The Australian body announced this week it will allow unlimited imports for next season's league as the two countries split from the ANZ Championship and form their own domestic leagues from next year.
There are understood to be concerns within the Steel camp about the future of Jamaican shooting star Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, the adopted local hero who is likely to have some healthy offers on the table from Australian franchises.
But while others might be considering their options before contracts are finalised by Netball NZ later this year, it appears likely the lure of the Silver Ferns bib could be the southern franchise's saving grace.
The likes of Shannon Francois, Gina Crampton and Jane Watson have had huge seasons for the unbeaten Steel and would not look out of place in any Australian side.
But Netball NZ's strict eligibility rules for Silver Ferns selection, which state a player must play for a New Zealand franchise to be considered for the national team, means those players would have to forego the chance to represent their country if they headed off shore, at least temporarily.
Swifts player Laura Langman is the exception to that rule, having signed with the Sydney-based side this year and still being available for the Silver Ferns after reaching an agreement with Netball NZ.
Langman has played 131 tests for New Zealand since her debut in 2005.
But Netball NZ acting chief executive Steve Lancaster said the chances of the rules being bent again were unlikely.
"There's nothing to stop any player coming to us to have a conversation about their playing future but, in Laura's case, the circumstances were very different from what they are now.
"We had a combined New Zealand and Australian championship and she was still going to be playing in the same competition.
"Next year, we're moving into two competitions, so it's quite a different picture.''
The dynamic Crampton, who has been a standout player in this year's ANZ Championship, contributing the second most goal assists, was named in the Silver Ferns squad last year and is on the verge of earning her first cap.
At the age of 24, she could have a promising international career in front of her and it would be a surprise if she put that on hold.
The same could be said of 25-year-old Francois, who has earned 21 test caps and is unlikely to throw away the Silver Ferns bib at this stage.
Defenders Watson and Storm Purvis could also be on the shopping list of one of the eight Australian franchises for next year, although the country has traditionally shown little interest in New Zealand players.
Only Langman and Erena Mikaere, who played for the West Coast Fever, have played for an Australian side in the ANZ Championship.
Purvis has also been named in the Silver Ferns squad and is yet to earn a cap, while Watson was not named in the squad but could be one of four players added later this year.
None of the players mentioned would be in a position to bargain for a Silver Ferns spot and play overseas.
That consideration would probably be reserved for veteran players such as Katrina Grant or Maria Tutaia, who have both played more than 100 tests and have endured some difficult years with their respective franchises.
However, whether they would be wanted by one of the Australian sides, at the expense of developing one of their own players, is another matter.
Veteran Steel player Wendy Frew is a proud Southlander and, despite having played more than 100 ANZ Championship games, would probably struggle to command a place in an Australian side.
Te Paea Selby-Rickit is another player with Silver Ferns aspirations and it would be a surprise if she put her name in the hat to play overseas.
One player who could be scoping out her options is Te Huinga Selby-Rickit, who appears to be a long way from Silver Ferns selection but has enjoyed a strong second half of the season.
Again, though, it would be a surprise if she was favoured over a local player in the Australian league.
