Concussion in sport
Recognise a possible concussion, prioritise medical assessment and understand why returning to learning and sport requires a staged plan.
Suspect concussion? Stop playing.
Remove the person from play and arrange prompt medical assessment. Do not allow a same-day return when concussion is suspected. Call 000 for serious deterioration, seizure, reduced consciousness, repeated vomiting, severe worsening headache or new weakness after a head injury.
A brain injury that needs a plan
A force transmitted through the head or body can cause concussion. A person does not need to be knocked unconscious. Symptoms may affect thinking, balance, mood or physical comfort. An online checklist cannot clear someone to play.
Returning to learning and activity
Follow the treating clinician’s advice about initial relative rest, everyday activity and a gradual return to learning, work and exercise. Children should return to school before returning to sport. Contact and collision activities require medical clearance.
Australian community and youth sport guidance uses a conservative approach: 14 days free of symptoms at rest before contact training and at least 21 days before competitive contact sport. These are minimum safeguards, not automatic clearance; governing-body rules and the person’s recovery may require longer.
When symptoms continue
Arrange follow-up for symptoms that persist or interfere with school, work, sleep or balance. Rehabilitation may involve several professionals under an appropriate medical plan. Keep the school and coach informed of the written restrictions.
- Who is supervising recovery?
- What is the next safe stage?
- Which symptoms mean we should stop or seek reassessment?
Explore related guides
Planning care in Melbourne’s north
For people in Epping, Mill Park, Lalor, Reservoir and surrounding suburbs, Muscle Joint Bone is located at 26 Childs Road, Epping. Ask the team which appointment is appropriate and confirm practitioner availability before booking.
Sources and further reading
- Australian Sports Commission: concussion guidance
- Royal Children’s Hospital: head injury guideline
- Northern Spinal: original concussion topic, historical advice superseded
Education updated 2 November 2026. Source topics have been rewritten; older source advice is not automatically endorsed. This guide cannot diagnose symptoms or replace individual healthcare advice.
