The Australian Rugby League Commission has made a series of major changes to playing and eligibility rules after a commission meeting on Tuesday.

The changes include scrapping of the controversial benefit of the doubt rule and a dramatic overhaul of the decision-making process for awarding tries.

From the start of the 2013 NRL season referees will make an on-field call in relation to all try-scoring situations, and if in doubt will signal `time out' and refer to the video referee.

However the video referee will only change the on-field referees' original decision if there is sufficient evidence to suggest that decision was wrong.

The meeting also decided to make a major change to the rules determining State of Origin eligibility.

From 2013 no player will be eligible to play for New South Wales or Queensland unless he has lived in that state before the age of 13.

The father-son loophole will remain, however.

The player must also be eligible to play for Australia.

"State of Origin is an incredibly important part of the game and the heart of the concept is a person's state of origin," ARLC chairman, John Grant, said in a statement.

"It is fundamental therefore that the concept is preserved on that basis, simply because it is so unique.

"The Under 13 cut-off is one that has been put forward by the general manager of game development, Andrew Hill, after consultation with greats like Wayne Bennett, Bob Fulton and Tim Sheens, the state leagues and the Origin coaches."

The ARLC also clarified the definition of what will constitute an illegal shoulder charge.

"Where a defender, without attempting to tackle, grab or hold the ball-carrier (or any opposing player) using the arms or hands, makes direct physical contact using the shoulder or the upper arm (tucked into the side)," the commission's statement read.

ABC / AAP