The National Soccer League 1987 season was the eleventh season of the National Soccer League in Australia. The season saw the format returned to a single league of thirteen teams instead of the two-conference system. Sydney City SC withdrew from the competition after round 1, reducing the competition to 13 teams. The finals series was also removed with the championship determined by a first past the post, won by APIA Leichhardt.
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers | 24 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 39 | 21 | 35 |
| 2 | Preston | 24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 32 | 22 | 29 |
| 3 | St George Saints | 24 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 31 | 24 | 29 |
| 4 | Marconi Fairfield | 24 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 41 | 25 | 27 |
| 5 | Sydney Croatia | 24 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 31 | 25 | 26 |
| 6 | South Melbourne | 24 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 32 | 34 | 25 |
| 7 | Sydney Olympic | 24 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 29 | 32 | 23 |
| 8 | Brunswick Juventus | 24 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 18 | 23 | 23 |
| 9 | Melbourne Croatia | 24 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 22 | 30 | 23 |
| 10 | Adelaide City | 24 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 29 | 23 | 22 |
| 11 | Footscray JUST | 24 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 27 | 22 |
| 12 | Sunshine George Cross | 24 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 26 | 42 | 15 |
| 13 | Heidelberg United | 24 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 25 | 44 | 13 |