2016 FFA Cup preliminary rounds
The 2016 FFA Cup preliminary rounds were the qualifying competition to decide 21 of the 32 teams which took part in the 2016 FFA Cup Round of 32, along with the 10 A-League clubs and reigning National Premier Leagues champion (Blacktown City FC). The preliminary rounds operated within a consistent national structure whereby club entry into the competition was staggered in each state/territory, with the winning clubs from Round 7 of the preliminary rounds in each member federation gaining entry into the Round of 32. All Australian clubs were eligible to enter the  qualifying process through their respective FFA member federation, however only one team per club was permitted entry in the competition. Schedule. The number of fixtures for each round, and the match dates for each Federation, were as follows. Format. The preliminary rounds structures are as follows, and refer to the different levels in the unofficial Australian association football league system : Note: Blacktown City FC did not participate in the New South Wales qualifying rounds, as they had already qualified into the FFA Cup as 2015 National Premier Leagues champions. Note: A-League Youth teams playing in their respective state leagues  are specifically excluded from the preliminary rounds as their respective Senior A-League clubs are already part of the competition. Fifth round. 164 teams took part in this stage of the competition, including 153 qualifiers from the previous round and 16 entering at this stage (11 from the NPL QLD (2)). The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round was Endeavour Hills Fire, the only level 7 team left in the competition. Sixth round. A total of 84 teams competed in this round of the competition. The 42 victorious teams in this round qualified for the Seventh Round. The  lowest ranked side that qualified for this round was Killarney Districts. They were the only level 6 team left in the competition. Seventh round. A total of 42 teams competed in this round of the competition. The 21 victorious teams in this round qualified for the 2016 FFA Cup Round of 32. The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round was Wagga City Wanderers. They were the only level 5 team left in the competition.