NRL Women Set For Historic CBA, Salary Bump

The National Rugby League’s women players are expected to get a significant bump in their paychecks. 

The NRL and Rugby League Players’ Association have reached an in-principle five-year collective bargaining agreement for NRLW players.

“Although this is not a final agreement and several significant terms are yet to be agreed, this is a big step toward securing their first-ever CBA,” RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said. 

The agreement will see the NRL commit $82.1 million into the women’s game over five years. Players’ minimum wage will increase from roughly $20,827 to $34,712, with salary caps jumping from $625,287 to $1.04 million by 2027.

• Players will receive two weeks of mandated annual leave, with an overall 20-week commitment. 
• The CBA also includes a pregnancy policy that allows players to step away for a full year.

Players will sign 12-month contracts, and clubs will have the ability to offer multi-year deals.

Expansion Timeline

There is also now an agreement in place for the league to expand during the CBA period to 12 teams, up from 10 this year. 

The expansion, which would reportedly coincide with the extension of players’ commitments to 23 weeks, is expected to begin in 2025.