The award has been presented since the 2008–09 season and the winner is chosen by a vote amongst the members of the players' trade union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA).

The current holder is Tom Rogic, who won the award on 26 May 2022.

[1] The first winner of the award was Everton midfielder Tim Cahill.

As of 2022, only Mathew Ryan and Aaron Mooy have won the award on multiple occasions, and only Mooy has won the award in consecutive seasons.

Mooy has won the award a record three times.