The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a document agreed to by RUPA with the Rugby Bodies (the ARU and the State Unions), which governs the terms and conditions of the employment of professional rugby players in Australia. As such, the document is responsible for detailing items such as but not limited to:

• Training and playing conditions and obligations;
• Player payments;
• Annual leave and rest periods;
• Minimum levels of health and accident insurance; and
• Treatment of players’ image rights.

The first CBA was struck in 1996, with the second in 2001. The current CBA is the third evolution of the document, and was agreed to in late 2004 and is applicable until January 2016.