player dispensation
The safety of all participants must be the primary consideration in all participation decisions, overriding all other considerations.
Relevant paperwork and procedures can be found here:
https://australia.rugby/…/safety-and-we…/player-dispensation
Relevant paperwork and procedures can be found here:
https://australia.rugby/…/safety-and-we…/player-dispensation
Senior rugby:
Any competition involving players over 18 years of age is classified as a Senior Rugby competition. A player is automatically eligible to participate in Senior Rugby once they have turned 18 years of age. Rugby Australia’s view is that generally players turning 16 or 17 years of age in the calendar year should not compete in Senior Rugby due to their physical development, maturity and experience. However, it does acknowledge that there may be occasions where it is appropriate for a player under the age of 18 to participate in Senior Rugby provided there is a robust procedure in place to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether it is appropriate for the player to participate at that level. Therefore, players that are under 18 years of age that wish to participate in Senior Rugby must gain approval through the Senior Rugby Dispensation Procedure.
Please Note: Players who wish to utilise the Senior Rugby Dispensation process to play in the Front Row (prop or hooker) must also apply for approval from Rugby Australia, prior to participation in rugby, as outlined in Dispensation Schedule B - Exception for Front Row (not required for 7s Rugby).
Players registered to the Junior competition MUST ALSO REGISTER into the Senior competition if playing senior rugby.
Please Note: Players who wish to utilise the Senior Rugby Dispensation process to play in the Front Row (prop or hooker) must also apply for approval from Rugby Australia, prior to participation in rugby, as outlined in Dispensation Schedule B - Exception for Front Row (not required for 7s Rugby).
Players registered to the Junior competition MUST ALSO REGISTER into the Senior competition if playing senior rugby.
age grade dispensation
Rugby Australia's starting policy position is that a player may play in the age group he/she is turning in the relevant calendar year and in the age group one year above, the Size for Age Guidelines and Age Grade Dispensation Procedure allow players to play in the most suitable competition.
Mixed Gender dispensation
Rugby Australia supports boys and girls playing rugby together up to and including the year in which they turn 12 years of age. Rugby Australia is constantly seeking to grow the number of girls’ competitions throughout Australia so that both boys and girls have access to regular rugby. However, where that opportunity for regular rugby is not available, Rugby Australia wishes to ensure that these girls are afforded the opportunity to continue their participation in our game, so long as it is safe for them to do so, through the Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure.
Disability dispensation
Rugby Australia provides the opportunity for players with a physical and/or intellectual disability to play in an age grade that is appropriate to their physical development, ability and experience so long as it is safe for them and others to do so through the Disability Dispensation Procedure.
gender identity dispensation
Rugby Australia is committed to supporting a player's participation in the gender with which they identify, provided that it is safe for them and other participants. In order to ensure safe participation the Gender Identity Dispensation Procedure must be followed.
