage.
What is the length of NRLW contracts?
Players will be signed to 12-month contracts as part of the agreement, with clubs in a position to offer multi-year contracts from 2023.
How regularly players are paid and other conditions, including state competition alignment, will be determined between the club and player.
In the case of Parramatta and star back Tiana Penitani, who signed a two-year contract last year, the deal remains valid, but the club and player may now renegotiate the terms of the final year due to the new CBA in place.
What do the pregnancy and parental policies cover?
Among the key terms of the CBA, to be confirmed, are policies relating to pregnancy and parental arrangements, incorporating support for pregnant players and leave provisions, alongside support for primary carers and parents of infants up to 24 months.
All players will also have access to Wellbeing and Education support and access to injury hardship and other player support funds.
Private health insurance is not included in the salary cap figure for 2023, with funds from NRLW player and club allocation pools to cover private health insurance, pregnancy policies and parental leave for the year.
How long is the NRLW season in 2023?
As part of the agreement, there will be a nine-game regular season in 2023, followed by a two-week finals series.
An additional seven weeks is included for a pre-season and players will receive two weeks annual leave, totalling 20 weeks at an NRLW club overall.
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Will there be more new teams by 2027?
There is an agreement in place for the NRL to be able to increase the number of NRLW teams to a maximum of 12 during the CBA cycle (2023-2027).
Under the terms of the CBA, the length of the season - including pre-season and annual leave - is due to be increased from 20 weeks to 23 weeks in 2025.
There are seven NRL clubs without an NRLW team - four in Sydney (the Bulldogs, Panthers, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles) and three others - the Warriors, Storm and Dolphins.
If the NRLW expanded to 12 teams, they will continue to play each other once as the addition of two more teams would coincide with an increased season of from 20 weeks to just 23 weeks.
When will squads be finalised and a draw announced?
Now that the CBA has been agreed to, expect the NRLW draw for the 2023 season to be announced in the coming weeks amid a flurry of signing action.
The contracting window to officially sign players and announce them is expected to open once contracts are drawn up, with clubs required to fill their 24-strong rosters by May 24.
