Rules, Entry and Compliance

QPICC sets the rules and policies that govern the carnival, drawing from Queensland Rugby League (QRL) standards and adapting them to suit the cultural and competitive goals of the event. This page outlines how teams, players and staff can enter, and the match rules all participants must follow to ensure a safe and fair tournament.

Note:

In the event of any discrepancies between the information published on this website and the official QPICC Rules 2025 document, the document will take precedence.

QPICC RULES 2025

The QPICC Rules 2025 document is available for download by clicking the below.

Download QPICC Rules 2025

Game Day Process

To help coaches, managers and team staff stay aligned with Section 2 (Part B) of the QPICC Rules 2025, there are two quick-reference visuals that outline the Game Day Process from pre-game to post-match wrap-up.

These items cover:

Pre-game responsibilities
Team dugouts and on-field staff
Post-game reporting

Please review both items carefully and share them with your team. They’re designed to keep things smooth, fair and consistent across all matches.

1 PART A – Administrative Matters

1.1 Entry & Affiliation

1.1.1 Only QLD based Nations are permitted to enter QPICC.
1.1.2 All QLD based Nations must be a registered association with the Office of Fair Trade in the state of Queensland.
1.1.3 Nations must submit a Letter of Endorsement from their recognised international governing body (Asia Pacific Rugby League, International Rugby League Federation or equivalent).
1.1.4 If no governing body exists, provisional entry may be granted at QPICC Management’s discretion.
1.1.5 Nations must complete the QRL Affiliation Agreement to ensure insurance coverage.

Reference: QRL Rules Part 1–3.

1.2 Team Nominations & Fees

1.2.1 Nations may enter junior and senior male/female teams in specified grades as per the following table:

MALE	FEMALE
Under 13	Under 13
Under 15	Under 15
Under 17	Under 17
Under 19	Under 19
Opens	Opens

1.2.2 Senior team entry is conditional on also entering junior teams (minimum two in same gender).
1.2.3 Registration fee: $200 per team, non-refundable, due 24 October 2025. There are no exemptions for late payments.
1.2.4 Team Nominations must meet minimum player registrations as per SEQ Operations Manual to be accepted (i.e. U13+ = 17 registered participants; Opens = 19 registered participants).

Reference: SEQ Operations Manual – Team Nomination Requirements.

1.3 Registration & Squad Lists

1.3.1 All participants (players, coaches, trainers, volunteers) must be registered in MySideline before the carnival.
1.3.2 Nations that enter a team in the specified grades may only have a maximum squad size of 25 players.
1.3.3 Nations are not allowed any participants that are not QLD based residents to participate in QPICC.
1.3.4 All injury replacements must come from within the named 25-player squad. Teams cannot add or request additional players once the carnival has commenced; they must utilise only those already listed in their original 25-man squad.

Reference: QRL Rules Part 4.

1.5 Player Eligibility

1.5.1 All participants must have Pasifika heritage (grandparent link).
1.5.2 All participants must be QLD residents and may be requested to provide proof of evidence to support their residency.
1.5.3 Any disputes regarding heritage will be dealt with by the QPICC Nation Leaders. QRL officials will not have any authority over these matters.
1.5.4 Participants who are currently serving a suspension are unable to participate in QPICC and matches from the tournament will not count towards their current suspension.
1.5.5 Over-40 participants must provide a doctor’s medical clearance before the tournament commences and should be uploaded to their MySideline Profile.

Reference: QRL Rule 4.1.16.

1.6 Code of Conduct & Compliance

1.6.1 QPICC and its participants adhere and uphold the NRL Code of Conduct and QRL Rules.
1.6.2 QPICC is a safe, positive and inclusive environment that has ZERO tolerance to abuse, drugs and alcohol.
1.6.3 Officials/Security reserve the right to remove any persons found to be in breach of QPICC polices, QRL policies and NRL Code of Conduct.

Reference: NRL Code of Conduct + QRL Rules Part 5.

2 PART B – Competition Matters

2.1 Cultural Protocols

2.1.1 Pre-game cultural challenges (e.g. Haka, Siva Tau) are permitted. The coin toss winner will perform first.
2.1.2 Pre-game cultural challenges will be managed by a neutral nation.
2.1.3 All participants must remain behind the 40m line. Any breaches will result in the captain being sin-binned for five (5) minutes at the beginning of the first half.
2.1.4 Challenges must be completed before the scheduled kick-off.
2.1.5 Matches will commence on time; if a challenge runs over, no extra time will be added.

