Coverage under the policy is funded by the players from their share of CBA revenue. Clubs continue to pay the contract fee of the pregnant player and are subsidised to fund a replacement player without that money counting in their Salary Cap.  

Players who become pregnant are entitled to: 

• Contract security during pregnancy. Even though they can’t play, their contract remains protected. 

• Up to 12 months of paid parental leave (for multi-season contracted players), to the value of their playing fee. 

• If a player’s contract ends during this time, they are covered until the contract expiry date. 

• Safe alternative work if available and suitable (some players may not take this up if they have other jobs). 

Once a player informs their club they are pregnant, they will typically stop playing and training immediately. 

• Clubs can bring in a replacement player to fill their Top 24 squad spot for the season. 

• If the pregnant player is taking parental leave into the following season, clubs are also subsidised to fund another replacement. 

Players who become parents through adoption (of a child up to two years old) or surrogacy are also eligible for parental leave under the policy. This is alongside players who may not have been the carrying parent but are going to assume the primary carer responsibility post birth. 

Players who are secondary carers also receive two weeks of leave from contracted duties following the birth or placement of their child.  

The Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy also covers players who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of a child.

Leave provisions vary depending on circumstances, but the policy recognises these incredibly difficult events and provides appropriate support. 

Every returning player-parent gets a customised return-to-play plan, supported by the club and its Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

The goal is a safe, gradual, and successful return to professional rugby league. Players with multi-season contracts return to their Top 24 squad spot when they come back.

If a player’s contract expired during leave, they are not automatically guaranteed a new deal and enter the free market.  

Carer’s support under the policy is again funded by the players’ share of revenue and covers aspects like support persons for away games and additional travel costs. This support remains available up until a child is the age of two.

Clubs are responsible for ensuring player parents have access to a private area within team facilities, a safe space to feed a child or express milk, and an area for an infant and carer to be able to safely attend training sessions and matches.

Clubs are also required to provide flexibility in schedules for things like lactation breaks for breastfeeding players.  

The policy is reviewed every year by the RLPA and the NRL.

As the NRLW continues to grow, we are committed to expanding the policy to become world-leading. It will continue to evolve based on players’ real experiences, to ensure players can thrive as both parents and professional athletes.

Read more RLPA Policy Positions and FAQs.