As of the 2017/18 season, all players (except for those on scholarships) are guaranteed a minimum retainer of at least $10,000 for the coming season and $12,200 for the 2018/19 season, with no prescribed maximum cap on any one player’s retainer.

That means the average retainer for  W-League 0layers is expected to rise from $6,909 to $15,500 for 2017/18.

The new CBA also provides "contracting certainty, larger roster sizes, a significantly increased salary cap, an agreed commercial framework to underpin the growth of the women’s game, enhanced minimum medical standards, key principles for the first ever formal maternity policy for Westfield W-League players and the establishment of a formal partnership with the players through the Professional Women’s Football Committee to drive further employment, performance and competition reform."

“This is the start of a new era for professional female footballers in Australia,” said FFA CEO David Gallop. 

“Westfield W-League players deserve this pay rise. They have been trail blazers for women’s sport in Australia and are about to enter their 10th season.

“It is important to acknowledge that this significant improvement has been made possible through the close positive collaboration of the Westfield W-League clubs, Professional Footballers Australia and the players working over many months with FFA.

“I want to thank in particular PFA Chief Executive John Didulica and Player Relations Executive Kate Gill plus Melbourne City FC Chief Executive Scott Munn and Western Sydney Wanderers FC Chief Executive John Tsatsimas who represented the clubs in these negotiations.

“We all share a determination to achieve gender equality in our sport and make it the most attractive option for female Australian athletes.”

PFA CEO John Didulica added: “Having worked with the W-League players through this process, it has reinforced our view that these players are central to the future and to the fabric of Australian football.

“Like generations of players before them, they have succeeded in discharging their responsibility to leave their sport in a better place for players who follow,” he said.

“This deal is foundational. Hand in hand with the club owners and the FFA, it will build a platform to grow the players’ collective hope of building a professional career as a footballer and give the players a clear voice in what that future looks like.”