Player Transfer to New Union (International)

Player transfers within Rugby Union are subject to IRB Regulation 4. 6 Movement of Players Between Unions. Particular reference should be made to regulation 4.6.1.

4.6.1 A Player leaving or proposing to leave his Current Union to play in another Union shall not be Registered or eligible to participate in competitions organised, recognised or sanctioned by that New Union until the New Union has received the original version (or a facsimile copy of the original version) of a Clearance.

Player Transfer (from Australia to O/S Union)

Any player wishing to play in another Union overseas must gain clearance from their Club, State Union and the Australian Rugby Union.

It is recommended that this clearance be obtained prior to departure from the player's Current Union.

There are five (5) steps to follow:

1. The player obtains an ARU Application for Clearance (pdf - 50kb) to Play in Another Union.
2. The player completes and signs the Declaration. If the player is under contract with a Club or Union, the player must supply a copy of this contract with the clearance form. If the declaration is not signed by the player, the ARU will not provide clearance.
3. The Club to sign the Declaration. In signing this Declaration, the Club is stating that the applicant is a financial member and is not currently serving a suspension.
4. The Application for Clearance must also be approved by the State/Territory Union stating that the applicant is a financial member and is not currently serving a suspension.
5. The completed and signed Application for Clearance is then forwarded to the ARU to endorse and forward to the New Union.

Note: Applications received by the ARU which have not been correctly completed and/or signed will not be endorsed and will be returned to the applicant!

Player Transfer (from O/S Union to Australia)

Any player wishing to transfer from their current Union overseas to play in Australia must first gain clearance from their Current Union prior to participation within a new Union.

It is recommended that this clearance be obtained prior to departure from the player's Current Union using the following steps.

1. The player obtains an IRB Application for Clearance (doc - 23kb) to play in another Union.
2. The player completes and signs the Declaration (stating that the applicant is a financial member and is not currently serving a suspension) and forwards its to their current club.
3. The club and Sub-Union signs the Declaration (stating that the applicant is a financial member and is not currently serving a suspension) and forwards its to the current National Union to endorse and forward to the new National Union.

Note: Applications for clearance received by the ARU for players wishing to play within our Union will be forwarded to the respective State Unions.

For more information on International Player Transfers contact:

Ali Wells
Community Rugby
Australian Rugby Union
PO BOX 115
St Leonards NSW 1590
Ph:    +61 2 8030 3336
Rcpt: +61 2 8005 5555
Fax:   +61 2 8005 5681
E-mail: ali.wells@rugby.com.au

Player Transfer (Domestic - Within Australia)

Click here for information on the requirements for Domestic Player Clearances.