Division 1 was reduced to sixteen teams as Eastbourne United left the league and Rye United being promoted from Division 2. Division 2 now featured fifteen teams from which the winner would be promoted into Division 1.
Division One
The division featured 16 clubs, 15 which competed in the last season, along with one new club:
Rye United, promoted from last season's Division Two
Source: Non-League Matters Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. The points system until the 1982–83 season: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.
Division Two
The division featured 15 clubs, 12 which competed in the last season, along with three new clubs:
Source: Non-League Matters Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. The points system until the 1982–83 season: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.