Soccer Age Groups in Australia

The ultimate question: What are the soccer age groups in Australia? It sounds like it shouldn’t be confusing, but thanks to dated information on various community websites and conflicting information across social groups, we thought we would get the definitive answer for you for Soccer Age Groups in Australia 2024.

Whilst we understand age-groupings may differ from sport to sport and depending on where the teams are based, we have put together a little guide to assist in making the process easier when it comes specifically to soccer, otherwise known as football.

Obviously, we are not the rule makers here, and, as such, you should contact your local football (soccer) club directly before registering your child.

What Football Programs Are Offered?

There are several football programs throughout Australia, with the main ones being:

MiniRoos Kick-Off – An introductory program designed for 4 to 9-year-olds who are new to the game of football, with both mixed or all-girl teams being fielded.

MiniRoos Club Football – For 5 to 11-year-olds and designed to be played on smaller fields, with modified rules and less players. Mixed and all-girl teams generally available.

Youth Football – For the slightly older children, 12 – 18-year-olds, fielding both male and female teams.

Which Age-Group Can My Child Play In?

A players age-group for football will be governed by the age they turn on their birthday in the calendar year of the football season. So, if your child turns 10 between the 1st of January and 31 December, they will play in Under 10’s for that season.

As a guideline, the qualifying birth years for the 2024 season are:

Under 6, born in 2018 or 2019
Under 7, born in 2017
Under 8, born in 2016
Under 9, born in 2015
Under 10, born in 2014
Under 11, born in 2013
Under 12, born in 2012
Under 13, born in 2011
Under 14, born in 2010
Under 15, born in 2009
Under 16, born in 2008
Under 17, born in 2007
Under 18, born in 2006

Player Age Policy

According to the Football Queensland – Player Age Policy, ‘players must play in their designated age group as determined by date of birth unless special circumstances apply.’. Special circumstances may include insufficient numbers to field a specific age-group team, players being part of a State or National level competition (this player may be permitted to play up an age-group), a request to play in open-age teams (available to males turning 16 years or females turning 15 years or older in the year of competition), or a player playing up or down an age-group due to their physical stature or social awareness.

Written exemptions, sometimes with supporting documents, may be required if requesting to play up or down an age-group, but once again, check with your local club as to their requirements.