FOOTBALL Queensland has paused its proposed 2027 fee overhaul after a statewide backlash from clubs over fears higher costs could be passed on to families.
But the united clubs say the pause must now lead to a genuine, transparent statewide consultation process before any revised Competition Access Fee model is introduced.
“The pause creates an essential opportunity for further consultation before changes affecting clubs, volunteers, players and families proceed,” the clubs said in a joint statement.
“Before the most significant change to player registration and fee collection in many years is introduced, clubs’ concerns must be heard and addressed.”
Football Queensland said on Friday it recognised further consultation and clearer communication were needed over the model, which would replace its member-based charging system with team-based fees from next year.
FQ said it had paused its approach immediately while its board meets with the Football Queensland Congress in coming days, with a further update to clubs expected early this week.
The governing body said the model had been developed through financial modelling and consultation, partly in response to card-surcharge rule changes, and was intended to simplify fee collection and reduce administration.
FQ maintained the proposal was not designed to increase participation costs, with its modelling showing no material increase in fees paid to the governing body by participants.
The joint club statement said the proposed CAF model risked increasing costs for players and families while shifting greater financial risk, administration and workload onto the volunteers who kept community football running.
Clubs fear the proposed team-based structure could substantially increase their Football Queensland-related bills, forcing not-for-profit organisations to recover the difference through higher registration fees.
