The AFL announced a major restructure on Monday, where it confirmed the loss of about 20 per cent of jobs nationally.

Staff in the Southern NSW were still learning their fate on Monday after McLachlan addressed the entire organisation by video in the morning.

The Southern NSW office employs 11 full-time staff, the large majority of which have been stood down since March.

AFL Southern NSW regional Marc Geppert has been working on reduced hours during that time, and was recently joined back at work part-time by football operations coordinator Tom Walker and Griffith-based development officer Che Jenkins.

McLachlan confirmed that about 20 per cent of staff will be cut under the proposed changes, which now enters a consultation period with staff.

"For our industry and game to emerge stronger from this ongoing COVID-19 challenge and the increased uncertainty we face over coming years, we need to significantly change our business model for not only the AFL but the wider football community. We have very clear priorities that we need to focus on, and I am confident that we have made the right decisions around the structure needed to deliver on those key priorities," McLachlan said in a statement.

"We know that everyone in football is hurting and there are hard decisions being made but we simply cannot shift the burden to our members, supporters or the 1.7 million people who participate in our game, because every family is facing the impact of this pandemic."

The AFL's media department did not respond on Monday to questions about the impact the cuts would have on the Southern NSW office.

McLachlan, however, did not shy away from the fact the AFL will lose a number of employees.

"The reality is that we will lose talented, committed, passionate football people from our organisation and that is incredibly difficult, but this pandemic has forced every business, every family and every individual to take steps that no-one had planned," McLachlan said.

"The necessity of operating differently during the pandemic, along with experiencing a reduction in revenue, has forced us to explore and understand what we can do differently and what we are capable of, and also what we need to continue to achieve to keep the industry strong. I am very grateful for all those who have worked tirelessly to ensure our successful return to play."

The changes will be effective from November 1.

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