Women's sport is riding a wave of success and netball want to be at the front, according to Netball Australia boss Kate Palmer.
An all-Australian league will next year replace the current trans-Tasman competition, with the New Zealand teams dropped in favour of three new local franchises.
AFL powerhouse Collingwood is behind one team, while another will be supported by NRL's Melbourne Storm but based on Queensland's Sunshine Coast where their feeder teams play, and the other is a joint initiative of Netball NSW and the Greater Western Sydney AFL club.
They will join the five existing Australian teams; the Queensland Firebirds, Melbourne Vixens, NSW Swifts, Adelaide Thunderbirds and West Coast Fever.
Netball Australia was forced to break away from the low-rating New Zealand teams and bolster the local content to secure a five-year broadcasting deal.
Two games will be shown live and free to air on Nine Network's digital channel Gem, while another two games will be broadcast live on Telstra TV, and shown on Gem on delay.
This means netball's audience will grow considerably on the back of such increased exposure, with the game currently only available on pay TV.
"In the future, this day will be regarded as the beginning of full professionalism in Australian netball," Palmer said.
"It lays the foundation for the full professionalism of elite netball.
"We need to have a high profile to compete as women's sport becomes more competitive ... we liken it to being on the front of a wave.
"We've got that spot and we want to stay there and we've got the partners now who can help deliver that."
Netball's new deal, believed to be worth several million dollars, follows the success of the women's Big Bash League cricket, while the AFL's women's competition will be up and running next year.
John Wylie, chair of the Australian Sports Commission, lauded the deal as a massive boost for women's sport.
"This is a red-letter day for netball and women's sport," Wylie said.
"Together with recent developments in cricket and football, these are the dividends of a long struggle for proper recognition of women's team sports."
Netballers across the globe will be scouted for the cashed-up Australian competition with approximately 35 additional players needed before the February start date.
While spots will predominantly be filled by young talent from the existing second-tier Australian Netball League, Palmer said she wanted the best in the world playing in the competition.
Kiwi Test players however are off limits, with the Australians agreeing not to weaken New Zealand's own new national competition, which includes their five current teams plus another based in greater Auckland.
