Player Transfers

Player Transfers

Player Transfer (Domestic - Within the Union (BJRU)

There may be practical reasons for players to change clubs. For example, players may trial with one club but end up playing for another in the actual competition or change clubs and unions due to relocating or due to the withdrawal of a team.

A player officially registered with a Club may only change Clubs across the Union with the written permission of the MC. The player is to complete the “Application for Clearance to Play with Another Club” form (See - Annexure I), which can be submitted through the Losing or Gaining Club as follows:

(i) If a player’s clearance is not approved, the gaining Club can then apply to the MC to adjudicate. Primary consideration is the wishes of the player, however, viability of the losing team must also be considered.

(ii) Until Approval has been granted a player is not to play for another Club. However, if both gaining and losing Club Presidents are in agreement for the Transfer to proceed, they can gain verbal approval from the Competition Manager pending submission of the completed Transfer Form within 7 days.

(iii) Payment of Fees etc is a matter for the player and the two Clubs concerned. However the new Club will be required to pay the Player Levy and the losing Club will gain a credit.

(iv) The final player transfer will be made by the Competition Manager through the database system and each club will be notified when this has taken place.

(v) Player Transfer - Time Restriction.

Download the “Application for Clearance to Play with Another Club” form

Player Transfer (Domestic - Within Australia)

It is a directive from the Australian Rugby Union, that any player wishing to transfer between unions/zones must complete the attached ARU Domestic Transfer Application (see below) prior to registering with a new union. All clubs, players, affiliate bodies and relevant staff should be made aware of this directive.

This will greatly assist in the tracking of players within Australia, along with preventing suspended players from simply switching unions to continue playing.

Process - example:

1. A Randwick player wishes to play in Perth.

2. The player completes the Domestic Transfer form

3. Randwick signs the form, which is verification that he is not "under suspension"

4. Randwick/player sends the form to NSWRU (governing union)

5. NSWRU signs the form and forwards a copy to the player along with a copy to the 'New' Union.

Download the ARU Domestic Transfer Application

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 it’s 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 it’s 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:

Leesa Pogson
Rugby Services
Australian Rugby Union
PO BOX 115
St Leonards NSW 1590
Ph: +61 2 8005 5665
Rcpt: +61 2 8005 5555
Fax: +61 2 8005 5684
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.