Players who fail a concussion test at the highest level have been excluded from returning to the field for 12 days following the incident.
This will also now apply to community footballers across the county, with a medical clearance needed to pull on the jumper again after the 12 day post-concussion period is up.
The timeframe for a return to the field is also likely to be longer in children and adolescents, where a more conservative approach is important.
AFL Goulburn Murray region general manager Jamie Macri explained the new guidelines, and was pleased that the sport is looking to lead the way in dealing with concussion at all of its levels.
"The earliest that a player may return to play once they have successfully completed a graded loading program and they have obtained medical clearance is on the twelfth day after which the concussion was suffered," Macri said.
"A more conservative approach is required if there is a lack of baseline testing and active medical practitioner oversight of each stage of the graded return to football. The guidelines also outline the importance of a more conservative approach in certain situations including for children and adolescents, players with a history of concussion and where there is a recurrence of symptoms at any stage during the return to play program.
"The next phase around the implementation of the guidelines will be an ongoing piece of work and we will continue to provide support during this process as we appreciate there are still some moving parts.
"We all would appreciate concussion is the biggest risk we face as a sport and I am pleased we are taking a leading position in this space for community football and once again would like to thank all those who have played a role and who will play a role as we enter the implementation phase."
In a statement from the AFL on Tuesday explaining the updated guidelines, the organisation acknowledged the possible limitations at some levels of football with assessing and diagnosing concussion - leading in part to this more conservative approach.
"In considering the best practice management of sport-related concussion, the evidence-based guidelines have been developed by leading medical professionals and put the health and safety of state-league and community footballers first," the statement said.
"Under the guidelines, there is a clear process to be followed for players who have suffered a concussion to return to play, which includes a period of rest, symptom-limited activity, gradual increase in physical activity and a medical clearance prior to full-contact training.
"The guidelines also outline the process for clubs and players to follow when someone is suspected of having suffered a concussion.
"Given the challenges and limitations in assessing recovery, including a lack of baseline testing and a medical doctor to oversee each stage of the graded return to football following concussion in community football, a more conservative approach may be required regarding return to play in a community football setting.
"Medical professionals will ultimately determine when a player is ready to return to full-contact training and playing."
AFL chief medical officer Peter Harcourt stressed the importance of active assessment following a concussion incident, rather than just ticking boxes.
"The focus must be on ensuring that players pass through each of the steps safely (i.e. rest, recovery and a graded return), without a recurrence of symptoms, rather than simply progressing through a schedule," Harcourt said.
"A player who shows symptoms or any signs of concussion during a match or training must be removed from the field of play and assessed, and must not return to that match or training session.
"The next step is that the player must be assessed by a medical professional, then move through each of the steps in the guidelines, and finally receive medical clearance prior to returning to full-contact training."
The AFL has also appointed Associate Professor Catherine Willmott as Head of Concussion Innovation and Research and Rachel Elliott as Head of Concussion and Healthcare Governance.
These new roles will help lead development, research, education, innovation and governance of the organisation's ongoing concussion strategy.
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