The PFA conducts regular research to support players and help them make informed decisions about their careers and also build the professional game in Australia.

This research helps players gain a greater understanding the game of football and the industry within which they are employed, which is critical to building meaningful lives and careers.

Research

Retired and Transitioned Players Report

In 2020, the PFA commissioned this study with the objective to gain a clearer picture of what life is like for footballers after their playing career.

The insights and experiences captured in this report will help the PFA build support program for past players and also provide assistance to current players transitioning to life after football.

The study and data collection was overseen by FIFPRO Chief Medical Officer Vincent Gouttebarge with the report produced by the PFA.

Previous Reports
Golden Generation Report

In seeking to better understand how many of Australia’s finest football moments of the modern era were created, what emerged from interviewing some of our most accomplished players is a framework for the birth, nurturing and the crystallisation of football talent.

Player Pathway Study

The 2017 PFA Player Pathway Study (PPS) represents the most detailed analysis of the careers of Australian male footballers in the history of the sport in this country. The PFA tracked every professional minute played by an Australian footballer from 2002 to 2016. It provides a rich depository of information that we can use to help shape the decision making of current and future players.

Lightning Events Report

The objective of the PFA’s Investigation and Legal Report on Players’ Health and Safety (Lightning Events) Report is three-fold: (1) To understand the current legal and policy framework on players’ health and safety for lightning events; (2) To recognise the issues and gaps in the current legal and policy framework on players’ health and safety for lightning events at the international and regional level; (3) To propose recommendations to effect positive changes to safeguard the players’ health and safety for lightning events.

Domestic League Reports

In our pursuit of building comprehensive research and policies around professional football for our members, the PFA publishes a range of research on the football industry, the professional competitions – the A-League Men and A-League Women – and player development, pathways and health. Following the conclusion of the A-League Men and A-League Women seasons, the PFA produces annual reports analysing each competition.

A-League Women
PFA Annual Reports

2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016

Player Development Program Reports

Policy

The health and wellbeing of professional footballers are vital concerns of the PFA. These concerns are amplified by the nature of a career as a professional footballer, which is precarious, short term and one of constant transition.

For the continued growth and success of Australian football, protecting the health and safety of the players is essential. As with all employees, players are entitled to a workplace, which is free from any unreasonable risk to their health and safety.

To ensure players are provided with this the PFA has established a number of monitoring systems and through collective bargaining with Football Australia (FA) implemented a number of policies.

These policies include Minimum Medical Standards for the A-League Men and A-League Women, Income Protection Policy, Career Ending Insurance, Member Protection Policy, FA Concussion and Heat Policy, and PFA Match Scheduling Policy.

PFA Post

In line with the PFA’s commitment to providing policy leadership to ensure Australian football is the best governed football nation in the world, is internationally competitive on and off the field and is a central part of Australian culture, ‘The PFA Post’ analyses issues impacting Australian football.