[citation needed] The current league was announced by Football Federation Australia at the start of March 2008.

The 2009–10 season saw the addition of Gold Coast United and a team from the Australian Institute of Sport Football Program.

[citation needed] In the 2012–13 season, Gold Coast United were replaced by Western Sydney Wanderers.

In April 2017, the closing of the FFA Centre of Excellence (previously the Australian Institute of Sport Football Program) was announced.

[8] Before the 2017–18 season, it was announced that Canberra United were granted a National Youth League licence.

Four over-age players (including goalkeeper) are also allowed to be selected (except when playing the AIS where it is restricted to two), usually these coming from the senior team.

A-League clubs must draw replacement players for their senior teams from the Youth League squad, except under certain circumstances.

From 2016, all A-League clubs now have youth teams entered into their local conferences of the National Premier Leagues.