Want to play but you were born overseas?
Spent some time playing overseas and are returning to Australia?
As a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) and Ice Hockey South Australia (IHSA) are bound by their transfer regulations. Find out more below!
- All overseas-born players competing in IHA-designated competitive leagues who were not already playing in a designated league prior to the 2018 year will require a current IIHF transfer.
- Any player who has ever had an IIHF transfer will require a current transfer to Australia in order to participate in any designated league.
- Senior players in non-designated leagues may choose to either
- a) apply for an IIHF transfer, possibly where the $0 options apply or
- b) provide a Stat Dec to declare that they have either
- i) never played elsewhere or
- ii) they have no outstanding debts or suspensions from other leagues.
- All under-age players who are not already under the jurisdiction of IHA will require an IIHF transfer which incurs no cost from IIHF.
Want to play in Australia?
If you were born outside Australia (or have dual nationality) and want to compete in certain leagues or competitions in Australia (see list below) you will need to get clearance from your "home" association / country.
Your home country will always default to your country of birth.
For players born overseas or with a home association outside of Australia, you have two options:
- Ask for a limited transfer, to play here for a set period and then automatically return back to your home association / country.
- Be specific with your start and finish dates otherwise, it defaults to starting as soon as the old country approves via the online system (8 days maximum) until 30 June for the Northern hemisphere or 31 August for the Southern hemisphere.
- Ask for an unlimited transfer, which changes your "home association" to Australia until another transfer is processed. Any future limited / temporary transfers will automatically return here when they expire.
* If you are transferring from USA or Canada, you will need an additional form. See below for more information.
Want to play overseas indefinitely?
If you want to travel to another country to play, and the league is covered by IIHF, you will need a clearance from us to play over there. If you plan to move overseas without a return date to Australia, you can apply for an
unlimited transfer, this will transfer your membership to your new home country/association indefinitely, or until you apply for a new transfer. Any future limited/temporary transfers will automatically return you to your new home country when they expire.
Want to play overseas and then return to Australia?
If you want to travel to another country to play in an IIHF league temporarily, you will need a clearance from us to play over there, and a clearance to return back to Australia at the end of your time overseas.
In the case of a limited transfer, your return clearance is automatic based on:
- a schedule or
- the set time you nominate when you ask for the transfer.
Please keep in mind for limited transfers -
if you change your plans and will be returning earlier than the date listed on your transfer, you will need to
seek a return transfer. Follow the process for an "Unlimited" transfer.
PROCESS & FORMS
For incoming players, you need to
- Complete the IHA Application for an incoming IIHF Transfer
- Provide a copy of your Passport (this will not be retained on file after the transfer is completed)
- Attach a release from your current club to expedite processing, if available.
- For a player coming from Hockey Canada, the Hockey Canada transfer form is required. Note the Club section is completed by the NEW club.
- For a player coming from USA Hockey, the USA Hockey transfer form is required. Note the Club section is completed by the NEW club.
- If an unlimited transfer is being sought, then the IIHF Unlimited Transfer Request Form must be completed.
- If you are seeking to apply article 9.4, then attach the proof of residency
- You email the paperwork to your Australian club secretary who will work with the State/AIHL to have your request processed. Each document must be a separate attachment and legible, as a guide this means a minimum size of 200kB per document.
- IHA will invoice the State/AIHL for all applicable fees.
For Australian players coming home early from a limited transfer, the player needs to complete an unlimited transfer to Australia.
- Complete the IHA Application for an incoming IIHF Transfer with copies of their Passport.
- Attach a release from current club to expedite processing.
- The IIHF Unlimited Transfer Request Form must be completed.
- You email the paperwork to IHSA Secretary who will work with the relevant parties to have your request processed. Each document must be a separate attachment and legible, as a guide this means a minimum size of 200kB per document.
- IHA will invoice the State/AIHL for all applicable fees.
For Australian players coming home for a short period, then returning to your transferred county, the player needs to complete a limited transfer to Australia.
- Complete the IHA Application for an incoming IIHF Transfer with copies of their Passport.
