The runners-up of last season (SKVICH Minsk) lost the promotion/relegation play-off to Torpedo Zhodino (11th-placed Premier League team) and both clubs stayed in their respective leagues.
Veras Nesvizh withdrew from the league and disbanded due to lack of financing. They were replaced by Klechesk Kletsk, who finished 3rd in last year's Second League.
^Klechesk were denied First League licence for 2012 due to financial troubles.
Promotion play-offs
The runners-up of 2011 Belarusian First League Partizan Minsk played a two-legged promotion play-off against the 11th placed team of 2011 Premier League (Vitebsk) for one spot in the 2012 Premier League and won the series 3–2. As a result, Vitebsk were relegated to the First League and Partizan promoted to Premier League. Partizan, however, were unable to start the next season due to bankruptcy and were disbanded.