The PFA is committed to providing policy leadership to influence and shape the future of Australian football - and footballers’ careers – through industry-leading research and analysis. The PFA’s research and reports continue to entrench the organisation’s position as thought leaders in Australian football, which provides the players a powerful and credible voice.

In addition to the PFA’s annual reports covering the A-League Men’s and Women’s competitions, in 2021 the PFA released a report that reviewed the experience of players after their playing careers in the Retired and Transitioned Players Report, which culminated in the introduction of the PFA Past Players Program.

The Research revealed Australia’s former players continue to face significant challenges after retiring from the sport and require both acute and ongoing support post-career. The research revealed:

• 70% of players said they found transition to the next phase of their life either difficult or very difficult;
• 41% of players rated the support received after transition as very low;
• 56% of players did not engage in pre-retirement planning;
• 57% of former players said their retirement from the game was involuntary​; and
• Only 30% of players gained employment immediately following their careers.