Alyssa Healy (retired), Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff are not retained from last year’s group.

It has been a rapid rise for Hamilton who was always likely to earn a contract having impressed in her handful of appearances against India and West Indies, but 20-year-old Ainsworth is a notable inclusion having not yet featured in a senior squad.

In the WNCL this season for WA it was her batting which stood out as she made 194 runs at 97.00 including a maiden century while only claiming three wickets in seven matches. In the WBBL for Scorchers she claimed 13 wickets at 28.76 with an economy rate of 7.33, with her overall tally being 40 wickets from just three seasons.

Carey, meanwhile, had earned an upgrade deal during her run of nine matches against India and West Indies where it was her batting that provided the most significant impact including an ODI career-best 49 in St Kitts.

“It’s exciting to see Lucy Hamilton and Chloe Ainsworth earn their first national contracts, which is a testament to the impact and talent they’ve showed at domestic level, while Nicola Carey retains her recent upgrade after some strong performances over the last two series,” national selector Shawn Flegler said.

“While Tayla and Tess aren’t on the list year, we’ll continue to support their development and they are both very much still in contention for selection.

The only player to appear for Australia in the last 12 months not to find a spot on the list was wicketkeeper Tahlia Wilson who made her ODI debut in West Indies last month.

The period covered by the new contracts list includes the T20 World Cup in England, home white-ball series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, an away trip to Sri Lanka and a tour of South Africa which will include a Test match next year.

Players not awarded contracts as part of the initial squad can earn upgrades throughout the year by accruing 12 points. Players receive five points for a Test match, two for an ODI and two for a T20I.

Australia women’s contracts 2026-27

Chloe Ainsworth, Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
In Chloe Ainsworth, Nicola Carey, Lucy Hamilton
Out Alyssa Healy, Tayla Vlaeminck, Tess Flintoff*
*Based on initial 2025-26 list