 This season marked the first NBL season that featured the New Zealand Breakers, the first New Zealand team in the Australian competition.Also, the Canberra Cannons were replaced by the Hunter Pirates.The home and away season took place over 23 rounds between 1 October 2003 and 7 March 2004 with semi-finals starting 12–15 March 2004 and grand final on 24 March 2004 until 6 April 2004.