The announcement - made on Friday - had been flagged by Fairfax Media last month.

The move was one of several initiatives recommended by the league's Indigenous advisory group.

The league has also undertaken to provide greater employment opportunities and education to Indigenous people within the game.

AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said there was much that still needed to be done to improve the situation.

"The issue of representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women at all levels of the game remains a significant challenge," Fitzpatrick told the league's website.

"The AFL Commission acknowledges that to further advance the influence and contribution of Indigenous Australians, we must work toward better representation in the governance of the game, including the AFL Commission, AFL club boards, state bodies and the community competitions.

"Currently our game enjoys strong Indigenous representation of approximately 9 per cent in the playing group but improvement is needed it when it comes to representation in other roles."

Football legend Barry Cable has called for greater opportunities for Indigenous coaches. Only two current assistants, and no senior coaches, are Indigenous.