| 1981 NBL season | |
|---|---|
| League | National Basketball League |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Duration | 14 February – 21 June 1982 (Regular season) 27–28 June 1982 (Finals) |
| Number of games | 22 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| TV partner(s) | ABC |
| Regular season | |
| Season champions | St. Kilda Saints |
| Season MVP | Mike Jones (Illawarra) |
| Top scorer | Mike Jones (Illawarra) |
| Finals | |
| Champions | Launceston Casino City (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Nunawading Spectres |
The 1981 NBL season was the third season of the National Basketball League (NBL).