Concussion in rugby league: Perth guide
Reviewed November 2026 by Online Concussion Clinic, a Perth-based telehealth concussion physiotherapy service. How this site is run
Community rugby league in Perth follows the NRL's community concussion policy. Juniors have a longer stand-down and a slower return than adults.
The rules at a glance
- No return that day. A player with a suspected concussion is removed and should see a doctor as soon as possible, ideally the same day.
- Minimum stand-down: 19 days for players 18 and under, and 11 days for adults 19 and over — and only once all symptoms have gone.
- Juniors return to school without symptoms before starting the return to sport.
- Doctor clearance. Only a doctor can clear a player, and only the NRL Head Injury/Concussion Medical Clearance Form is accepted. Clearance is needed before contact training and before playing.
The graded return to rugby league
Every player works through the same stages, moving up only when the current stage causes no new or worse symptoms. Each stage takes at least 24 hours for adults and 48 hours for juniors.
- Relative rest for the first 24–48 hours, then light daily activity.
- Light aerobic exercise such as walking or an exercise bike, at an easy pace.
- Return to school or work without symptoms — this comes before return to sport.
- Running and individual skills, with no contact and no risk of a head knock.
- Non-contact team training at higher intensity.
- Full contact training — only after clearance (see above).
- Return to games, no earlier than the minimum timeframe for your sport.
If symptoms come back at any stage, drop back to the last stage that felt fine and try again after 24 hours. A physiotherapist or doctor with concussion training can guide this and adjust it for you.
Perth and WA clubs
NRL WA clubs and competitions use the NRL community policy and clearance form. Ask your club for a copy of the form before your doctor's appointment.
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.
Who can help in Perth
Clearance has to come from a doctor, but a concussion physiotherapist can assess you, run your graded return, treat dizziness, neck pain and headache, and work alongside your GP or sports doctor.
Browse verified concussion providers across Perth, or find one by area. You don't need a referral to see a physiotherapist privately.
Where this information comes from
- National Rugby League. Community Rugby League Policy and Guidelines for the Management of Concussion, and the Concussion Management & Return to Play guide (2026). nrl.com
- 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
Sport rules are updated regularly, usually before each season. This page was checked in November 2026 — always check the current policy with your club, league or school. This page is general information, not medical advice.