[1] Thirty-two teams will contest the competition proper.
Macarthur FC are the defending champions.
Member federation teams are competing in various state-based preliminary rounds to win places in the competition proper (at the Round of 32).
All Australian clubs (other than youth teams associated with A-League franchises) are eligible to enter the qualifying process through their respective member federation; however, only one team per club is permitted entry into the competition.
The preliminary rounds operate within a consistent national structure whereby club entry into the competition is staggered in each state/territory, determined by what level the club sits at in the unofficial Australian soccer league system.