NRL & RLPA announce opening of NRLW contract window

The National Rugby League and Rugby League Players Association have announced that the contracting window will be open for the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership tomorrow (Wednesday, March 29) at 9am AEDT.

The NRL and the RLPA have agreed key detail around the NRLW contracts, allowing for players to sign with Clubs for the 2023 season and beyond. This means for the first time NRLW players are able to sign multi-year contracts with Clubs.

"We are extremely excited to be officially opening the contract window for the 2023 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership. This is a watershed moment for rugby league. We are pleased to have agreed the key terms of the NRLW contracting model with the RLPA and Clubs resulting in a landmark new salary cap, minimum wage and player benefits," NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.

"For the first time, elite female players have the opportunity to sign multi-year contracts with 10 NRLW Clubs, which provides these players with long term security and certainty.

"The Commission's investment in the women's game is being prioritised at all levels. This is an important step forward, and one of many we will be taking in the future."

Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA, thanked the players for their solidarity and the crucial role they played in the opening of a historic contracting window for NRLW players.

"I would like to thank the entire NRLW playing group for their determination and commitment to securing strong payments, benefits, and entitlements for current and future players. The new NRLW contracting structure will play a significant role in retaining and recruiting the best talent, helping with the continual growth in participation and exposure for the women's game.

"Along with the players, I would like to acknowledge the incredible role played by Lina Caccamo, our GM of Elite Women, in supporting the players and ensuring their contracts gave them the security and protections they deserve. Our attention now turns to finalising our joint-CBA with the NRL for both male and female players and continuing to build the foundations that will lead to full professionalism for NRLW players."

Clubs will have a top 24 NRLW squad list in addition to funding for investment in four development players for the 2023 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership.

The 2023 NRLW season will have a total period of 20 weeks (nine-round regular season, semi finals, Grand Final). Pre-season training will commence on Monday 29 May.

The draw for the 2023 NRLW season is likely to be announced next week.

The NRL is investing circa $118m over five years including significant improvements in minimum wage, entitlements and contracting. 

Following terms agreed between the NRL and the RLPA in February, the NRLW salary cap rises from $350,000 in 2022 to $900,000 in 2023 with annual salary caps over the 5-year cycle set as follows;

• 2023 - $900,000
• 2024 - $1,020,000
• 2025 - $1,254,000
• 2026 - $1,386,000
• 2027 - $1,518,000

The minimum NRLW salaries over the 5-year cycle are set as follows;

• 2023 - $30,000
• 2024 - $34,000
• 2025 - $41,800
• 2026 - $46,200
• 2027 - $50,600

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