Mark Bridge, John Aloisi and PFA President, Simon Colosimo signing for Sydney FC in March © Getty Images

With the off-season well and truly underway, it is inevitable that there will continue to be players transferring clubs in the A-League, either within the state, interstate or even from overseas. Part of this process includes the issue of relocation.

Under the A-League Collective Bargaining Agreement 2008-2013, the amount clubs can pay players outside of the salary capy by way of the Relocation Allowance has been increased to between $10,000 and $25,000 subject to the nature of the relocation (intrastate, interstate, international) and the category of player (single, family).

The following table sets out the maximum amount available to a player according to the category of the player.

Player Category Maximum Amount (per player)
Player relocating without family within the same State in Australia $10,000
Player relocating with family within the same State in Australia $15,000
Player relocating without family between different States in Australia $15,000
Player relocating with family between different States in Australia $20,000
Player relocating without family to Australia from outside Australia $20,000
Player relocating with family to Australia from outside Australia $25,000

 

The payment or reimbursement of relocation expenses up to the above maximum amounts are made outside the salary cap, provided that receipts are produced. Relocation expenses may include airfares for the player and his immediate family, removalist or storage costs, establisment household goods and furniture costs and temporary accomodation for a period of up to 8 weeks.  Clubs may seek to develop their own policies in relation to relocation.  However, these are not enforceable if inconsistent with the CBA.  An example is where a club seeks to limit claims to within a certain timeframe after relocation.  The PFA also advises that any unspent Relocation Allowance in a player’s contract can be used to return the player and his family to the original location upon the conclusion of the contract.

For a copy of the Relocation Allowance Factsheet, please click here.