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The Bachelor of Football (Development, Management and Performance) is Australia's first dedicated football degree, offering a unique and specialised pathway into the football industry. The course equips students with the skills, knowledge, and understanding to prepare for a diverse range of careers across all aspects of football — from grassroots community programs to elite high-performance environments. It explores multiple football codes including soccer, rugby league, rugby union, AFL, rugby 7s, wheelchair rugby, futsal, and touch football, examining how these global sports deliver exemplary practice across coaching, community participation, management, leadership, sport science, and high-performance contexts. Designed as a three-year full-time qualification (or part-time equivalent) spanning six 12-week semesters, it combines approximately 12 contact hours per week with a minimum of 260 hours of work-integrated learning placements in real football environments.
The course is designed in collaboration with the football industry, with classes taught by industry experts who use real-life case studies drawn from football professionals, clubs, and organisations — ensuring outcomes remain industry-relevant and in demand. Students are assessed through real-world activities using a combination of practical and theory-based tasks. The final year of the course is structured so it can be completed while undertaking a domestic or international placement. Employers who hire graduates span the full breadth of Australian and international football: professional clubs, national sporting organisations such as Football Australia, the NRL, AFL, Rugby Australia and FFA, state football federations, local councils, community football associations, school sport programs, and elite academies.
Graduates are prepared to work across sport development, sports coaching, sports management, sports performance, and sports science. The course is FEE-HELP approved for eligible domestic students and is not ATAR dependent, making it accessible through multiple entry pathways including prior VET qualifications, work experience, and portfolio-based entry. An Associate Degree and Diploma in Football (Development, Management and Performance) are also available as entry-level or pathway qualifications into the bachelor's degree.
Football is one of Australia's most popular and rapidly growing sports sectors, with multiple codes — soccer, AFL, rugby league, rugby union, and touch football — all expanding their professional, community, and grassroots footprints. The professionalisation of football administration and the increasing complexity of high-performance programs, player welfare, game development, and community inclusion initiatives has created a significant and growing skills gap for qualified football professionals. Employers across the industry are seeking graduates with specialist knowledge that bridges sport science, business management, coaching methodology, and community development — a combination that generalist sport management degrees do not fully deliver. This degree directly addresses that gap, making graduates highly sought-after across clubs, federations, academies, and government sport agencies.
Beyond the domestic market, the globalisation of football codes — particularly soccer and rugby — opens international career pathways for Australian graduates. Completion of industry-endorsed coaching accreditations (such as NRL Community Coach or FA Mini Roos Coaching) alongside the degree further enhances employability and professional standing. The combination of structured work-integrated learning, real industry connections built during placement hours, and curriculum co-designed with football organisations means graduates enter the workforce with genuine, job-ready credentials and networks that give them a decisive head start in a competitive and passionate industry.
This degree is not ATAR dependent, meaning prospective students can enter through multiple academic pathways. Domestic applicants must be 18 years of age (or turn 18 within their first semester). Standard academic entry is via a minimum NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent state/territory Year 12 qualification meeting the required standards. Alternatively, applicants may enter via a completed Associate Diploma, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Tertiary Preparation Certificate from a TAFE or recognised VET provider; a completed Certificate III or Certificate IV plus Year 11 completion; one year of full-time study in a recognised Australian higher education degree; or through formal articulation arrangements as determined by the institution's Academic Board. A Big Picture Education Portfolio from a Big Picture School, supported by a school principal recommendation, is also an accepted pathway. Mature-age applicants (21 years or older) without Year 12 may be assessed on a case-by-case basis based on relevant work or life experience.
All applicants must meet minimum English language requirements. International applicants must achieve an Academic IELTS overall score of at least 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the reading, writing, listening, and speaking subtests. Computer literacy is also required — students must have unrestricted internet access and a personal laptop meeting minimum specifications (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Intel Core i5/i7 processor, and a front-facing webcam). Because the degree involves work-integrated learning in environments where students may interact with children, all students must hold a valid Working with Children Check before commencing their course. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for applicants with relevant prior education or employment experience, and credit transfer may be granted where prior learning is current, relevant, and evidence-based in line with TEQSA Threshold Standards.
This course may be offered in different study modes depending on the university, campus location, course structure and student type. Students should check the available delivery mode before applying, as not every study option is available at every institution.
On-campus study is the traditional mode of delivery where students attend classes, lectures, tutorials, workshops or seminars at the university campus. This option may suit students who prefer face-to-face learning, access to campus facilities, networking with classmates, practical workshops, group projects and direct engagement with academic staff.
Some universities may offer programs fully online or with online subject options. Online study can be attractive for students who need flexibility due to work, family, location or other commitments. Online study may suit domestic students, working professionals or students who want to study from outside Australia.