- You email the paperwork to IHSA Secretary who will work with the relevant parties to have your request processed. Each document must be a separate attachment and legible, as a guide this means a minimum size of 200kB per document.
Outgoing players will need to work with their new club, who will contact the overseas association who are responsible for the transfer process.
- Make sure that you specify an end date for the transfer.
- The overseas country will enter the request into the transfer system.
- The system will notify IHA who will confirm your eligibility to transfer by contacting your State/AIHL to
- verify the dates of the transfer
- name of your current team
- and will then approve via the online system which will notify the overseas country.
- At this stage the transfer is complete and you will no longer be allowed to compete in any Australian hockey.
What forms do I need to fill out?
The forms you will need to fill out will depend on the type of transfer. See above for guidance on transfer types.
- For a LIMITED transfer click HERE. This will allow you to transfer to your requested association / country for a set period.
- For an UNLIMITED transfer click HERE and visit page 19. This will allow you to transfer to your requested association / country long term (indefinitely) and will make that your "home".
- Transferring to or from USA or Canada? You will need an additional form.
FAQ
What else is required?
In addition to the forms, you will need to send a good quality copy of your passport. Make sure everything is legible. If you are hoping to get the transfer free of charge, you will need other supporting documentation. (See below)
Where do I send everything?
All forms and supporting documents need to be submitted to our association secretary via email.
secretary@icehockeysa.com.au
How quickly can this happen?
Transfers take up to 7 days to be processed by IIHF. Allow another day for local association to process the transfer request, and keep in mind time differences when lodging (especially when it comes to weekends or holiday periods).
The transfer may take up to 8 days once entered into the IIHF system. If you have not received a reply within 2 weeks, then we suggest that you contact the person with whom you lodged the paperwork to request a progress update.
In the case of transfers into Australia, you can expect to receive a copy of the approved transfer paperwork for your records.
How much does it cost?
ITC costs are currently 300 CHF (Swiss francs) for players aged 19+, paid to the state association when the transfer is approved. (Cost is covered in AUD including GST).
Transfers for 18 and under are free of charge.
IHA does not charge a service fee when the application is complete and ready for processing. All incomplete applications will be returned and may incur a fee of $50 plus GST.
- There is a “Never Played” clause (11.6) for players that have never registered or not registered for more than fifteen (15) years. No costs will be charged for the Transfer.
- If you have lived in Australia for a significant period and can demonstrate residency, you can seek a waiver using clause 9.4. Proof of residency will be required. No costs will be charged for the Transfer.
What leagues are covered by this ruling?
- IHA National Championships
- AJIHL
- AWIHL
- AIHL
- IHACT – all leagues (pending refined list provided by state)
- IHNSW – ECSL
- IHQ – BUIHL Super League
- IHSA – Premier League
- IHV – Premier A
- IHWA – Premier League
IIHF have implemented deadlines that stop transfers in the latter part of a season that might otherwise impact upon the balance of any competition. There is no avenue for appeal.
The Transfer deadline for Southern Hemisphere MNAs is 23.59h (CET) on July 31.
From the IIHF regulations:
- The Transfer deadline for Northern Hemisphere MNAs is 23.59h (CET) on February 15 of the applicable season. The Transfer deadline for Southern Hemisphere MNAs is 23.59h (CET) on July 31 of the applicable season. Should the deadline date fall on a weekend; the deadline date will become 23.59h (CET) on the Monday immediately following the weekend. The IIHF must receive the Transfer approval within the System by the Transfer deadline. The IIHF may extend the February 15th deadline in a Winter Olympic year to enable Player movement after that event is complete.
IMPORTANT: International Transfers must be submitted only when you are ready to play in the New Country. You are no longer eligible to play in your old Federation once the ITC has been approved. For Limited transfers, make sure the expiry date matches your return dates, otherwise, the IIHF standard date (6.06) will be used and a cost of 300 CHF may occur if you require to transfer back earlier.
This information applies to all Federations under IIHF Regulations. As an Australian doing programs overseas, make sure to align with the destination club. They will be in charge of requesting the transfer to their local Federation.
