‘Collaborative and strategic approach’: AFL Victoria unveils transfer shake-up

Local footy clubs looking for a new home from next season will have until the end of next month to lodge an application as part of AFL Vic’s stringent new transfer guidelines. Latest here.

AFL Victoria has amended its team and club transfer guidelines.

Suburban and country football clubs looking for a league transfer will be bound by tighter rules following AFL Victoria’s amendments to its regulations.

In a statement released by AFL Victoria on Thursday, clubs and teams hoping to move leagues ahead of 2026 will have until June 30 to lodge an application, with the date brought forward from October 31.

“The AFL Victoria Affiliate Regulations which contain the Transfer of Clubs and Teams guidelines are effective April 23rd 2025 and apply for all relevant applications for the 2026 season onwards,” AFL Victoria said.

The governing body said its changes were made in the hope of a more “collaborative and strategic approach” among community football bodies, with other key amendments including:

· The introduction of forms to make a transfer application, including the requirement for more specific evidence to support the application.

· Requirement for clubs to meet with their existing league to discuss the application once the Intention to Transfer Form has been lodged.

· The two relevant leagues must meet to discuss the proposed transfer and the consequences, both positive and negative with a view to resolving the application in a way that is most beneficial to all involved parties.

“The amendments come after it was recognised that the current Victorian State Affiliate Regulation which administer this process, and the introduction or amendment of any underage competition was not adequate in managing the significance of such changes,” AFL Victoria said.

“The amended regulations have been designed to best provide a collaborative and strategic approach amongst community football bodies in Victoria to prioritise positive outcomes for the game.

“By providing early intent notifications to relevant parties and maintaining transparent communications throughout the process, the revised process to assess a proposed transfer will allow more informed and efficient decision making.”

AFL Victoria said effective collaboration between clubs and governing bodies was imperative.

“Newly created resources to capture evidence relevant to a proposition and amended timeframe requirements will ensure a more thorough assessment of applications by all involved stakeholders.

“Effective collaboration to reach agreement on these applications is important due to the weight of influence that such decisions can have on the future direction of the game in Victoria.”

The appeals process remained in place.

“It is possible that an agreement on a transfer proposition may not be reached and therefore an objection process (appeal) has been retained,” the statement read.

“The appeal is to be submitted to AFL Victoria with all parties having full disclosure of the evidence in support and defence throughout the entire process, not just in the final stages.”

AFL Victoria said the amended transfer and appeals processes allowed for “all interested parties to be fully informed and for an accurate and thorough assessment of the proposed transfers strategic benefit to the game immediately and longer term.”