Rugby Admin

Risk & Insurance

Rugby Australia has arranged the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme on behalf of our Member Unions, their Affiliate Unions, Clubs and Referee Associations. Rugby Australia does not hold an Australian Financial Services licence to is relies on the exemption in the ASIC Corporations (Group Purchasing Bodies) Instrument 2018/751 to offer this Programme.

All Clubs affiliated with Rugby Australia and/or the various Member Unions are automatically covered under the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme annually.

All participants (Players, Coaches, Officials) must be registered with Rugby Australia in order to obtain coverage under the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme.

If any entity covered by the Programme would like to receive a copy of the terms and conditions of the insurances included in the Programme, they can contact the Gallagher Sports team (sport@ajg.com.au) who will provide this information free of charge within a reasonable time of the request.

Participation in the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme is compulsory for all Clubs competing in competitions managed by Rugby Australia and/or Member Unions, and a National Participant Levy/Contribution is payable by all Players upon registration.

The amount that needs to be paid per player to access the coverage under the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme is described below.

Individuals or Teams may elect to purchase additional or "top up" insurance benefit for Loss of Income or Non-Medicial Medical Benefits by completing and submitting the below form. NOTE - additional insurance is not available until quoted invoice is paid.

Whilst the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme provides basic levels of cover for players and others participating in Rugby, it is not all encompassing (this is necessary to keep the cost of the protection affordable for all players) and it does not seek to replace the need for other insurances. Rugby Australia does not provide any financial product advice in relation to the insurances in the National Risk Management and Insurnace Programme. Entities and individuals covered by the Programme should consider obtaining their own advice to determine whether it is suitable for them and whether they need to to take out their own private health insurance, life insurance and ‘Top Up’ coverage over and above the coverage provided under the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme.

Capacity exists under the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme to extend cover to a Special Event on a one off or short-term basis. The policy can only be extended with sanctioning approval of the respective Member Union.

Additionally, groups of persons (referred to as ‘Entity Team’) who wish to play and train but not necessarily form, or be part of, a Club, regular Competition or Special Event, may obtain insurance provided that they meet certain requirements.

Rugby Australia does not receive any commissions, fees, remuneration or other financial benefits from the insurer(s) that support the insurances within the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme. Rugby Australia does not charge a margin for its services in arranging for players and others participating in Rugby to have access to the insurances within the Programme. Gallagher is the appointed insurance broker and they may receive commission or other benefits for their role in placing the insurance - see their Financial Services Guide for details.

Rugby Australia (or Gallagher as broker) will give entities covered under the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme reasonable notice:

  • If it is not reasonable for them to expect that the Programme will insure them for the period of insurance that Rugby Australia represented to them; or
  • If one of more of the insurances in the National Risk Management and Insurance Programme is or is likley to be cancelled, discontinued or not renewed and there will be no replacement with another insurance product.

Rugby Australia will compensate covered entities and individuals who are protected by the insurance (including players and others participating in Rugby) if it fails to give them reasonable notice of the above events and they suffer loss or damage as a result of this.

Submitting a Claim

If you wish to notify an incident or make a claim for General Liability, Professional Indemnity or Management Liability, please contact the Gallagher Sport Team (sport@ajg.com.au)and the RA Community Rugby (communityrugby@rugby.com.au) team. More information on these programs is available here.

To submit a claim following a Personal Injury, complete the Rugby Australia Injury Report form and select ‘Yes’ to Make Insurance Claim. The Personal Injury Policy includes an aggregate policy deductible that is managed by the Insurer (SLE Worldwide) for Rugby Australia as part of the National Risk Management and Insurnace Programme. Please note players participating in School based competitions are not eligible to make an insurance claim.

If you require help in submitting an Injury Report and potentially a subseqent Insurance Claim please view the Help Guide

Risk Management

Rugby Australia suggests undergoing risk management processes to proactively identify risks which may result in claims against Rugby Australia Member Unions, Associations, Clubs and Entities.

The Match Day Inspection Document is a risk management tool that should be completed prior to each match day and is designed with amateur sports volunteers in mind to assist with the process of identifying risks on the day and steps to prevent injuries/incidents occurring.

Guidelines for Temporary Structures (Elevated Platforms and Scaffold)

CLICK HERE to access the Guidelines for Temporary Structures. This gives Clubs and Associations guidelines on appropriate set-up, use and dismantling of elevated platforms or other temporary structures, typically used as a filming location at community rugby matches. These guidelines have been developed in consideration of the Public and Products Liability policy in the Rugby Australia Risk Management and Insurance Programme.

It is important to note that other Codes, Rules and/or Regulations stipulated by Local Council or Government may also need to be considered at your Venue

Special Event & Entity Team sanctioning

Special Event

All Rugby Union events, tournaments, and matches conducted outside approved regular competitions, pre-season trials, inter association and/or other representative matches/programs must receive formal sanctioning approval. Member Unions have the authority to sanction events, tournaments and matches which are conducted within their respective jurisdictions.

Entity Team

Associations, incorporated entities, organisations or groups of persons (referred to as ‘Entity Teams’) who wish to play and train but not necessarily form, or be part of, a Club, regular Competition or sanctioned Special Event, may obtain insurance provided that they meet certain requirements related to safety and professionalism.

The following documents are available for download:

Rugby Australia Special Event Guidelines provides detailed information about the requirements for sanctioning, what is required to satisfy the guidelines and how an Event Organiser goes about meeting these standards.

Rugby Australia Special Event Application is to be completed by the Event Organiser (if not already an existing Association in Rugby Xplorer). This will be sent to State and National Admins for approval. This needs to be completed a minimum of 30 days prior to the start date of the event or tournament.

Rugby Australia Entity Team Guidelines provides detailed information about the requirements for sanctioning, what is required to satisfy the guidelines and how an Entity Team goes about meeting these standards.

Rugby Australia Entity Team Application is to be completed by the Entity Team and submitted to Rugby Australia for sanctioning approval 30 days prior to the start of training/ playing.

Rugby AU Event Team Registration Form to be completed for all Players & Team Officials participating in a sanctioned event.