General 

What is the Illicit Drugs Policy (IDP)? 

• The IDP is a joint policy between the AFL and its players (AFLPA) that aims to reduce substance use and drug-related harm among players through education and intervention to change behaviour. 

• AFL players are one of only a small number of Australian athletes to volunteer to be part of an out-of-competition testing for illicit drugs. Most other Australian professional and Olympic athletes have not volunteered or agreed to be part of an illicit drug policy testing outside of competition. 

How was the policy designed? 

• The policy is designed by independent medical experts. The industry commissioned a review of the IDP, which was completed by leading alcohol and drug consultancy, 360Edge, in 2024. 

• The review provided recommendations to further enhance the policy’s impact and ensure it reflected contemporary best practice. 

• The AFL and AFLPA then worked through the specifics of the policy. 

When does the new policy take effect? 

• The revised IDP will begin when the remaining outstanding matters are resolved between the AFL and AFLPA, including co-designing the education, Behaviour Change Program, and making appointments under the new policy (more details of these are below). 

• Until then, the current IDP framework will remain ongoing. 

Are AFLW players included in the new policy? 

• AFLW players will be subject to hair testing for statistical purposes in 2026 and will be part of the revised policy from the start of the 2027 AFLW pre-season training period. 

How long will the new policy last? 

• The revised IDP will apply from 2026 until 2029. It will be reviewed in 2029, with any changes to come into effect from 2030. 

Who oversees the policy? 

• A joint IDP Committee, including representatives from the AFL, the AFLPA, the AFL Doctors’ Association and addiction/drug policy experts, will oversee the IDP’s implementation. 

• The committee will review, monitor, and evaluate data and consider improvements for the IDP in the future. 

• The AFL will also create a new role, the Illicit Drugs Policy Manager (appointed in agreement with the AFLPA), who will be a clinician and ensure effective implementation of the IDP as well as provide support to club doctors. 

Why is the policy a medical-based model? 

• The recommendations from the review that was completed by leading alcohol and drug consultancy, 360Edge, recommended that harm reduction, with an emphasis on health and wellbeing, should remain the focus of the policy 

What is the difference between the Illicit Drugs Policy and the Anti-Doping Code? 

• The IDP is a voluntary policy agreed between the AFL and players (AFLPA) to reduce substance use and drug-related harms for players through education and intervention to change behaviour. 

• The AFL Anti-Doping Code, which replicates the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) Code, aims to ensure the professional competition remains fair for all participants and free from performance enhancing drugs. 

• Both policies co-exist within the AFL industry, with the IDP managing out-of-competition testing and care, while the Anti-Doping Code is used for game-day detection. 

What happens if players are caught publicly using illicit drugs? 

• Players caught using illicit substances in a public forum will be suspended for two-to-four matches (pro rata for AFLW). 

Who can players go to if they have further questions? 

• Players should speak to their club doctor in the first instance if they have any questions about illicit substances or the Illicit Drugs Policy. 

• However, current players are also welcome to contact the AFLPA directly through info@aflplayers.com.au or their AFLPA Regional Manager. 

How the policy works 

How are players drug tested? 

• Players are primarily drug tested by analysing a sample of their hair. Tests will occur twice per year (once in pre-season and once during the season). 

What happens if a player returns a positive test? 

• In the first instance, players who return a positive test are subject to an individualised assessment and must complete a Behaviour Change Program (BCP) and any other care interventions conducted by the club doctor and/or club psychologist. 

What is the Behaviour Change Program (BCP)? 

• The BCP includes bespoke assessment, education, and care interventions conducted by club medical staff that aim to change the individual’s behaviour. 

What happens if a player returns a second positive test? 

• A second consecutive positive test will result in a player progressing to a Management Plan (MP). 

What is a Management Plan (MP)? 

• An MP includes a comprehensive drug and alcohol assessment to inform an individualised plan and may include a schedule of clinical drug testing (including urine testing) and regular monitoring and assessment by the club doctor. 

• An MP is developed by club medical staff with the support of the Illicit Drugs Policy Manager (IDPM) and AFL medical professionals. 

• Players can also be directly referred to an MP following their BCP Assessment. 

Are there any financial implications? 

• In some cases, a financial co-contribution may be payable by the player towards the costs of their care if they have progressed to a Management Plan. 

• However, there are some instances where a financial co-contribution will be waived. E.g., where a player self-refers to a Management Plan or at the discretion of medical professionals involved in treating the individual. 

How long will players continue in their Management Plan (MP)? 

• Once a player has fully engaged and successfully completed their MP, including complying with any care interventions, they will be formally discharged and move to their Aftercare and Discharge Plan. 

How do players exit the IDP framework? 

• Once a player has completed all their requirements, including education and care interventions, they progress to an Aftercare and Discharge Plan. 

What happens if players don’t comply with the IDP? 

• If all other attempts to engage players in the IDP have failed, they will progress to a Fitness to Play (FTP) Assessment conducted by an independent panel of experts, where they may be deemed not fit to play and/or train. 

What is a Fitness to Play (FTP) Assessment? 

• FTP is an assessment facilitated by an independent panel of experts when all other attempts to engage the player in the IDP framework have failed. 

• The assessment has three possible results: 

• Player is fit to play/train 

• Player is fit to play/train if they re-engage with their MP 

• Player is not fit to play/train 

Can players dispute a positive test result or IDP breach? 

• A player may dispute a matter, such as a positive hair test result or a BCP or MP breach, by applying to the Illicit Drugs Policy Tribunal, made up of members with appropriate expertise.   

• Any appeal may then be made to the Illicit Drugs Policy Appeal Board, also composed of members with appropriate expertise.