Hybrid or blended study usually combines online learning with some on-campus classes, workshops, intensive sessions or practical components. This mode may suit students who want flexibility but still want some face-to-face interaction. The exact structure varies between institutions.
Programs in Australia may have different intake structures depending on the university. The most common intake systems are semester, trimester and block mode.
Many Australian universities follow a two-semester academic calendar. The main intakes are commonly Semester 1 (around February or March) and Semester 2 (around July). Semester-based study usually allows students to complete a set number of subjects over approximately 12 to 14 weeks.
Some universities use a trimester system, which generally provides three study periods a year — around February/March, June/July and October/November. Trimester study may provide more flexibility and may help some students complete their course faster.
Some institutions may offer selected subjects or programs in block mode, where students focus on one subject at a time over a shorter, more intensive teaching period. Block mode may suit students who prefer concentrated learning or working professionals managing study around employment.
Some online or professionally focused programs may offer more frequent start dates or flexible entry points throughout the year. Students should not assume that every course has monthly or multiple intakes — availability depends on the institution, course structure and student type.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Football (Development, Management and Performance) are positioned for a wide range of careers across professional and community football in Australia and internationally. Potential employers include Football Australia, the AFL, NRL, Rugby Australia, state and territory sporting organisations, professional A-League and NRL clubs, community football associations, local government sport departments, school sport programs, high-performance academies, and international football federations. The qualification is valued across all football codes and spans roles in game development, coaching, performance analysis, operations, community programs, player welfare, and senior management.
Entry Level
Graduate / Assistant
Football Development Assistant, Club and League Support Officer, Program Administration Assistant, Community Football Volunteer Coordinator, Junior Performance Analyst
Early Career
Officer / Coordinator
Game Development Officer, Community Program Coordinator, Player Pathway Coordinator, Event and Competition Coordinator, School Program Officer, Participation Officer, Inclusion and Diversity Officer
Mid-Level
Adviser / Specialist
Performance Analysis Manager, Coach Development Manager, Academy Manager, Football Operations Manager, Welfare and Player Development Manager, Referee Development Manager, Sport for Development Manager
Senior Level
Manager / Senior Adviser
Head of Football, Game Development Manager, Community Football Manager, High Performance Manager, Technical Director, State Football Manager, Women's Football Manager
Leadership
Director / Head / Principal
Director of Football, Director of Coaching, General Manager (Football Operations), Chief Executive Officer (Football Federation), Head of Performance, National Development Director
Salaries in the Australian football and sports management industry vary considerably by role, code, organisation size, and level of experience.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the heartland of Australian Rules Football and home to the AFL's national headquarters, multiple AFL clubs, and a rich community football culture across all codes, making it one of the most dynamic cities for football development and management careers in Australia. The city also hosts a strong soccer scene through the A-League's Melbourne clubs, Rugby Victoria, and numerous community football associations, providing graduates with an exceptional breadth of industry connections and employment opportunities.
Sydney
Sydney is home to a highly concentrated football ecosystem including NRL clubs, the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC A-League clubs, Football Australia's national operations, Rugby Australia, and Sydney Olympic Park — a hub of national sporting organisations and potential industry placement hosts. The city's diverse and populous football community across codes, combined with major stadium infrastructure and growing women's football programs, creates strong demand for qualified football professionals.
Brisbane
Brisbane's football industry is booming, driven by the city's upcoming hosting of the 2032 Olympic Games, a rapidly growing soccer participation base, strong NRL presence, and significant AFL Queensland expansion programs. The city offers graduates excellent opportunities in game development, community programs, and high-performance roles as state and national organisations invest heavily in Queensland's football infrastructure.
Perth
Perth is a major AFL market with strong club and state football administration networks, as well as growing soccer and rugby communities supported by Football West, WA Football Commission, and Rugby WA. The city's relatively close geographic ties to Asian football markets also make it an attractive base for graduates interested in international football development roles.
Adelaide
Adelaide is home to a passionate AFL culture anchored by two AFL clubs and a strong community football network across the state, alongside growing soccer and rugby participation programs. The city offers a tight-knit sports industry where graduates can build meaningful industry relationships and move quickly into leadership roles within football organisations.
Canberra
Canberra hosts national sporting bodies including Sport Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, and several national football federation offices, giving graduates unique access to policy, governance, and national program development roles that shape football across Australia. The city also has an active community football scene across AFL, soccer, and rugby, with the Brumbies (Super Rugby) providing additional high-performance career pathways.
Before choosing a course, students should compare:
International students who want to study in Australia should also consider additional requirements before applying.
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