2.2 Game Rules & Competition Format

2.2.1 Matches follow the SEQ Operations Manual except where QPICC specifies otherwise.
2.2.2 Nations are permitted to have a maximum of 25 players in their squad. Only 19 players can be named in each match (13 starting with 6 reserves).
2.2.3 Team Lists must be named within one (1) hour before scheduled kick off.
2.2.4 Unlimited interchanges are permitted.
2.2.5 QPICC will adopt a unique competition points system as outlined below:

GAME DURATION

2 x Twenty (20) minute halves.
Five (5) minute half-time break.
No time off for injuries (in pool games).

COMPETITION POINTS (POOL STAGE)

WIN = 5 points
DRAW = 3 points
LOSS = 1 point
FORFEIT* = 0

*Teams that receive a forfeit will be awarded 3 competition points and 20 points for points differential

GOLDEN POINT

Finals matches will follow the SEQ Operations Manual for golden point matches.
Coin Toss to start the extra time.
1 x Five (5)-minute period of extra time. One (1)-minute break to swap sides.
If teams are still tied, game will continue until a golden point is scored.

2.3 Judiciary & Discipline

2.3.1 Judiciary matters will adhere to the QRL Tribunal Guidelines (Part 5).
2.3.2 Sin Bin Offences are five (5) minutes. Player must report to designated HQ.
2.3.3 A second sin bin offence for the same player will result in a suspension for the rest of the game and an automatic one (1) match suspension.
2.3.4 A player sent off is an automatic suspension from the remainder of the game and will be referred straight to judiciary.
2.3.5 QPICC Match Review & Judiciary Protocols:

2.3.5.1 QPICC will adopt the QRL Part 5 rules in relation to Match Review Committee (MRC). The MRC will be made up of QRL and QPICC officials.
2.3.5.2 All on-field matters will be referred to the MRC by way of an On-Field report completed by the match official.
2.3.5.3 Protests must be lodged in writing within 10 minutes of full time by team manager to QRL officials for matters to be considered by the MRC.
2.3.5.4 All outcomes of the MRC will be communicated to Nation Officials before the commencement of that affected team’s next match.
2.3.5.5 A player has one (1) hour to consider their charge once they have been informed of the MRC charge results. If no response is received; it is assumed that player has taken the early guilty plea and accepted the charge.
2.3.5.6 If a player pleads not guilty, a Judiciary hearing must occur before the affected team’s next match.
2.3.5.7 Nation Leaders will be included on the panel for urgent hearings to ensure fairness and cultural input.
2.3.5.8 A Judiciary may impose penalties (warnings, fines, suspensions, exclusion).
2.3.5.9 All decisions are final for the carnival. There is no further avenue for appeal.

2.4 Trainers & On-field Roles

2.4.1 QPICC will adhere to the NRL On-Field Policy as stated in the SEQ Operations Manual.
2.4.2 The appointed coaches are not permitted to act as trainers.
2.4.3 Match Officials have the right to stop the match if a trainer is found to be loitering on the field during play and not fulfilling their role.

2.5 Player Safety & Medical

2.5.1 QPICC will adhere to the NRL Concussion Guidelines (2023) as stated in the SEQ Operations Manual.
2.5.2 As per SEQ Ops Manual; extra water carriers allowed if agreed (Heat Policy).
2.5.3 Players must leave the field of play for medical attention after two (2) stoppages of play for bleeding.
2.5.4 QPICC will have level 2 sports trainers located in a central area to support team on field staff.

2.6 Match Cancellations & Weather

2.6.1 Only QPICC Tournament Committee may cancel, postpone, or abandon matches.
2.6.2 Referees may suspend play for unsafe conditions. QPICC + QRL officials decide on resumption or replay.

Reference: SEQ Ops Manual – Cancellation & Postponement.

2.7 Player Equipment

2.7.1 QPICC participants will adhere to the QRL Rules requirement for badging and NRL Laws of the Game – Equipment & Safety.
2.7.2 Jewellery and rigid protective gear is prohibited; the match official will have the final decision.
2.7.3 Match Officials may inspect equipment before each match and refer any concerns to QRL officials.

Got questions or need clarification?

We’re here to help. If anything on this page is unclear or you need further info, please contact us here or send an email to: contact@qpicc.com.au. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.