A new advisory committee has been set up to help steer the A-League back on track and simplify the competition's governance structures while it awaits formal independence from Football Federation Australia.

Four senior club representatives have been seconded onto the committee, which will serve as a de facto commission until the A-League can be legally separated from FFA in three years' time.

A-League chief Greg O'Rourke will now report directly to the four-man 'advisory committee'. Credit:AAP

Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow, Melbourne Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro, Brisbane Roar vice-chairman Chris Fong and Melbourne City vice-chairman Simon Pearce will sit on the panel, which will not have a specified leader.

It is a small change but an important one as the A-League seeks to wrest itself from the sense of inertia that has anchored this season.