[3] Fourteen universities from six states participate in the competition in both men's and women's divisions.

In September 2018, the National Basketball League (NBL) announced a partnership with UniSport Australia to develop a men's and women's national university league.

[4][5][6] Twelve months later, UniSport announced that the inaugural University Basketball League season would commence in 2020.

[3] Eight universities were set to compete in the new student-only league,[8][9] but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was cancelled.

[10] The UBL launched in 2021 with seven universities[11][12] and a four-month schedule,[13] but was forced to cancel its finals due to COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.