When can a player diagnosed with concussion return to play?

Under the NRL Community Rugby League Policy and Guidelines for the Management of Concussion (effective 3 November 2025), a player diagnosed with concussion cannot return within these timeframes:

• Adults (19 and over): the earliest a player can be made available for team selection, including any other game day roles, is the 11th day after the concussion.
• Children and adolescents (18 and under): the 19th day after the concussion.

In both cases it is only after all symptoms have resolved and a medical professional has cleared the player. All players must complete a 6 stage return to sport program, and children and adolescents must also complete a return to learn program. A player must not return to contact training or games before being cleared on the NRL Head Injury/Concussion Medical Clearance form.