| Competition: | National Soccer League |
| Season: | 1985 |
| Dates: | 9 March – 8 September 1985 |
| Winners: | Brunswick Juventus 1st title |
| Premiers: | Sydney City (Northern) South Melbourne (Southern) |
| Relegated: | Penrith City |
| Matches: | 276 |
| Total Goals: | 769 |
| League Topscorer Section: | Top scorer |
| League Topscorer: | Charlie Egan (21 goals) |
| Biggest Home Win: | (28 July 1985) |
| Biggest Away Win: | (17 March 1985) |
| Highest Scoring: | (19 May 1985) |
| Prevseason: | 1984 |
| Nextseason: | 1986 |
The 1985 National Soccer League was the ninth season of the National Soccer League. The season was again played with two Conferences as separate leagues, followed by a conference playoff final. The Grand Final was won by Brunswick Juventus 2–0 on aggregate over Sydney City. The season began on 9 March 1985, and concluded on 8 September 1985.
Twenty-four teams competed in the league (twelve in the Northern Conference and twelve in the Southern Conference) – the sixteen teams from the previous season and eight teams accepted from their respective state leagues.
Note: Table lists in alphabetical order by conference.
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Conference | ||||
| APIA Leichhardt | Lambert Park | |||
| Blacktown City | Sydney | Gabbie Stadium | ||
| Canberra City | Canberra | Canberra Stadium | ||
| Inter Monaro | Queanbeyan | Seiffert Oval | ||
| Marconi Fairfield | Sydney | Marconi Stadium | ||
| Newcastle Rosebud United | Newcastle | Adamstown Oval | ||
| Penrith City | Penrith | Cook Park | ||
| St George-Budapest | Sydney | St George Stadium | ||
| Sydney City | Sydney | ES Marks Athletics Field | ||
| Sydney Croatia | Sydney | King Tomislav Park | ||
| Sydney Olympic | Sydney | Pratten Park | ||
| Wollongong City | Wollongong | Wollongong Showground | ||
| Southern Conference | ||||
| Adelaide City | Olympic Sports Field | |||
| Brisbane City | Spencer Park | |||
| Brisbane Lions | Brisbane | Lions Stadium | ||
| Brunswick Juventus | Olympic Park No. 2 | |||
| Footscray JUST | Melbourne | Schintler Reserve | ||
| Green Gully | Melbourne | Green Gully Reserve | ||
| Heidelberg United | Melbourne | Olympic Village | ||
| Melbourne Croatia | Melbourne | Olympic Park | ||
| Preston Makedonia | Melbourne | B.T. Connor Reserve | ||
| South Melbourne | Melbourne | Middle Park | ||
| Sunshine George Cross | Melbourne | Chaplin Reserve | ||
| West Adelaide | Adelaide | Hindmarsh Stadium | ||
The Australian Soccer Annual 1985 reported seven managerial changes.[1]
| Team | Outgoing head coach | Date of vacancy | Position in the table | Incoming head coach | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide City | Frank Pimblett | 1985 | Pre-season |  Tony Lowndes | 1985 |
| Brunswick Juventus | John Margaritis | Tommy Traynor | |||
| Inter Monaro | — | Josef Procop | |||
| Melbourne Croatia | Tony Vrzina | Tommy Cumming | |||
| Preston Makedonia | Frank McAleer | Willie Murray | |||
| Sunshine George Cross | Billy Wilkinson | John Gardiner | |||
| West Adelaide | Sam Salabsides | Neil McGachey |
Northern Conference
Southern Conference
----
| Award | Winner | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Soccer League Player of the Year | Graham Honeyman | West Adelaide | |
| National Soccer League Under 21 Player of the Year | Alan Hunter | Brisbane Lions | |
| National Soccer League Coach of the Year | Eddie Thomson | Sydney City |