Football Federation Australia is set to take its national second-division blueprint to the market to gauge the interest and financial capability of clubs outside the A-League - and chief executive James Johnson believes it should be "full steam ahead" if the response is strong enough.

It has been three months since FFA's steering committee for the ambitious project, led by board member and former National Soccer League boss Remo Nogarotto, was due to release firmer details on how the proposed second tier - a necessary precursor to A-League promotion and relegation - can get off the ground.

Wollongong Wolves won last year's NPL finals series and would be among the leading contenders to participate in a national second division. Credit:Sylvia Liber

Johnson concedes some vital questions remain unanswered, including how much it will cost clubs annually to participate, and whether the competition should be played in parallel with the A-League in summer or the NPL season in winter.

But Johnson believes the next step is to "test the market", most likely through an informal EOI-style process, to further understand what sort of money interested clubs are able to spend and use that information to help complete financial modelling.