How long does a concussion last?
Reviewed November 2026 by Online Concussion Clinic, a Perth-based telehealth concussion physiotherapy service. How this site is run
Short answer
Most people recover from a concussion within about four weeks. Many adults feel better within days to two weeks, while children and teenagers often take longer. If symptoms last more than four weeks, they are called persisting symptoms, and they are treatable.
Typical recovery times
- Adults: often feel better within a few days to two weeks.
- Children and teenagers: usually take longer, up to about four weeks. That's why the Australian guidelines are more cautious for anyone under 19.
- Return to sport takes longer than feeling better. In most Australian community sport, the earliest return to competitive contact is 21 days after the concussion — see concussion rules by sport.
Things that can slow recovery
- A lot of symptoms early on, or severe symptoms
- Previous concussions
- A history of migraine, anxiety, depression or attention problems
- Strict, prolonged rest (staying gently active helps)
- Going back to sport too early, or another head knock before recovering
When to get help
- Any warning sign, at any time: call 000 or go to an emergency department.
- Not clearly improving after a few days: see a GP or a physiotherapist with concussion training.
- Dizziness, neck pain or headache after about 10 days: neck and vestibular rehabilitation can help, so there's no need to wait.
- Symptoms after 4 weeks: read concussion symptoms still there after 4 weeks.
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.