Children with suspected concussion will be sidelined from contact sport for at least two weeks after a landmark policy was unveiled by Australia's leading medical and sporting bodies.

The Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Medical Association launched a joint initiative on Saturday recommending greater precautions around potential concussion – particularly when it comes to young heads.

Joe Meagher, 12, with parents Dr Elizabeth Meagher and Alan Meagher at Riverview College. Credit:James Brickwood

"It is the commonsense approach absolutely," said St Vincent's Hospital doctor Elizabeth Meagher, who was watching from the sidelines on Saturday as her son, Joe, played rugby for Riverview Under 13s at Lane Cove.

Mrs Meagher said "several" of her eight sons had previously been knocked unconscious on the rugby field, the latest only a fortnight ago. "If you're knocked unconscious and it's going to bleed there, you don't want to be hit again. Two weeks out should always be the minimum."