What does this concussion test check?

The tool screens three things: the symptoms you’re experiencing now, how you’re tracking on memory and orientation, and whether any warning signs are present that need urgent medical attention. The questions are based on internationally used concussion tools including SCAT6, Child SCAT6 and the Concussion Recognition Tool. It takes about five minutes and gives you a clear next step.

Can you diagnose a concussion online?

No. Concussion is a clinical diagnosis and it needs a person, not a questionnaire. What this tool does is tell you whether your symptoms are consistent with concussion and how urgently you should be assessed. Two people with identical answers can have very different injuries. Use the result to decide what to do next, not to decide you’re fine.

What should I do in the first 24 hours after a head knock?

Stop what you’re doing and do not return to play or training that day, even if you feel alright within minutes. Have someone stay with you for the first night if possible. Rest relatively for the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid alcohol, and don’t drive. Keep screens and activity light rather than cutting them out completely. Then get assessed.

When do I need to go to hospital?

Go to an emergency department or call 000 straight away if there is loss of consciousness, a seizure, repeated vomiting, worsening or severe headache, neck pain or tenderness, weakness, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, double vision, increasing confusion or agitation, or if the person becomes difficult to wake. Any deterioration over the first 24 hours needs urgent medical review.

How long does concussion recovery usually take?

Most adults recover within two weeks and most children and adolescents within four weeks. Recovery is not the same as being symptom free, and returning to sport in Australia follows a graded progression with minimum time frames set by your sport. Around one in five people have symptoms that persist longer, and those cases usually respond well to structured assessment and rehabilitation.

Do I need a referral to be assessed?

No. You can book directly with us. If your GP has given you a chronic disease management plan you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate on some appointments, so bring the referral if you have one. For injuries linked to a motor vehicle accident or a workplace incident, bring your claim details. We write to your GP after assessment so your care stays coordinated.

What happens at a concussion assessment appointment?

Your first appointment runs about 45 minutes. We take a detailed history of the injury and your symptoms, then assess your neck, balance, eye movement and reaction time, using the Sway Medical platform for objective measures. Where appropriate we test how you respond to exertion. You leave with a written plan covering return to school, work or sport, and we send a copy to your GP.

What does a concussion assessment cost?

An initial concussion assessment is $200 for 60 minutes. Follow-up appointments are $150. Private health rebates apply depending on your level of cover. Where a Medicare chronic disease management plan is in place, a rebate may apply. For motor vehicle and workplace injuries, treatment is often covered once a claim is accepted.