The regular season was played between 5 October 2012 and 24 March 2013, followed by a post-season which involved the top four in April 2013.

Broadcast rights were held by free-to-air network Channel Ten and its digital sports sister station One, in the third year of a five-year deal, through to the 2014–15 season.

In New Zealand, Sky Sport were the official league broadcaster, with a three-year exclusive deal being signed.

The NBL All-Star Game was reintroduced to the fixture list after a four-year absence and was played on 22 December 2012 at the Adelaide Arena.

Under this system, Melbourne did not qualify for the playoffs by equalling Sydney's win–loss record, as the latter held advantage in the tiebreaker (2-2, +2 points).