The NRLW is set to enter its sixth season in 2025, with a historic expansion from six to ten teams and a significant increase in the salary cap and player payments. In this article, we will look at the average, minimum, maximum, and highest-paid player salaries, as well as the contract details for the NRLW in 2025.
The NRLW (National Rugby League Women’s) competition continues to grow, and with that comes increasing financial support for its athletes. Here’s a breakdown of the NRLW salary cap, contracts, and information regarding highly paid players for 2025:
NRLW Salary Cap 2025
The NRLW operates under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that outlines the financial terms for players and clubs over a five-year cycle (2023-2027). For the 2025 season, the NRLW salary cap for each club is $1,254,000.
This represents a significant increase from previous years, reflecting the league’s commitment to professionalizing women’s rugby league.
Minimum Wage: In 2025, the minimum wage for an NRLW player is set at $41,800. This minimum wage is part of the broader CBA, ensuring a baseline income for all contracted players.
Contracts and Player Movements
NRLW players are typically signed on 12-month contracts, although clubs now have the ability to offer multi-year deals. This allows for greater stability for players and clubs alike.
Many players have already signed contracts for the 2025 season and beyond. The player market is active, with teams making new signings and extending existing contracts. You can find comprehensive lists of player movements and current squads on official NRL and rugby league news websites.
Some notable players who have signed long-term extensions or new deals for 2025 and beyond include:
- Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers) – Contracted until 2029
- Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers) – Contracted until 2028
- Shanice Parker (Knights) – Contracted until 2028
- Jakiya Whitfeld, Emma Manzelmann, and Lily Peacock (Cowboys) – All contracted until 2028
- Tamika Upton (Broncos) – Contracted until 2027
- Julia Robinson (Broncos) – Contracted until 2027
- Chelsea Lenarduzzi (Broncos) – Contracted until 2027
- Romy Teitzel (Broncos) – Contracted until 2027
- Chloe Saunders (Raiders) – Contracted until 2027
- Grace Kemp (Raiders) – Contracted until 2027
- Leianne Tufuga (Raiders) – Contracted until 2026
- Apii Nicholls (Warriors) – Contracted until 2025
- Tyla King (Sharks) – Contracted until 2025
- Botille Vette-Welsh (Knights) – Contracted until 2025
This list is not exhaustive, and the player market is always subject to change.
Highest Paid Players
While specific individual player salaries are often not publicly disclosed, especially for the top earners, the significant increase in the NRLW salary cap suggests that star players are commanding higher remuneration than ever before.
The average wage for NRLW players is projected to rise to $63,250 by 2027. After accounting for the minimum wages for all squad members, clubs have a portion of the salary cap (e.g., around $180,000 in 2023, which would be more in 2025 due to the increased cap) to top up the contracts of their marquee players. This allows for significant differentiation in salaries for the most valuable players.
Players who consistently perform at an elite level, have strong representative careers (e.g., State of Origin, Jillaroos/Kiwi Ferns), and demonstrate leadership qualities are generally considered among the highest paid. Key positions like halfbacks, fullbacks, and dominant forwards often attract higher salaries due to their impact on the game.
Factors contributing to higher player salaries include:
Position: Certain positions are typically valued more highly due to their strategic importance.
On-field performance: Consistent excellence and match-winning contributions.
Representative honors: Playing for State of Origin or national teams.
Leadership: Captaincy or significant influence within the team.
Marketability: Player profile and ability to attract fans and sponsors.
NRLW Highest-Paid Player
The highest-paid player in the NRLW in 2023 is yet to be confirmed, as clubs are still finalizing their rosters and contracts for the upcoming season. However, based on the previous seasons and the current signings, some of the potential candidates are:
- Isabelle Kelly: The Roosters star centre is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, having won the Golden Boot award in 2018 and being named Dally M Female Player of the Year in 2019 and 2020. She has re-signed with the Roosters for 2023 and is likely to command a marquee deal worth more than $60,000.
- Ali Brigginshaw: The Broncos captain and halfback is another elite player who has led her team to four consecutive grand finals and three premierships. She has also captained Queensland to two Origin victories and represented Australia at the World Cup. She has re-signed with the Broncos until 2025 and is expected to be one of their marquee players.
- Kezie Apps: The Wests Tigers recruit and back-rower is a proven leader and performer at club, state, and international levels. She has won two premierships with the Dragons, captained NSW to three Origin wins, and played for Australia at the World Cup. She has joined the Tigers on a three-year deal and is set to be one of their marquee players.
Conclusion
The NRLW is entering an exciting new era in 2023, with more teams, more games, more exposure and more money for the players. The salary cap increase and the player payments reflect the NRL’s vision and commitment to grow the women’s game and reward its stars. The NRLW is attracting some of the best athletes in the world and showcasing their skills and talents to a wider audience.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How many teams are in the NRLW in 2023?
A: There are 10 teams in the NRLW in 2023, up from six in 2022. The new teams are the Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers.
Q: How many games are in the NRLW season in 2023?
A: There are 11 weeks of NRLW action in 2023, with nine regular rounds and a two-week finals series. Each team will play each other once in the regular rounds.
Q: What is the NRLW salary cap in 2023?
A: The NRLW salary cap is $900,000 in 2023, a 157% increase from $350,000 in 2022. The cap covers the top 24 players in each club’s squad, as well as two marquee players who can be offered full-time jobs outside the cap.
Q: What is the minimum salary for NRLW players ?
A: The minimum salary for all players in a club’s top 24 NRLW squad is $30,000 in 2023, a 25% increase from $24,000 in 2022. This means that players will be paid for a 20-week period, which includes a seven-week preparation period, nine regular rounds, two weeks of finals, and two weeks of annual leave.
Q: What is the highest salary for NRLW players ?
A: The highest salary for NRLW players in 2023 is yet to be confirmed, as clubs are still finalizing their rosters and contracts for the upcoming season. However, some of the potential candidates are Isabelle Kelly, Ali Brigginshaw and Kezie Apps, who are likely to command marquee deals worth more than $60,000.
Q: How much do NRLW players get paid for State of Origin?
A: NRLW players get paid $6,000 per game for State of Origin in 2023, an increase from $4,000 in 2022. The women’s Origin series will expand to two matches in 2023, with one game in Parramatta and one game in Townsville.
Q: How much do NRLW players get paid for winning the premiership?
A: NRLW players get paid a share of $100,000 for winning the premiership in 2023, an increase from $75,000 in 2022. The runners-up get a share of $50,000, while the third-placed team gets $25,000 and the fourth-placed team gets $15,000. The remaining six teams get $10,000 each.
Q: Who are the new teams in the NRLW ?
A: The new teams in the NRLW in 2023 are the Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers. All four clubs submitted a licence application in April 2022 and were granted entry by the NRL in June 2022.
Q: Who are the coaches and captains of the new teams in the NRLW in 2023? A: The coaches and captains of the new teams in the NRLW in 2023 are:
- Canberra Raiders: Darrin Borthwick (coach), Simaima Taufa and Zahara Temara (co-captains)
- Cronulla Sharks: Tony Herman (coach), Tiana Penitani (captain)
- North Queensland Cowboys: Ben Jeffries (coach), Kirra Dibb and Tallisha Harden (co-captains)
- Wests Tigers: Brett Kimmorley (coach), Kezie Apps and Botille Vette-Welsh (co-captains)
Q: Where can I watch the NRLW games in 2023?
A: You can watch all the NRLW games on Channel Nine and Fox Sports in Australia, Sky Sport in New Zealand and Sky Sports in the UK. You can also stream them on Kayo Sports and WatchNRL.