Concussion information
Reviewed November 2026 by Online Concussion Clinic, a Perth-based telehealth concussion physiotherapy service. How this site is run
Concussion is a brain injury caused by a knock to the head, face, neck or body that jolts the brain. You don't have to be knocked out to have one. Most people recover within about four weeks, and the right care early makes a real difference.
These guides follow the latest international consensus on concussion (Amsterdam 2022) and the Australian Institute of Sport's 2024 concussion guidelines, which most Australian sports now follow.
Guides
Concussion rules by sport
Minimum days and who can clear a player, for community sport in Perth. Compare all sports
- Australian football (AFL)Minimum 21 days, doctor clearance.
- Rugby union21 days for 18 and under, 12 days adults.
- Rugby leagueDoctor clearance on the NRL form; longer for juniors.
- Football (soccer)14 days symptom-free, 21 days before matches.
- Netball21 days; doctor or concussion-trained physio can clear.
- Hockey14 days before training, 21 days before playing.
Common questions
Work injuries, car crashes and claims
- Concussion at work (WorkCover)What to do, the claim process, and returning to work.
- Concussion after a car crash (ICWA)Reporting the crash, ICWA claims and treatment approval.
- FIFO and regional workersOn-site care, telehealth and getting back on roster.
- For insurers, case managers and employersWhy early care matters and how to find a provider fast.
Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department if there is:
- Loss of consciousness, or getting drowsier or harder to wake
- A seizure or convulsion
- Severe or worsening headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Neck pain or tenderness
- Double vision or loss of vision
- Weakness, tingling or burning in the arms or legs
- Increasing confusion, agitation, restlessness or unusual behaviour
- A visible deformity of the skull
For children, the emergency department at Perth Children's Hospital (Nedlands) is open 24 hours. If you're unsure, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24 hours) for nurse advice.
Find concussion care in Perth
Browse verified concussion providers across Perth — physiotherapists, GPs and neuropsychologists — and use the map to find one close to home. You don't need a referral to see a physiotherapist privately.
Where this information comes from
- Patricios JS, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport – Amsterdam, October 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2023;57:695–711. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2023-106898
- Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6), from the same conference.
- Australian Institute of Sport. Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement 2024, and the Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport. ausport.gov.au/concussion
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Your own health professional's advice comes first, and your sport or school may have its own concussion rules.