The AFLPA promotes and protects its members through initiatives including workplace relations, advocacy, career development, and various community events.

Players' welfare is the primary function of AFLPA, and it aims to ensure the sustainability and integrity of the game by investing in the personal development of past, present, and future AFL footballers.

The AFLPA in its current form was established in 1974 at the behest of players Geoff Pryor (Essendon), Gareth Andrews (Geelong), Des Meagher (Hawthorn) and David McKay (Carlton).

[citation needed] In 1981, a pre-season match between Essendon and Fitzroy was threatened with strike action by the association over the VFL's non-recognition of the body.

The AFLPA followed suit, and signed its first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in tumultuous circumstances, as it worked through the negotiation process with the AFL.

The AFL withdrew recognition of the association in January 1993, prompting a historic meeting of players at the Radisson Hotel in Melbourne.

Through player feedback the association was able to identify the following key areas as its chart for the future: In 1998, the AFLPA achieved a membership of 100 per cent for the first time in its history.

The key principles for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (2003–2008) reflected a responsible attempt to balance the interests of the players with the realities facing the competition.

On 13 October 2009, Matthew Finnis was named AFLPA Chief Executive Officer, replacing Brendon Gale who resigned from the position to become Richmond Football Club's CEO.

In addition to that, he was the sponsorship services manager for the SunSmart and Quit campaigns following his work as a sporting administrator in basketball, sailing and surf lifesaving.

The key principles of the five-year agreement focused on delivering stability and opportunity, ahead of a crucial period where the game will push for unprecedented national growth.

The two-day event, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), was attended by draftees from each of the 17 AFL teams including newly formed Gold Coast Suns.

The 2011 team featured a star-studded line-up of the AFL's top Indigenous players including Indigenous All-Stars captain and Sydney Swans co-captain Adam Goodes, Hawthorn's Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli, Melbourne's Liam Jurrah and new draftees including Curtly Hampton from the GWS Giants and recently named Gold Coast Suns recruit Harley Bennell.

The code is further strengthened by volunteer AFL players who have agreed to a trial of holiday hair testing for illicit drugs—a first in the international sports industry.

[18] Although the code has drawn criticism from the federal government for its three-strikes policy,[19] it received commendations from others who cite it as a "prospect of rehabilitation and caters for medical confidentiality.

"[20] In 2010, the AFLPA supported Anthony Rock with his Accelerate program which provided a unique opportunity for 20 young men rejected by the AFL draft the first time around by putting together an infrastructure of expertise in a bid to keep the game's most talented second-tier players from 18 to 23 in the correct physical and emotional state to win a second chance.

The introduction of free agency does not affect the salary cap, draft system, list sizes, or revenue sharing.

In 2010, the AFLPA requested that the AFL consider relocating games from Etihad Stadium[23][24][25] if the venue's surface didn't improve, following complaints that the slippery grounds were a risk as players were "slipping over like B-grade amateurs.